Free??, not in the 21 century!!!
Written: Apr 08 '02 (Updated Jun 24 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: If you have a clear connection, and if you credit card gives you cash back
Cons: Free lunch is getting less and less.
The Bottom Line: It has stable connection, cheap rates. But, don't expect longer minutes in net2phone anymore
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| stse's Full Review: Net2Phone |
Before Net2phone, there was a dialpad, dialtree, and all other free pc to phone, pc to pc software.
It's pretty neat that you can call someone by using a pc, and the other party just received a call from original phone.
Software
Speaking of software, it has to be related to windows these days. Most users are using windows. It's very easy to install it. Best of all, it is free to download. Of course, if you have broad band connection, it is much faster to download. Speaking of connection, do not attempt to use it with a dial up connection or you get frustrated more over the dial up connection because it is only 58k modem speed.
Trick
How to have a clear connection? Many people thought just have a clear broad band and you are ready to go. As a matter of fact, when communicating, you must use your pc microphone and speakers. Most users are experiencing echoes due to the fact that either their speakers is too closed to their microphone. It creates annoying echos. Sure, the software said that you can adjust the volume, stay away from the speakers and/or use a head set instead. Using head set is good, but it will create echoes. There is one trick that works 90% to the clear connection. Put 2 sound cards in your computer. Most systems have full duplex sound cards in the systems. But there is only one. Sometimes it still creates echos. Full duplex will act like a phone, when a half duplex sound card will act like walkie talkie. However, many full duplex sound cards don't do what it says. To fully bullet proof your clear connection, put another sound card (doesn't matter full or half duplex, take one from the old computer is the best), then set them up for playback for the speakers, and recording for another sound card. That will 100% eliminate the echos. However, for connection itself, sometimes you may have problem because of the traffic even if you have broad band.
Starting out
I was following the technology since the birth of PC. I was overjoyed with all the goodies, not just goodies, they are free stuff especially in the late 90s. Free money, free stuff. You play games, you get money, you put an ad, you get $20 a month just like that. Now, no more, all banner ad will get you pennies instead of dollars. It takes forever to make a quarter. Even with net2phone, I was delighted. When it first started, free, unlimited, it was much better than dialpad because its stand alone software. I was using the other free pc-to-phone at the same time. I-connect or deltree.com all are getting worse. They started charting net2phone stays free for a while.
The turmoil
Later, it becomes only available for US users to use it. Overseas users can not dial in can call you internationally. No more overseas trick. Ok, I could live with that, I didn't do too much long distance anyway. Then, they changed to 5 mins. minimum!!! Hey, 60/5 is 12. If i have to talk to people within united states in an hour. Dialing 12 times ain't bad at all. Besides, the connection gets you connect fast. It's unlikely I won't get connected. Now it comes the worst news. Now it's only 2 mins limited. It's like right after you call someone and greet, and you have to say bye or redial.
The Good
cash back from your credit card
If you have exxon credit card or any card that gets you 1% cash back. You may want to try it because it accept credit card where most phone companies will send you a bill instead.
Always connect
Like I mentioned before, I always am able to use it without problem. The connection is pretty stable
Rates
The rates are pretty cheap, better than phone company especially in long distance. Locally it is like 1 cent per minute anywhere in the united states
Conclusion
Use it when you have
1. Cash back credit cards
2. 2 sound cards in your system
3. stable broad band and/or ISP
4. Trust using credit cards over the net.
Otherwise, Free net2phone is dead.........
*** New Update***
As of July 2002, there will be no more Free call, not even 2 minutes!!!!
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
stse
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Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 108
Trusted by: 27 members
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