| reply to centric
Re: FWD-Free world diapup, how does it work? I wouldn't be surprised if you get a number of other replies. And I also wouldn't be surprised if someone points out someplace that I "simplified" things too much (i.e. explained the general idea, but someone happens to know the exception that proves the rule). However, FWIW here's FWD (and VoIP) 101...
VoIP is a way to send voice over "data" (internet) networks. You can either do this with a program on your computer, or get a stand-alone device (such as a CISCO ATA-186, a Sipura adapter, a GrandStream phone, etc) that you simply hook up to the (broadband) internet in your house (in much the same way you would hook up a 2nd computer to your home's internet connection).
Many of us prefer the hardware adapters, over the computer programs; because they are generally "friendlier to use" (at least after they are setup), the sound quality is often better, and you are no longer tied to your computer (but can instead use all the features of the "normal phone" of your choice). The CISCO ATA-186 is one such adapter, although many feel that cheaper and better adapters are now on the market. For example, my current favorite adapter (for its mix of price/quality/features) is a Sipura SPA-3000, available for about $100 from Voxilla.com).
Which brings us into how FWD comes into the picture. While these "SIP devices" (either VoIP programs, or hardware adapters) are usually (by their design) "peer to peer" (in that you can call directly between these devices, bypassing all "3rd parties" including FWD), it is generally a pain to setup all the details for a "direct link" between "internet phones". But it is a lot easier to just dial a "phone number" given out by some 3rd party, and get connected. In general the call still goes directly between the two parties in the call (there are exceptions to this rule, especially if/when "proxies" are involved), BUT the 3rd party (in this case FWD) works as a "phone book" of sorts, translating those "phone numbers" into the gory details of where the other "phone" is currently residing on the internet.
So can you DIRECTLY dial "normal" (telco) phones from FWD? NO, you can't. FWD "numbers" are for connecting to other FWD numbers (i.e. others with "internet phones" who have signed up with a free FWD account). In this case, FWD is simply a way to give a short "number" for some VoIP user, instead of having to deal with all the complications of where their system is currently residing on the internet.
Now, that said, FWD also has a lot of "peering" (interconnect with other networks). First off, there are a number of other "VoIP networks" that are "peered" with FWD, so you can call (and be called from) anyone with one of those other "numbers" for free, by entering an extra "peering code" (similar in function to entering an area code in the normal phone system, to connect to someone "out of area"). Likewise, FWD has an "outbound toll free" proxy, that will let you call normal 800/888/877/866 numbers "for free" (just like you could with a normal phone). So you could use a pre-paid "phone card" (that you call via an 800 number) to call "normal numbers" from FWD. Finally, there are some places (such as »www.ipkall.com ) that will give you free inbound phone numbers (that "ring" your FWD line), so others on the "normal phone system" can call you.
The above is pretty much how FWD fits in. However, you can also use VoIP to get discounted LD. This is not done through FWD (which is a FREE service primarily for calling internet to internet), but it is an option. And don't expect any of these services to be "free", but the cost is frequently cheaper than phone rates with "normal phones". As one extreme example, I only pay $11.99/month for my dialpad.com "unlimited" (I think someone said there really was a "hidden limit" of 3000 minutes/month) residential LD calling service. This gives my family pretty cheap calling (to normal phones), whenever they choose to call. And for those doing less calling/month (or as a "backup", in case your primary provider is having problems), there are always services like the Teliax.com "pay as you go" plan (which is a flat rate 2 cents/min to normal USA numbers). Again, this is NOT "free world dialup" now (these are commercial services), but they are options to call "normal phones" (at a lower cost than a traditional phone call would be).
And finally, with the right software and/or hardware, you can combine these services to meet your needs (NOTE: The CISCO ATA-186 is an older device that only allows ONE service to be entered/used, so you can NOT combine services if you are using a CISCO ATA-186 to connect). For example, imagine combining all the best features of FWD (a nice free service, for calling internet to internet) with all the best features of a discounted LD service (for calling normal telco numbers "cheaply"). In my case, I don't even have to imagine it, as I'm already living it!
What I did, was take a Sipura SPA-3000 adapter (picked partially for its flexibility to handle multiple accounts on the same "phone"), and set it up for ALL of the following services: 1) Make and receive FREE calls from FWD (and any FWD "peering partner"), 2) Receive normal telco user calls via my free IPKall.com inbound phone number (again at no cost to me), 3) Call out to normal USA phone numbers via my DialPad.com residential "unlimited" account (flat rate of $11.99/month), 4) Alternatively, I can also use my Teliax.com $0.02/min account to make a call (for example, if dialpad is down for some reason), 5) Or I can also call into the free voice "conference rooms" of SIPphone from my "phone". And all of this is doable on the same "phone line" (I wired my SPA-3000 into the phone wiring in my house), so that anyone in the house just sees "Line 2" (my VoIP "line") as a "phone line" with all these features available!
As to your question about how easy it is to setup these adapters, that really depends upon your needs, and how complicated your setup (including internet issues) is. In general these adapters can be a pain to setup (think about the difficulty of programming a VCR to record you favorite shows while you are away, and you begin to get the idea), especially if you want to do fancy "combo setups" like I did. However, services like FWD do make setting up the adapters a lot easier then doing things fully "peer to peer". Also some places already have "suggested setups" and/or "wizards" to help you configure things. For example, Voxilla.com has free (although you do need to register with them for a free account to use them) web based "Wizards" that will ask you a number of questions, and then configure your adapter for you (assuming you are using one of the adapter types they sell). So in many cases, getting up and running (with a minimal setup) is often pretty easy. Of course, there is always the chance that you have specific needs not met by the default/recommended settings (in which case expect a painful time setting up the advanced settings manually). But however you get the setup done (via an easy "wizard", some "recommended settings" web page, or manually "the hard way"), the final result is that things should work "naturally", allowing you to use the phone as you are used to doing (with the possible exception of which numbers you dial to call specific places). |
