At 28 Sep 2007 15:22:37 +0000 Larry wrote:

> you can use your Skype contact list, which in Skype is server-stored,


> not phone-stored, eliminating the need to duplicate it. Too bad
> cellular isn't smart enough to do this so when your phone fails
> or you get a new phone, your phone book isn't destroyed or requires
> copying. Cellular's
> still dumb.

Many cellphone companies provied free sever-based backups for your
contacts, and many provide it in real time (via an OTA sync.) T-Mo,
for example, calls it "T-Mo Address Book" but it's really known as
"SyncML"- there are even third-party companies that provide the
service (some, like zyb.com or mobical.com are free) if your carrier
doesn't.

This is mostly for "dumbphones," since Smartphones can usually
already sync contacts to a PC when docked, or to a server OTA.

> No "boxes" on Skype, of course.

Yeah, that's actualy a disadvantage- ATAs are optional in SIP-based
services. They allow you to hook POTS phones to VoIP without a
computer. You can use SIP VoIP on a PC with software just like
Skype, but ATAs allow your POTS wiring to interface directly with
your DSL/Cable modem or router directly with no PC or software running.



> I call on the computers or laptop
> or my
> Netgear SPH101 Skype Phone, depending on whether I want to transfer
> files and have TV or not. Too bad Netgear or someone doesn't
> upgrade the Skype
> phone to included a little vidcam
> and a web browser so I can use it at
> lots of remote locations that require webpage spamming to logon free,


> that the Skype Phone cannot connect to.


Despite your lousy experience with that defective Dell Axim you
tried, you should really look into whatever PPC phone Alltel sells
(if any.) WinMo 6, while not perfect (it's still Windows!) is more
stable than it's predecessors, and runs both Skype Mobile and
Fring.com's Fring (a mobile phone Skype-compatible app that uses a
lower-quality codec that even works on slow non-3G cell data
connections.)

Having a browser that can authenticate make portable Skype much more
useful.


> Skype won't be SIP-compliant because it would hobble up their
> excellent service too much. They'd have to delete the toys that
> make Skype fun, not just a phone.


Fair enough.


> AS it doesn't cost any internet VoIP carrier more than a few bytes
> of disk space to continue your account, I doubt they care about
trying
> to get rid of you.

Keep in mind Voicestick offered (until this week) free incoming phone
numbers- that means they were eating $2-3/month between number
"rental" from a telco, and the Universal Service Fund fee. In ten
months with them, I spent $10 for minutes (mostly unused.) They're
much better off without me.

> The account numbers make borrowing money from the
> money changers much easier, so they want lots of accounts, if for no
> other reason.


Naah, service businesses are all about ARPU. They want the
$19.99/month "unlimited" customers, not the $0.00/month + 1.1c/min.
customers.

I suspect I was part of a long-term marketing "beta test" where they
tweaked and tested the plans to discover what worked and what didn't.
"Free Incoming calls calls and Free incoming phone number obviously
didn't. (Surprise, Surprise!)

> There's no reason to have a landline any more.

That's a personal choice. Reliability, quality, and frankly 100%
modem/fax compatibility are all good reasons for me. My DSL service
is pretty reliable, but goes down occasionally. In 4 years here in
Denver I have never once picked up a phone and not had a dialtone,
however.

>I dumped Bell$not in
> 1992. One of life's greatest pleasures was asking them to take
> their
> wires off my home, after being their slave since I was a teenager.
> It's
> a feeley-good kinda feeling..(c; Message delivered!

What message? Instead of the "evil" telco you use an "evil" cellco!
"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss!"


> I don't need the Skype, either, but have lots of international
> friends so
> would miss our chats without it. I'm online with it at home, but
> it's
> only a way to bypass cellular's stupid by-the-second charges, a
> throwback
> to an older time.

Trust me- I'm not knocking Skype, VoIP or cellular- competition keeps
everyone honest. Even my POTS telco offers VoIP now, which I find
hysterical. Rather than just fix the rea on VoIP is popular (LOWER
YOUR F-ING LD & INTERNATIONAL RATES ALREADY!) they instead offer VoIP
to perpetuate the myth that lower rates on POTS service is somehow
not technologically possible or feasible!


> I'm retiring Jan 2008, but haven't decided to close my little music
> business or not. If I close the business, I no longer need full
> contact
> on-the-road, other than free 911 service from the bagphones in my
> cars,
> so will probably just dump cellular's price gouging and keep Skype.


Just food for thought- American Roaming Network now offers a prepaid
service for inactive analog and/or CDMA phones- IIRC, it's $25 for
100 minutes (outgoing only, of course) good for one year. It's a PIN
code you're issued so one account can be used on any of your old
phones. 25c/min isn't cheap, but it's a damnsight better than the
$2.95/min or whatever they charge for credit card calls, and it's
convenient to be able to call a tow-truck or taxi or whatever in
addition to 911!


Enjoy your retirement!