Hmm... free long distance? I'll try it!
Written: Apr 10 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Free long distance
Cons: That lag problem...
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| GarnathDragon's Full Review: MyFreeLD |
I was surfing aimlessly about the internet, looking for a way to make my PC answer phone calls when I ran across this by accident.
I looked at it because I am all about saving money (hey, after all, I'm a college student! I'm definitely not made of money!). I rarely make long distance calls; I wasn't into the idea of paying $6-10 a month for something I rarely use, I don't really like the 1010XXX numbers because it gets expensive when I DO make the calls ($9 for 2 hours to a good friend in CO), and I saw that I could make free long distance phone calls with this if I would make one sacrifice (I.M.H.O.):
I needed to download, install, and run Micro$oft NetMeeting 3.0 to get their service to work.
I accepted that and followed the instructions. Then I tested it out by making a local (to me, that is) phone call to my parent's phone in the living room. It worked on the second attempt. I had telephone-quality sound coming through my speakers.
Of my 15 calls attempted, 13 went through. That is a good rate for a free service. Most free ISPs (or the paid ones: see the GTE InterNet reviews by most of the people who reviewed it!) can't boast that kind of service.
My only faults with the service?
It has about 1 second of latency (the dreaded "LagMonster"), it doesn't warn the person being called that this will occur, and it can't receive incoming calls.
My own mom cursed up a blue streak until it picked up my voice and carried it across. That happened because I don't hear any ringing, indicating that the call is in progress, and when she picked up, there was that one second delay from her saying "Hello?" to me hearing it and being able to reply.
In short: It's worth a try, but I recommend using a real phone when you deal with business calls or irate people (one in the same? you decide...)
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
GarnathDragon
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Location: Tampa, FL, USA
Reviews written: 37
Trusted by: 4 members
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