GrandCentral works like a charm forwarding to my Gizmo number. I am also lucky enough to be one of the first to beta test a Canadian GrandCentral number, which means this service will be even more practical for me to use. I’ve been wanting a local number for awhile; Gizmo only offers Canadian area codes in Manitoba and Ontario. Skype offers none at all.

So when you call my GrandCentral number (778-785-6755), I’ve set up GC to forward to Gizmo. What I haven’t quite figured out yet is the voicemail. My Gizmo calls that are ignored/unanswered are bumping to GrandCentral voicemail, which is fine. However, I also have Gizmo voicemail activated, so I get an email and WAV file from Gizmo with nothing “in” it so to speak.

I think this a little bit of the untidiness you see when one app is not fully intergrated with another. See Alec’s post. For more reviews on GrandCentral and Gizmo, see Andy, Garrett Smith, Ken Camp, and Paul Kaputska.

Before you sign on to a VOIP service or plan, make sure that your broadband connection is up to snuff.

Voice Over IP (VOIP) needs a certain amount of bandwidth to be usable. Bandwidth is the amount of digital data that can be transmitted in a certain time period.

In general, an upload speed of 88 Kbps is recommended, although each VOIP service provider will have their own requirements.

You can test your current broadband Internet connection (provided through a cable or DSL service) using the free web tools. Here’s a couple to try:

• Vonage broadband speed test — automatically tests your upload and download speeds.
• TestYourVOIP.com — tests your broadband connection in a real VOIP call (requires Java enabled browser)

Thanks to Alec Saunders for pointing me to a post by Jajah’s Don Thorson about building really useful stuff (as in new software, services, gadgets, and whatnot). I was excited because it reads sort of like TheVOIPGirl manifesto (if there was one). Makes me wish I’d written it! Beyond its ability to dazzle, new stuff has to 1) solve a problem, 2) be easy to understand, 3) be easy to get, 4) be easy to use, 5) be easy to share.

For #2, he talks about giving new stuff the Mom test, meaning I assume that if Mom gets it, anybody will. While I object to the idea that Moms are the lowest common denominator–some of the most technical, savvy, and successful gals I know are also Moms–I think I know what he means. I’m a Mom and being one is the most important thing in my life. The flip side of this is that technology is not the priority…at all. I don’t have time to mess around with something that doesn’t meet the five basics.

Don also says that mainstream users need to be spoonfed. Okay..maybe true, but what’s wrong with that? Busy people, Moms and power users alike, need simplicity. Alec, a power user if there ever was one, atests to that as well.

All in all, thanks Don for a great post. Companies that stick to these rules have my vote.

I found this post on the blog over at Voip.com about SoliCall. It’s software that works with popular VOIP applications to block out distracting background noise when you’re on a call. Just think, you don’t have to lock yourself in the bathroom when you’re on the phone with a client (I’ve done this…). When kids know you’re on the phone, they affectionately launch into what Voip.com calls making “As Much Noise As Possible” (AMNAP). I think it’s part of their genetic programming.

I’ve downloaded Solicall but haven’t done the VOIPGirl test drive yet. If anyone else has, please let me know what you think.

Okay, I like Skype. While I set up my account ages ago without any problems, I decided to use Vonage as a work line because I wanted a “regular” phone. Well, now that Vonage is behind me, I’m using Skype more.

Initially, I didn’t want to like Skype because like Vonage, it has become a category unto itself. What I mean is, people can now say that they are using free Internet phone software that works (or doesn’t work) ”like Skype” and you know what they’re talking about. The same can be said for phone service that is ”like Vonage”.

And because Vonage didn’t work out for me, I tried hard not to be sold on Skype Hype.

Well I have to say that so far, Skype works perfectly for a computer-bound person like me, and here’s why: 

• I am self-employed. I work out of my home office, I spend most of my time at my desk, and my laptop is always on.
• The Skype window is big enough to see what you’re doing, including the task icons along the top. Bigger is better especially when you are learning a new piece of software, or if you’re not a computer wiz.
• Adding contacts (one click) and importing contacts from your email address book (about three clicks) is easy and intuitive. Someone with limited computer experience can do it.
• Dialing by double-clicking the contact name is what saves me time. Of course this isn’t unique to Skype (all softphones, or computer phones do this). As a new user though, I made a few calls by accident because I double-clicked when I didn’t mean to. A single click expands the contact info so you can see the details. Another single click collapses the details. A few times I was too quick on the mouse.
• Until the end of the year you can make FREE calls within North America to any regular phone. This means you can really test drive Skype in all kinds of calling scenarios–long distance, local calls, conference calls. Make the most of the freebie and put Skype through its paces.
• If your contact permits it, Skype shows you that person’s timezone and a mood message. For example, “I’m here but in and out of meetings all day”.
• Skype online help information is approachable, fully searchable, and tailored to all levels of user.  If you are a rank beginner the Skype User Guides or Troubleshooter are the places to visit. For all my questions, I’ve been successfull using the Knowledgebase.

Of course, devoted Skype users know there are tons more features and wiz-bang stuff that Skype can do. But I think that unless you’re happy with the basics, the rest of it won’t matter. You just won’t use the product. 

In the next few weeks, I’ll be comparing how I like using Skype versus another popular softphone, Gizmo Project. Should be interesting.

 

 

As a follow up to an earlier post on Does VOIP Jump the Generational Gap, I agree with Jaanus that Grandmas can certainly use VOIP too (or Skype as the case may be). The fact that some are teaching the rest of us to use it is amazing. Although, of the b-zillion Skype users out there, the number of savvy Grandma’s is (I’m guessing) quite small.

That being said, I just can’t shake that feeling that while my Gran may be able to use it, there’s no question that I, or someone else will need to set it up for her. From buying the right headset, to downloading the software, to adding the kids to the contact list, and finally making the call.

But what the heck, it’s a good idea so I think I’ll put Skype through the Grandma test it and see how it goes. I’ll keep you posted.

I received a nice note from the SightSpeed Guy to try the SightSpeed video calling and blogging service. There’s been a lot of blog buzz about this product so I was happy to give it a go. (Check out the video blog post from Andy Abramson that got things going and the aftermath according to Dina Kaplan of BlipTV).

I downloaded, installed and made my first test call all in about 9 minutes. Then, “Does my hair really look like that?” Next 5 minutes trying to fix it. Yowza…

Gizmo Project announced today an new update to their popular softphone. Read reviews by Om Malik, Luca, and Tom Keating. The biggest addition is the ability to now call Windows Live and Yahoo Messenger contacts in addition to Google Talk, Jabber and other Gizmo users.

Today, if you’re already a Gizmo Project user you get the download and install the new version from the web site, click here. Sometime tomorrow or Thursday, the Gizmo folks will add an automatic install feature that prompts you to install the new version the next time Gizmo starts up. I like that.

As for using it, I’ve made a few test calls to Windows Live Messenger. Just enter the MSN ID in the  call field, pretty easy. However the only way I can see to save a MSN or Yahoo contact to the contact list, is to select GoogleTalk in the Contact Type box. I don’t know if this is the intended use but….users don’t always do what they’re supposed to do…

On the receiving end, the incoming call didn’t look like me. It looked like GTalkToVoip was calling (who in the world is that?). Answering the call and hanging up seem fine, but after that, the whole process seemed to crash Windows Live (receiving end). I don’t use Windows Live for voice at all so I’m not an expert. In my opinion, you’re better off just inviting your friends to join Gizmo.

 

 

Laptop magazine has a review of Fring, Talkster, Nimbuzz and Barablu. These four apps turn your good old cell phone into an internet phone and more. Of the four, Nimbuzz is new to me and Barablu I haven’t tried yet. Fring and Talkster I’ve used and quite like, although I think having a great handset makes all the difference. I wouldn’t bother with any of these if I didn’t have the Nokia N80i to test with.

The review does a good job of capturing the typical setup process for all applications, and gives both the pros and cons of usability, call quality and the like. Author Joanna Stern points out that “regardless of which mobile VoIP service you use, you’re going to need an unlimited data plan, which costs anywhere from $5.99 per month (T-Mobile) to $24.99 (Cingular)”.

Edited May 17, 2007:

James Wanless of Talkster clarified for me that their service in fact does not require a data plan:

Thanks James

Luca Filigheddu just posted some interesting comments on testing the N95 the last few months. It reminded me to add a comment of my own.  The cord for the ear buds is two short when the handset is carried at the waist. You’ve got to bend over or tilt your head sideways (looks dorky). The ear piece jack is not a standard size (3.5 mm instead of 2.5 mm) so you may have to hunt around to find something else with a longer cord and mic.