Firetalk has got to be the BEST internet telephony freeware ever introduced on the internet. Provided that you use a headphone+mic or a headset, you will get voice clarity as good as the phone!

Firetalk is a free software that enables voice chat on the internet, similar to Mediaring, Net2Phone, and Netmeeting. Firetalk has a very simple, no-frill interface and delivers all the basic features of an internet telephony software. That's fine with me, since what I really need is one that gives good performance, not good looks.

Some of the features include:
-Forumn chat-you can join in anytime(unless it's a private chatroom)
-Status indicator
-Call a specific user directly
-Voice Mail
-Add/Find contacts
-Block users
-Internet detector( so that it will automatically connect when it detects that you are online)
-Both full duplex and half duplex mode

One very useful service is a special Support Forum where you can do a voice test once you have it installed. A Firetalk personnel will always be around to respond to your voice test and tell you if your voice quality is as good as it should be. They also answer any questions or solve any technical difficulties you may be experiencing. Definitely very friendly customer support.

Another feature of Firetalk that makes it my best choice for telephony chat is that it can go pass a firewall. The ethernet connection in my college is behind a firewall and everytime I need to voice chat, I have to reconnect to an alternative ISP and succumb to a slower modem connection. With Firetalk, anyone with this problem can now voice chat even if you're behind a firewall.

There's only one thing short about Firetalk - unlike Dialpad.com,it is not made to call to a telephone. Only inter-computer connection is possible. We really can't expect too much from such good voice quality(Dialpad's voice quality has degenerated since it was first launched)

Once installed the wizard will guide you through all the settings(it even asks you if you're behind a firewall), which is why it is HIGHLY USER-FRIENDLY. Like any other voice chat software, voice quality can be improved by using a headset or headphone. This is because noises coming from a speaker will be picked up by your mic and end up causing an echo in the connection. So, go get a headphone!

ADVICE: hurry up and get Firetalk before everyone else does because, like any other telephony freeware, increased users will result in net congestion. So get the best of it before it looses voice quality.(Like Mediaring and Dialpad)




Recommended: Yes