| The marriage of computer and telephone | | | | charge for this service, and you may have to sign |
| technology goes by the funny name of VOIP | | | | a contract committing you to that provider for a |
| (Voice Over Internet Protocol). But the cost | | | | specified period. |
| savings are no laughing matter. | | | | Using an ATA for Internet phone calls is |
| The Simplest Solution -- Headphones | | | | straightforward. You pick up the phone and dial a |
| Attach a headset to your computer's sound card | | | | number. Anyone calling you won't even know that |
| and you can try VOIP for free! | | | | you are using VOIP. |
| Download any one of the many VOIP software | | | | A computer is not needed for this kind of link. It |
| packages -- Skype, Gizmo, Free World Dialup, and | | | | connects to either a DSL modem linked to your |
| Net2Phone are some of the big names. Install and | | | | phone line or cable modem attached to your cable |
| invite your buddies to install the same software. | | | | television connection. Any traditional telephone can |
| It's that easy to set up. Special features like call | | | | also be plugged into an ATA. |
| display, call forwarding, voicemail, and conference | | | | You can even take your ATA with you when |
| calls are also free as long as both parties are | | | | you're traveling and receive phone calls from |
| using computers. | | | | anywhere by connecting it to any broadband |
| It's even easier to use. Just click on a name to | | | | modem. Calls to your home phone number will be |
| start a call. Most of these so-called "soft phones" | | | | routed to your ATA (which has a unique |
| allow you to place and receive calls at no charge | | | | identification) at the same cost as the call to your |
| to and from anywhere in the world, so long as | | | | residence. |
| you are not connecting to cellular or landline | | | | IP Phone |
| phones. | | | | The final VOIP option is an IP phone (not the |
| Internet Phones | | | | same as an Internet Phone). IP phones plug |
| The next step up from headsets is Internet | | | | directly into the modem; Internet phones plug into |
| phones. They plug into the USB port or sound | | | | the sound card or USB port of your computer. |
| card of your computer. | | | | An IP phone is a handset that has all the |
| Because you still need VOIP software installed on | | | | hardware and software built into it. You connect |
| your computer to make and receive calls, these | | | | an IP phone to a broadband modem, then make |
| phones are also considered soft phones. But they | | | | or receive calls the same way that you would |
| seem more like "real" telephones because they | | | | with an ATA. |
| ring, have regular number pads and are used like | | | | The advantage of an IP phone over an ATA is |
| conventional phones. | | | | that it is a completely integrated unit. You don't |
| Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) | | | | need an extra telephone to plug into it. Another IP |
| Progressing up the VOIP ladder, ATA is next. It | | | | phone advantage is that your phone numbers are |
| allows you to connect a regular analog telephone | | | | all stored and the display screen provides |
| to a broadband modem. It is usually free when | | | | information about incoming calls. |
| you sign up with a provider, similar to signing up | | | | There you have it: 4 choices that will all add up to |
| with a telephone company. There is a monthly | | | | substantial telephone savings. |