Voicestick Ends NextToNothing Plan

Voicestick used to offer a plan where you paid only for minutes used. I
got an e-mail today stating that they will begin charging $3.75/month
beginning October 1st.

At 26 Sep 2007 15:04:00 -0700 SMS wrote:
> Voicestick used to offer a plan where you paid only for minutes
> used. I got an e-mail today stating that they will begin charging
> $3.75/month beginning October 1st.


Yep- end of an era! Among the cheaper alternatives for an incoming
VoIP line now are callwithus.com (monthly rates depend on how
"desirable" the incoming number is,) SIPNumber.com (rural Iowa numbers
only- they live off of the usurious fees they skim from the USF by
being a "rural telephone company" so they actually WANT you to
receive lots of incoming calls!), OneSuite.com (doubles as a
"pinless" calling card,) Galaxyvoice.com (select New England numbers
only, a $25 "setup fee" and $2+/month in E911/USF fees) and, God help
us if Larry reads this, ;-) Skype's $3/month SkypeIn service.

You're welcome to borrow one of my two Stanaphone.com NY-area numbers
for your upcoming trip- they closed their doors to new customers, but
haven't closed any existing accounts yet! Free incoming, $0.016
outgoing.
;-)


--

"I don't need my cell phone to play video games or take pictures
or double as a Walkie-Talkie; I just need it to work. Thanks for
all the bells and whistles, but I could communicate better with
ACTUAL bells and whistles." -Bill Maher 9/25/2003

On 2007-09-27, Todd Allcock <elecconnec@AmericaOnLine.com> wrote:
> only, a $25 "setup fee" and $2+/month in E911/USF fees) and, God help
> us if Larry reads this, ;-) Skype's $3/month SkypeIn service.

He won't complain, I suspect. It is $5/month now.

Dennis Ferguson

Todd Allcock <elecconnec@AmericaOnLine.com> wrote in news:wLUKi.355$8R4.132
@fe111.usenetserver.com:

> God help
> us if Larry reads this, ;-) Skype's $3/month SkypeIn service.
>

heh, heh, heh......(c;

SKYPE - THE OTHER TELEPHONE COMPANY.....

$3/mo is less than I'm paying! My Skype In (with all the toys and
voicemail) is $60/year!

THAT Larry
--
What we need is a good Skypecast so everyone can flog everyone in
realtime!...(c;
We'll let Verizon sponsor it.....it's free.

At 27 Sep 2007 21:44:11 +0000 Larry wrote:

> > God help
> > us if Larry reads this, ;-) Skype's $3/month SkypeIn service.
> >
>
> heh, heh, heh......(c;
>
> SKYPE - THE OTHER TELEPHONE COMPANY.....
>
> $3/mo is less than I'm paying! My Skype In (with all the toys and
> voicemail) is $60/year!

I hadn't checked prices in awhile. I imagine the price increase was
a combination of eBay greed and the floundering dollar vs. the Euro.


While I have our own Skype expert here on the party line, let me ask
you a question if you know it off the top of your head- (rather than
try to find anything info on Skype's site!) When I'm in Mexico later
this year, will my SkypeOut-to-USA Calls still be included in my
unlimited US/Canada deal, or will it use Skype credit since I'll be
connecting with a Mexican IP address? (In other words do _I_ have to
be in the US as well?) I have plenty of freebie VoIP accounts, but
the big advantage of Skype is it's ability to use port 80 to connect-
many tourista hotels seem to block the traditional VoIP ports to
"encourage" you to use the 20 peso/minute house phones!


--

"I don't need my cell phone to play video games or take pictures
or double as a Walkie-Talkie; I just need it to work. Thanks for
all the bells and whistles, but I could communicate better with
ACTUAL bells and whistles." -Bill Maher 9/25/2003

Larry wrote:
> Todd Allcock <elecconnec@AmericaOnLine.com> wrote in news:wLUKi.355$8R4.132
> @fe111.usenetserver.com:
>
>> God help
>> us if Larry reads this, ;-) Skype's $3/month SkypeIn service.
>>
>
> heh, heh, heh......(c;
>
> SKYPE - THE OTHER TELEPHONE COMPANY.....
>
> $3/mo is less than I'm paying! My Skype In (with all the toys and
> voicemail) is $60/year!
>
> THAT Larry

I see $60/year, not $36/year.

Skype-In is still more than Voicestick, and lacks some of the Voicestick
features.

I guess $3.75/month isn't that unreasonable, you know they couldn't go
on with so many people having free numbers.

On 2007-09-27, Todd Allcock <elecconnec@AmericaOnLine.com> wrote:
> While I have our own Skype expert here on the party line, let me ask
> you a question if you know it off the top of your head- (rather than
> try to find anything info on Skype's site!) When I'm in Mexico later
> this year, will my SkypeOut-to-USA Calls still be included in my
> unlimited US/Canada deal, or will it use Skype credit since I'll be
> connecting with a Mexican IP address?

I'm no expert, but you'll get charged if you aren't connecting from
a US or Canada IP address. Or I do, at least.

Dennis Ferguson

SMS <scharf.steven@geemail.com> wrote in news:46fc34ca$0$27218
$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net:

> Skype-In is still more than Voicestick, and lacks some of the Voicestick
> features.
>
>

Er, ah, I'll bite....WHICH "features"?

Larry
--
Your turn...(c;

Todd Allcock <elecconnec@AmericaOnLine.com> wrote in news:FMWKi.1509
$mS5.592@fe089.usenetserver.com:

> I hadn't checked prices in awhile. I imagine the price increase was
> a combination of eBay greed and the floundering dollar vs. the Euro.
>
$5/month for unlimited calling to any number USA/Canada incl AK/HI/PR is
fed by greed? You're saying this in a VERIZON WIRELESS newsgroup?!...ha
ha...(c; You're a funny, funny boy!...(c;
>
> While I have our own Skype expert here on the party line, let me ask
> you a question if you know it off the top of your head- (rather than
> try to find anything info on Skype's site!) When I'm in Mexico later
> this year, will my SkypeOut-to-USA Calls still be included in my
> unlimited US/Canada deal, or will it use Skype credit since I'll be
> connecting with a Mexican IP address? (In other words do _I_ have to
> be in the US as well?) I have plenty of freebie VoIP accounts, but
> the big advantage of Skype is it's ability to use port 80 to connect-
> many tourista hotels seem to block the traditional VoIP ports to
> "encourage" you to use the 20 peso/minute house phones!
>
>
http://www.skype.com/products/skypeout/
Skype Unlimited is only for calls ORIGINATING and TERMINATING in the USA
or Canada. In Mexico, you pay 2.1c/min to call 30 countries, including
USA and Canada. The 3.9c connection fee is caused by the internet
connection TO the Skype landline server's IP, just a flat rate that
covers it from any place outside USA/Canada. Many countries charge both
parties for any call in or out. 3.9c + 2.1c/min is real cheap!
Calling a cellphone IN MEXICO costs 33.9c/min because the calling party
must also pay double-or-more for the call. Calling from Skype TO Mexico,
outside of Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey is 9.9c/min caused by
the Mexican phone company ripoff.

You may also call skype on ANY port, not just port 80. Simply change the
port number in your Skype before you connect to the Skype server. It
accepts Skype connects on any port, really thrilling the cellular
bastards trying to stop you using their aircards, too!...(c;

Best way to use Skype to/from Mexico is to simply leave Skype running
back home in the office or house. Leave Skype on your desk at the office
running on full autoanswer with your webcam on....so you can see who got
your job after you left on vacation....with color TV and full audio...(c;
You can even hear them talking about you. I have one running 24/7 at our
Circuit City on a laptop demo unit...(c; Did you know CC runs all the
TVs ALL NIGHT LONG?! How stupid. From Mexico to any other Skype on the
planet, of course, is always free, with full video conferencing and all
the toys.

Now for the trick! Buy SKYPE IN unlimited at home, where it's cheap.
DON'T CALL YOUR HOUSE OR OFFICE! Call your SKYPE name on Skype...which
is FREE from anyplace on the planet! Set your SKYPE IN to FORWARD it's
Skype In calls TO YOUR HOME, THE WIFE'S CELL OR THE OFFICE PHONE! Even
if you are OFFLINE, your call to the non-answering Skype-to-Skype
call....goes to FORWARDING! I forward Skype In calls to my cellphone on
Alltel. It doesn't care where you forward them to, as long as it's in
the STATES/Canada. Your Skype call to Skype at home is free...forwards
free...calls the OFFICE, who can forward your call to anyone you like IF
you have two lines or a switchboard! Great way around the tariffs...(c;

Larry
--
Shhh....don't tell Verizon!....or Alltel!

Dennis Ferguson <dcferguson@pacbell.net> wrote in
news:slrnffoi89.89.dcferguson@akit-ferguson.com:

> I'm no expert, but you'll get charged if you aren't connecting from
> a US or Canada IP address. Or I do, at least.
>
> Dennis Ferguson
>
>

Dennis, have you tried the Skype-to-Skype forwarding trick with Skype In
Unlimited?



Larry
--
Search youtube for "Depleted Uranium"
The ultimate dirty bomb......

Todd Allcock <elecconnec@AmericaOnLine.com> wrote in news:FMWKi.1509
$mS5.592@fe089.usenetserver.com:

> While I have our own Skype expert here on the party line, let me ask
> you a question if you know it off the top of your head- (rather than
>

Oops....I screwed up....You need TWO Skype accounts for the call
forwarding trick to work....One on your laptop you don't even have to
charge up on Skype Out if you don't want to call out from your Skype'd
laptop.....One at home with Full Skype-In Unlimited set to call forward.

Sorry....

Larry
--
So many accounts, so little time....(c;


MexiTodd
laptop<--------Skype-to-Skype---------------->AOLTodd home account
Skype ^
|
|
Skype In Call Forwarding
|
|
Stateside Numbers

AOLTodd doesn't need to be online for call forwarding to work. It simply
needs to be a SEPARATE Skype name because you cannot call yourself on
Skype-to-Skype. Just logon to Skype and sign up MexiTodd for the laptop.

Sorry I missed it.

I get call forwarded Skype-to-Skype to my cellphone a lot. The chick at
the Verizon kiosk inside Circuit City was shocked talking to a Japanese
womanizer in Osaka on it...(c;

On 2007-09-28, Larry <noone@home.com> wrote:
> Dennis Ferguson <dcferguson@pacbell.net> wrote in
> news:slrnffoi89.89.dcferguson@akit-ferguson.com:
>
>> I'm no expert, but you'll get charged if you aren't connecting from
>> a US or Canada IP address. Or I do, at least.
>>
>
> Dennis, have you tried the Skype-to-Skype forwarding trick with Skype In
> Unlimited?

Larry, I know you used to be able to forward the Skype account to a US
number for free, but it hasn't worked that way for me for a long time
(I forward my account to a US phone since I have overseas SkypeIn
numbers).

Are you sure what you are doing doesn't depend on some other software
that you have installed on your computer along with Skype? I've been
looking at installing an Asterisk PBX at home to do approximately
the equivalent thing.

Dennis Ferguson

Dennis Ferguson <dcferguson@pacbell.net> wrote in
news:slrnffonqj.8a.dcferguson@akit-ferguson.com:

> On 2007-09-28, Larry <noone@home.com> wrote:
>> Dennis Ferguson <dcferguson@pacbell.net> wrote in
>> news:slrnffoi89.89.dcferguson@akit-ferguson.com:
>>
>>> I'm no expert, but you'll get charged if you aren't connecting from
>>> a US or Canada IP address. Or I do, at least.
>>>
>>
>> Dennis, have you tried the Skype-to-Skype forwarding trick with Skype
>> In Unlimited?
>
> Larry, I know you used to be able to forward the Skype account to a US
> number for free, but it hasn't worked that way for me for a long time
> (I forward my account to a US phone since I have overseas SkypeIn
> numbers).
>
> Are you sure what you are doing doesn't depend on some other software
> that you have installed on your computer along with Skype? I've been
> looking at installing an Asterisk PBX at home to do approximately
> the equivalent thing.
>
> Dennis Ferguson
>

No, it's no other software. I may be queer to the USA system with the
unlimited service plans. Any Skype-to-Skype calls to my username ring my
cellphone. I have unlimited Skype in and out on the USA plans.

I have friends in AU, JP, NZ, CH, that call me that way. Two called
today.....

I do have MobiVox (www.mobivox.com) but that's only so I can call them
back....which also works great from an access number in Charlotte, NC,
the closest one to Charleston. I call the access number. It recognizes
me by my caller ID and opens it's Skype channel. It's voice-activated
for handsfree operation. Puts Skype right in my Bluetooth headset...(c;

But, MobiVox is OUTbound from the cellphone to Skype (and an even cheaper
overseas long distance for the cell, 1.9c/min). It has nothing to do
with incoming Skype In calling or Skypers calling me. It connects to
Skype-to-Skype, but uses its own landline system.



Larry
--
Search youtube for "Depleted Uranium"
The ultimate dirty bomb......

Dennis Ferguson <dcferguson@pacbell.net> wrote in
news:slrnffonqj.8a.dcferguson@akit-ferguson.com:

> (I forward my account to a US phone since I have overseas SkypeIn
> numbers).
>
>

I have a Skype In number in Charleston, SC and London, UK. The London
number gets lots of wrong numbers because it seems to be one number away
from some pub..."No, Ian isn't here. I'm in South Carolina, USA!" Great
fun listening to the panic when Brits think they've dialed USA, which must
cost them something awful from their reaction.

I had the Charleston number first. It's actually listed as Hollywood, SC,
a tiny town near the city, probably to get some kind of subsidy or other.

Larry
--
Search youtube for "Depleted Uranium"
The ultimate dirty bomb......

At 28 Sep 2007 00:54:37 +0000 Larry wrote:

> > Skype-In is still more than Voicestick, and lacks some of the
Voicestick
> > features.
>
>
> Er, ah, I'll bite....WHICH "features"?
>
> Larry
> --
> Your turn...(c;


Besides E911? ;-)

Their most interesting feature is "Cellular Bridge"- you enter your
cell phone number (or any phone number you want to use) on the VS site,
then when you call your VS number from that phone, you get a dialtone
and can dial an international call through your VS account- kind of
like a pinless calling card (or Mobivox, I suppose.)

They ruined the feature last month by charging $4.95/month extra for
it, though!

The ATA box they used to use could do it automatically via hardware,
without their help. "Coincidentally," they changed some settings last
month, stopping those boxes from working with Voicestick, and sent us
free replacements without that particular feature, forcing us to
subscribe to the feature to get it.

On the bright side, both old and new boxes are unlocked, so I can use
them with any of my other VoIP accounts (except Skype, of course,
which isn't SIP-compliant.)


I didn't mind the end of the free incoming calls last month- that
seemed fair- they cut the price of outgoing from 2.1 to 1.1 to offset
the new 1.1-cent incoming charge. I suspect too many people were
abusing the free incoming and using cheaper VoIPs for outgoing. But
going from "unlimited" free incoming to $4/month (with no incoming or
outgoing included) in the span of 60 days is going to cause quite a
few casual users (like me) to disappear when my existing credits run
out, which I'm sure is their goal.

VoIP is just a backup for my backup (I have both a landline and
multiple cells) so VoIP is kind of a "when my free-WiFi-equipped
hotel is in a Cellular dead spot" kind of thing. For as little as I
use VoIP, $0.01/month and $4/min would be cheaper than $4/month a
$0.01/minute! I guess it's back to the rural Iowa USF-skimmers at
FreeDigits.com aka SIPNumber.com for me!


--

"I don't need my cell phone to play video games or take pictures
or double as a Walkie-Talkie; I just need it to work. Thanks for
all the bells and whistles, but I could communicate better with
ACTUAL bells and whistles." -Bill Maher 9/25/2003

At 28 Sep 2007 01:13:52 +0000 Larry wrote:

> $5/month for unlimited calling to any number USA/Canada incl
> AK/HI/PR is fed by greed?

I thought you meant a Skype-In number was now $5 (last time I
checked, it was $3.) I already have unlimited Skype-Out (courtesy
the $15 special back in January.) Are you talking about the new
Skype-Pro thing?

> You're saying this in a VERIZON WIRELESS newsgroup?!...ha
> ha...(c; You're a funny, funny boy!...(c;

I meant prices have risen steadily since the eBay acquisition. I
wonder if the competition from Magicjack.com will hold down a price
increase foer 2008? (Magicjack is a $40 USB-to-RJ11 device with a
year of unlimited In/Out for the first yesr, and $20 for additional
years... ...if they're around that long!)


> http://www.skype.com/products/skypeout/
> Skype Unlimited is only for calls ORIGINATING and TERMINATING in
> the USA
> or Canada. In Mexico, you pay 2.1c/min to call 30 countries,
> including
> USA and Canada. The 3.9c connection fee is caused by the internet
> connection TO the Skype landline server's IP, just a flat rate that
> covers it from any place outside USA/Canada.

This is an illustration of the enigma that is Larry. I'm surprised
that the same guy who thinks they faked the Moon Landing believes
Skype's line of bullshit. The 3.9-cents fee is a "because they can"
fee. If it had anything to do with "costs for connecting to the
landline server's IP" other VoIPs would charge a connection fee as
well, but they don't. Landline interconnec fees are charged per
minute by local telcos- not "flat rate" per call. The approx. $0.01
fee for terminating to most US/Canada phones is already included in
the $0.021/minute fee.


> Many countries charge both
> parties for any call in or out. 3.9c + 2.1c/min is real cheap!


Compared to cellular, yes, but not as cheap as other VoIPs-
Voicestick is $0.011 for outgoing to
US/Canada, and well under 2c to many countries including the UK, with
NO connection fee. But again, I want a backup in case VoIP ports
(5060) are blocked... I'll just load a few bucks in the Skype credit
account before I leave, rather than re-up for unlimited again in '08.

(I've only used about 10 or 20 minutes in 2007 so far, and most of
that was for testing other VoIP accounts! I'm just a sucker for a
good deal and couldn't pass up a year of unlimited for $15!) I might
buy a Magicjack and end up not using it either! ;-)


> You may also call skype on ANY port, not just port 80. Simply
> change the port number in your Skype before you connect to the
> Skype server.
> It accepts Skype connects on any port, really thrilling the
cellular
> bastards trying to stop you using their aircards, too!...(c;


Right, but since 80 is typically the http port, it's a safe bet that
any system that allows web browsing leaves 80 open, as do most
cellphone data plans.

> Now for the trick! Buy SKYPE IN unlimited at home, where it's cheap.


> DON'T CALL YOUR HOUSE OR OFFICE! Call your SKYPE name on
> Skype...which
> is FREE from anyplace on the planet! Set your SKYPE IN to FORWARD
> it's
> Skype In calls TO YOUR HOME, THE WIFE'S CELL OR THE OFFICE PHONE!
> if you are OFFLINE, your call to the non-answering Skype-to-Skype
> call....goes to FORWARDING! I forward Skype In calls to my
> cellphone on
> Alltel. It doesn't care where you forward them to, as long as it's
> in
> the STATES/Canada. Your Skype call to Skype at home is
> free...forwards
> free...calls the OFFICE, who can forward your call to anyone you
> like IF
> you have two lines or a switchboard! Great way around the tariffs...

> (c;
>
> Larry
> --
> Shhh....don't tell Verizon!....or Alltel!


That's a lot of hassle to save 2.1 cents a minute! Besides, doesn't
forwarding Skype to a US landline charge you the 3.9c+2.1c/min? I
might as
well just direct dial the US from my Skype account and pay it.

Thanks for the info, though.
I'd better stick a ten-spot in my Skype Out account before I leave!
Thanks again, Larry.


--

"I don't need my cell phone to play video games or take pictures
or double as a Walkie-Talkie; I just need it to work. Thanks for
all the bells and whistles, but I could communicate better with
ACTUAL bells and whistles." -Bill Maher 9/25/2003

At 27 Sep 2007 15:56:30 -0700 SMS wrote:

> I guess $3.75/month isn't that unreasonable, you know they couldn't
> go on with so many people having free numbers.

Agreed, but I've had a few SIP incompatibility quirks with them since
day one. I can't get the built-in Windows Mobile 6 VoIP client to
register (since their registrar server and proxy server are different)
and now they don't even support their own MG3 ATA, which allowed the
cell bridge to work through hardware (free) and allowed your landline
phone to autoswitch between incoming POTS and VStick calls, and
select either for outgoing via the "*" key. The replacement ATA they
sent is a Bottom of the line Grandstream 286 which has neither
function.

Losing those two features makes any number of cheaper alternatives,
like OneSuite VoIP ($2.95/month, with free incoming) as good or better.




--

"I don't need my cell phone to play video games or take pictures
or double as a Walkie-Talkie; I just need it to work. Thanks for
all the bells and whistles, but I could communicate better with
ACTUAL bells and whistles." -Bill Maher 9/25/2003

Todd Allcock wrote:
> At 28 Sep 2007 00:54:37 +0000 Larry wrote:
>
>>> Skype-In is still more than Voicestick, and lacks some of the
> Voicestick
>>> features.
>>
>> Er, ah, I'll bite....WHICH "features"?
>>
>> Larry
>> --
>> Your turn...(c;
>
>
> Besides E911? ;-)
>
> Their most interesting feature is "Cellular Bridge"- you enter your
> cell phone number (or any phone number you want to use) on the VS site,
> then when you call your VS number from that phone, you get a dialtone
> and can dial an international call through your VS account- kind of
> like a pinless calling card (or Mobivox, I suppose.)

You can do this using OneSuite or TalkLoop, and the rates are less.
However there is a $10/6 month minimum ($1.67/month) but it's not a fee
you just keep building up more credit if you don't use it.

> I didn't mind the end of the free incoming calls last month- that
> seemed fair- they cut the price of outgoing from 2.1 to 1.1 to offset
> the new 1.1-cent incoming charge. I suspect too many people were
> abusing the free incoming and using cheaper VoIPs for outgoing. But
> going from "unlimited" free incoming to $4/month (with no incoming or
> outgoing included) in the span of 60 days is going to cause quite a
> few casual users (like me) to disappear when my existing credits run
> out, which I'm sure is their goal.

If you made a stink about it then you could get your existing credits
back as a refund since they changed the terms of service on you after
you had bought the credits.

One thing I noticed is that when my cell phone rings from a forwarded
VoiceStick number it no longer CallerIDs the VoiceStick number like it
used to.

Oh well, Voicestick was good while it lasted.

At 28 Sep 2007 00:19:41 -0700 SMS wrote:

> You can do this using OneSuite or TalkLoop, and the rates are less.
> However there is a $10/6 month minimum ($1.67/month) but it's not a
> fee you just keep building up more credit if you don't use it.

I might try the OneSuite VoIP and see if it plays nice with
my WinMo VoIP client. (The WinMo client is integrated with the
regular phone app, so if Wi-Fi is on, calls to my VoIP line ring in
just like a regular cell call, except it has my VoIP's name where the
carrier's name is usually displayed.)


> If you made a stink about it then you could get your existing
> credits back as a refund since they changed the terms of service on
you
> after you had bought the credits.


Nahh, I have less than $10 on it- given the relative shakiness of VoIP
providers I wouldn't pile too much money into a pay-as-you-go one!

While VS is offering refunds, they're also willing to convert your
account to an outgoing-only to avoid the fees. I e-mailed them last
night to accept that option. Never know when you might need another
backup VoIP! ;-)

Plus, I'm wondering if I can forward a different VoIP call to the SIP
URI of the new VS account number they end up assigning me.



--

"I don't need my cell phone to play video games or take pictures
or double as a Walkie-Talkie; I just need it to work. Thanks for
all the bells and whistles, but I could communicate better with
ACTUAL bells and whistles." -Bill Maher 9/25/2003

Todd Allcock <elecconnec@AmericaOnLine.com> wrote in news:iA%Ki.902
$5b5.481@fe099.usenetserver.com:

>
> Besides E911? ;-)

I asked our 911 operators if there was a local phone number I could call
to accesss their terminal...without the GPS pinpoint, of course. There
is. It's programmed into my Skype phones at home. I'll tell 'em my
address when I call. Problem solved.

>
> Their most interesting feature is "Cellular Bridge"- you enter your
> cell phone number (or any phone number you want to use) on the VS site,
> then when you call your VS number from that phone, you get a dialtone
> and can dial an international call through your VS account- kind of
> like a pinless calling card (or Mobivox, I suppose.)

Yes, MobiVox. You call it from any telephone. If "she" (voice prompter
is female, Canadian accent) doesn't recognize your caller ID, you just
say your username/password when she asks. From the pre-loaded phone, the
caller ID bypasses this request and opens your account automatically so
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.

With your international calls already pre-stored in the contact list,
whether landline or Skype-to-Skype, you simply say, "Call Graeme Smith"
into it and she dials him. (Put another name on Graeme's Skype username
makes it easier to use than waiting for her to prompt you for his 3
different modes, Cellular/landline/Skype.) MobiVox is cheaper than
Skype, has no monthly bogus "service charge" and charges up airtime just
like your Skype, with your credit card. www.mobivox.com Works great, I
was a beta tester for them. From the cell, any of the access numbers in
the country are free LD calls only costing me airtime weekdays. Alltel
starts free N/W at 7 on my plan.

>
> They ruined the feature last month by charging $4.95/month extra for
> it, though!

I expect Mobivox to follow suit. It's an industry trend. They all
usually follow-the-leader.

>
> The ATA box they used to use could do it automatically via hardware,
> without their help. "Coincidentally," they changed some settings last
> month, stopping those boxes from working with Voicestick, and sent us
> free replacements without that particular feature, forcing us to
> subscribe to the feature to get it.

No "boxes" on Skype, of course. 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.

>
> On the bright side, both old and new boxes are unlocked, so I can use
> them with any of my other VoIP accounts (except Skype, of course,
> which isn't SIP-compliant.)
>

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.

>
> I didn't mind the end of the free incoming calls last month- that
> seemed fair- they cut the price of outgoing from 2.1 to 1.1 to offset
> the new 1.1-cent incoming charge. I suspect too many people were
> abusing the free incoming and using cheaper VoIPs for outgoing. But
> going from "unlimited" free incoming to $4/month (with no incoming or
> outgoing included) in the span of 60 days is going to cause quite a
> few casual users (like me) to disappear when my existing credits run
> out, which I'm sure is their goal.

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

>
> VoIP is just a backup for my backup (I have both a landline and
> multiple cells) so VoIP is kind of a "when my free-WiFi-equipped
> hotel is in a Cellular dead spot" kind of thing. For as little as I
> use VoIP, $0.01/month and $4/min would be cheaper than $4/month a
> $0.01/minute! I guess it's back to the rural Iowa USF-skimmers at
> FreeDigits.com aka SIPNumber.com for me!
>

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

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.

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.
Without the business, I can easily pop the Netgear wifi phone into my
pocket, instead, and let it logon to whatever it finds open to get my
Skype voicemails...which it does, automatically, when it connects to
Skype's server. That will be plenty of phone service for me in
retirement...(c; All my fav restaurants either have free wifi or are
next to a hotel with free wifi. There's free wifi in the malls, The City
of Charleston provides 110Kbps free wifi downtown all over and the
marinas where my friends' boats are located all have amazing bandwidth
for free with repeaters across the marinas, a feature the affluent
yachtsmen now expect for $100-200/day transient dock rent. The only
place the Skype phone doesn't work is on the road, which I won't care
about cruising around on my motorcycle.

Larry
--
Search youtube for "Depleted Uranium"
The ultimate dirty bomb......

Todd Allcock <elecconnec@AmericaOnLine.com> wrote in news:jA%Ki.903
$5b5.210@fe099.usenetserver.com:

> At 28 Sep 2007 01:13:52 +0000 Larry wrote:
>
>> $5/month for unlimited calling to any number USA/Canada incl
>> AK/HI/PR is fed by greed?
>
> I thought you meant a Skype-In number was now $5 (last time I
> checked, it was $3.) I already have unlimited Skype-Out (courtesy
> the $15 special back in January.) Are you talking about the new
> Skype-Pro thing?

No, I was saying $5/month is hardly "greedy" by Ebay....

>
>> You're saying this in a VERIZON WIRELESS newsgroup?!...ha
>> ha...(c; You're a funny, funny boy!...(c;
>
> I meant prices have risen steadily since the eBay acquisition. I
> wonder if the competition from Magicjack.com will hold down a price
> increase foer 2008? (Magicjack is a $40 USB-to-RJ11 device with a
> year of unlimited In/Out for the first yesr, and $20 for additional
> years... ...if they're around that long!)
>

Prices have risen ONCE, not steadily. I doubt the littler guys like this
Magicjack you talk about will dent Skype's user base. Most Skype users I
know don't pay a dime. They only use Skype-to-Skype and all the other
free toys Skype's computer-based, no boxes system enjoys. It costs them
nothing for worldwide communications with full motion video,
conferencing, live Skypecasting, and I think this will continue. Ebay
bought Skype not as a replacement business, but to connect Ebay's seller
with Ebay's buyers, which before Skype was more expensive than the
products from many places on the planet. I think Ebay will continue to
offer really cheap phone service to keep these people, who make Ebay's
real money stream, connected to each other. I think for this purpose,
you're going to see Ebay EXPAND any Skype service that supports Ebay's
business model. Case in point....I think Ebay will, soon, institute LIVE
BIDDING using Skype's Skypecast function. Bidders will be able to get
instant gratification they love, especially Americans who demand it, with
LIVE auctions in living color talking to a huge cyber room full of
bidders. The seller will be the moderator, a sort of Christie's Video
Auction, controlling who has access and who doesn't. The seller will
webcam, not picture, the product and can answer bidders' questions for
all LIVE, in realtime, with full motion color video for anyone who
connects to see and hear and those wishing to bid having full access to
the full-duplex audio bidding it just as if you're sitting in a chair at
Christie's with your little numbered paddle in your hands....in a less
expensive sort of way.

You want a new car? Go to Ebay Motors, click the Skypecast link on the
car you're interested in. The Skypecast schedule for this car pops up if
the auction isn't yet open. Your Skype will automatically connect to the
car's Skypecast at the appropriate time making a noise to alert you to
the computer. All the bidders will be able to view the car, HEAR IT
RUNNING, ask live questions of the seller, make a deal LIVE and the
bidding will take 10 minutes, not 5 days of texting and webpaging. Ebay
will make a fortune as thousands more live auctions will take place in
the time hundreds are taking place, now.....see?

Ebay isn't going to shoot their corporate foot off by making Skype
expensive if this live Skypecasting catches on. It will be free-for-all
indefinately to get anyone interested in that car, not a phone company,
to download and BID! What Skype makes only needs to break even or make a
small profit.....because it's NOT Ebay's main business, only a service to
that business model.

>
>> http://www.skype.com/products/skypeout/
>> Skype Unlimited is only for calls ORIGINATING and TERMINATING in
>> the USA
>> or Canada. In Mexico, you pay 2.1c/min to call 30 countries,
>> including
>> USA and Canada. The 3.9c connection fee is caused by the internet
>> connection TO the Skype landline server's IP, just a flat rate that
>> covers it from any place outside USA/Canada.
>
> This is an illustration of the enigma that is Larry. I'm surprised
> that the same guy who thinks they faked the Moon Landing believes
> Skype's line of bullshit. The 3.9-cents fee is a "because they can"
> fee. If it had anything to do with "costs for connecting to the
> landline server's IP" other VoIPs would charge a connection fee as
> well, but they don't. Landline interconnec fees are charged per
> minute by local telcos- not "flat rate" per call. The approx. $0.01
> fee for terminating to most US/Canada phones is already included in
> the $0.021/minute fee.

I have hardly ever paid for any connect fee. That's not what Skype is
for, anyways, it's just a Skype convenience. I did call Mahmood in
Bahrain on his cellphone, once, just to see how it worked. It worked
great, even at 33c/min...plus 3.9 cents. Mahmood and I never used Skype-
to-Bahraini-Phones before because we talk for hours for free from his
Skype to my Skype....sort of negating your attack, wouldn't you say?

I wouldn't care if the connect fee were $2/call as I rarely make it. The
blankey $30/year Skype Out deal for US/Canada covers everything. I do
make LOTS of LONG calls on that $30....which buys about one month and 700
minutes on Alltel. So, I don't care what the overseas interconnect rate
of just 4cents/call is. If it doubles, I'll drink one less cup of coffee
in 2008 and turn a profit. Your complaint is kinda picking-at-straws
compared to any cellular carrier's charges to call anywhere. If you want
to piss at someone, piss at Verizon for charging you $1.50/minute!

>
>
>> Many countries charge both
>> parties for any call in or out. 3.9c + 2.1c/min is real cheap!
>
>
> Compared to cellular, yes, but not as cheap as other VoIPs-
> Voicestick is $0.011 for outgoing to
> US/Canada, and well under 2c to many countries including the UK, with
> NO connection fee. But again, I want a backup in case VoIP ports
> (5060) are blocked... I'll just load a few bucks in the Skype credit
> account before I leave, rather than re-up for unlimited again in '08.
>
> (I've only used about 10 or 20 minutes in 2007 so far, and most of
> that was for testing other VoIP accounts! I'm just a sucker for a
> good deal and couldn't pass up a year of unlimited for $15!) I might
> buy a Magicjack and end up not using it either! ;-)
>

Again, your focus is on calling cellphones and landlines, which is a
Skype secondary feature to the FREE Skype-to-Skype communications those
services don't offer, I don't think. Can I call your Voicestick free
from my Voicestick, direct, with full motion color video and no time
limit? No? It's a different system with a different model. 95% of my
Skype calls are to other Skypers, many of whom I've gotten on Skype and
ruined their lives. It spreads like a virus!

"Hey, Mike, download Skype for free and call me from your computer."
I've just infected Mike's life with a terrible virus. Mike calls his
father and gets Skype installed on Dad's computer so they can talk for
free. Mike's two sisters and brother find out they can get Skype for
free and call Mom and Dad...the virus spreads. Dad notices Skype Out and
feeds Skype $10 for 7 hours of interconnect, all the money he spent on
Skype. He didn't buy a "box", he probably spent a fortune on that custom
USB headset/mic from Best Buy because Mom didn't like the crap he had.
Now, Mom wants her OWN computer because she told the girls in her garden
club about Skype's conferencing...the virus has spread across Hometown,
KS, and it's MY fault. All I wanted to do was talk to Mike for free
whenever he was online, instead of messaging him or email. Geez, Mike
has two new Skype In numbers, now. One in Orlando, where he lives and
one in Hometown, KS, his home town so his old buddies can just dial his
LOCAL number! He's out $120! NO MIKE, NO, NO!! .......too late...my
fault. "Hey, Mike, let's get numbers in Latvia!"....(c;

>
>> You may also call skype on ANY port, not just port 80. Simply
>> change the port number in your Skype before you connect to the
>> Skype server.
>> It accepts Skype connects on any port, really thrilling the
> cellular
>> bastards trying to stop you using their aircards, too!...(c;
>
>
> Right, but since 80 is typically the http port, it's a safe bet that
> any system that allows web browsing leaves 80 open, as do most
> cellphone data plans.

Yes, including Verizon's Aircards...(c; We're counting on them not
noticing Skype connected aircards on port 80. They can't possibly
monitor ALL the connections on ALL the port 80s, can they? Because Skype
connects to other Skypes DIRECTLY, not through a central IP easily
traced, and your server connects are routed through other users IP to
spread out the load on the whole system and provide redundancy, they
can't even trace you to the Skype equivalent of a DNS...(c; Now, add
that to the big encryption scheme Skype uses for its interconnected voice
data and it's even fairly secure at 128 bits, I think.

>
>> Now for the trick! Buy SKYPE IN unlimited at home, where it's cheap.
>
>
>> DON'T CALL YOUR HOUSE OR OFFICE! Call your SKYPE name on
>> Skype...which
>> is FREE from anyplace on the planet! Set your SKYPE IN to FORWARD
>> it's
>> Skype In calls TO YOUR HOME, THE WIFE'S CELL OR THE OFFICE PHONE!
>> if you are OFFLINE, your call to the non-answering Skype-to-Skype
>> call....goes to FORWARDING! I forward Skype In calls to my
>> cellphone on
>> Alltel. It doesn't care where you forward them to, as long as it's
>> in
>> the STATES/Canada. Your Skype call to Skype at home is
>> free...forwards
>> free...calls the OFFICE, who can forward your call to anyone you
>> like IF
>> you have two lines or a switchboard! Great way around the tariffs...
>
>> (c;
>>
>> Larry
>> --
>> Shhh....don't tell Verizon!....or Alltel!
>
>
> That's a lot of hassle to save 2.1 cents a minute! Besides, doesn't
> forwarding Skype to a US landline charge you the 3.9c+2.1c/min? I
> might as
> well just direct dial the US from my Skype account and pay it.
>
> Thanks for the info, though.
> I'd better stick a ten-spot in my Skype Out account before I leave!
> Thanks again, Larry.
>
>

Precisely why everyone should be on Skype-to-Skype and not pay anyone a
dime for silly personal interconnects. There's no need to pay to sit and
BS with a friend when Skype is all free UNLESS you insist on calling into
the POTS system. Nothing can compare to that price....free of bogus
interconnect boxes like Voicestick and Vonage use....

It's really hard to argue with truly "FREE".



Larry
--
Search youtube for "Depleted Uranium"
The ultimate dirty bomb......

Todd Allcock <elecconnec@AmericaOnLine.com> wrote in news:Uh7Li.18785
$V22.3720@fe095.usenetserver.com:

> I can't get the built-in Windows Mobile 6 VoIP client to
> register (since their registrar server and proxy server are different)
> and now they don't even support their own MG3 ATA

Hey, Todd, check out Skype for Mobile on your WM6.
http://www.skype.com/download/skype/mobile/

I have the Sony Mylo Skype on the demo unit at Circuit City configured to
its own account with autoanswer so I can call it and listen in. Too bad it
doesn't have a webcam at that awful price....nuts. Skype for Mobile on the
Windows PDAs and now the Nokia N800 tablet, which is new, works great on
both cellphone broadband and any wifi. It will run in background, even if
you're on a PDA WM6 phone call..(c;

Keep track of your gigabytes if you install it. Don't want Verizon to dump
you!

Skype on a WM PDA doesn't have compatiblity problems....even running at the
same time as the computers and Netgear wifi Skype phone....

Larry
--
Search youtube for "Depleted Uranium"
The ultimate dirty bomb......

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!

At 28 Sep 2007 16:10:17 +0000 Larry wrote:

> Hey, Todd, check out Skype for Mobile on your WM6.
> http://www.skype.com/download/skype/mobile/


I have it on device, but it's too processor intesive for the pitiful
200MHz processor in my phone. Fring has less overhead, and allows me
to use Skype on the phone without audio chop.


> Skype for Mobile on the
> Windows PDAs and now the Nokia N800 tablet, which is new, works
great on
> both cellphone broadband and any wifi.

Yep- but another Benifit to Fring is that it will let you make Skype
calls over slow cellular data as well- anything over 30k is supposed
to work for voice.

> It will run in background, even if
> you're on a PDA WM6 phone call..(c;


Yep- I'm actually using an older version tailored for slow devices.
Maybe I'll try a new one and see if things have improved.


> Keep track of your gigabytes if you install it. Don't want Verizon
to dump
> you!


I'm with T-Mo- they don't even have a TOS...

>
> Skype on a WM PDA doesn't have compatiblity problems....even
running at the
> same time as the computers and Netgear wifi Skype phone....

Again, my PPC phone is slower than most- when I bought it a 18 months
ago, T-Mo and Cingular were hustling 200MHz models, while Verizon and
Sprint sold 400MHz units that work much better for Skype.

If I'm desperate to run Skype, I have a batch file on the device that
overclocks itto 230MHz then runs Skype. That works fine, but so does
Fring, without the overclocking. The neat thing about Fring is it
runs muliple VoIPs at once, so I can receive calls from both Skype
and a SIP account with a phone number (I don't have a Skype-In
number,) and place outgoing calls from either with only one app
running.


--

"I don't need my cell phone to play video games or take pictures
or double as a Walkie-Talkie; I just need it to work. Thanks for
all the bells and whistles, but I could communicate better with
ACTUAL bells and whistles." -Bill Maher 9/25/2003

Todd Allcock <elecconnec@AmericaOnLine.com> wrote in news:eHbLi.4804
$xN4.1570@fe087.usenetserver.com:

> If I'm desperate to run Skype, I have a batch file on the device that
> overclocks itto 230MHz then runs Skype. That works fine, but so does
> Fring, without the overclocking. The neat thing about Fring is it
> runs muliple VoIPs at once, so I can receive calls from both Skype
> and a SIP account with a phone number (I don't have a Skype-In
> number,) and place outgoing calls from either with only one app
> running.
>

I shouldn't have looked at the internet this week. Nokia's N800 has been
a want of mine for some time, free of the cellular control BS turning off
functions, BUT connectable with its Bluetooth interface to a cellphone's
data port. This thread has revived my want of the Linux-based N800.
http://www.nseries.com/index.html#l=...gns,n800,skype
It's now the browser-enabled Skype phone I've been waiting for. Unlike
the Netgear I have, that has no browser, it will logon to all the
webpage-based internet hotspots I had to carry the laptop Skype to
access. This is no longer necessary. It never had Skype before but now
it does, making it most attractive at around $350, no strings attached.
It's a beautiful piece of work that's much more functional, for me, than
a PDA or smartphone all hobbled up by some cellular bastards. I can
still use their system through its BT interface to the cellphone's data
port, if I must, and the carrier doesn't have access to it to shut down
its functions, which I think is a real important feature. It has stereo
speakers and a mic for Skype speakerphone plus the little webcam pops
right out of the side of it for full motion Skype video with anyone on
the planet...not important but great fun. "Hi there! As you can see,
we're in downtown Atlanta at XXXXXX. This is Jennifer." Ok, so I'm
dreaming...(c;

I've been reading about Nokia's next model to come out next year with the
slideout keyboard, instead of the touchscreen, with WiMax, probably from
Sprint. But, if I wait for that one, I'm going back to carrier hobbled
BS "they" control, back to the same old grind....a device made not to
give the best service, but to generate the best revenue for someone
else's pocket. The more I think about that, the more open my wallet
becomes. The price for it has only dropped $50 since its inception,
another indication of its usefulness. The buyers seem to love them,
especially the geeks like me.

The other feature N800 has is Maemo.org. It is, after all, an open
source Linux box the hackers think is, at the moment, really neat. This
shows by visiting Maemo and looking at the array of free software that
runs on it. These guys look like:
http://picasaweb.google.com/thoughtf...ckedSept272007
They're also the hackers unlocking the Nseries phones from carrier's
clutches, an unnecessary move on the N800 on wifi/BT.
There's lots of blogs:
http://tabletblog.com/
http://www.ultramobilegeek.com/
And there's more new software being ported to it or written for it each
week:
http://maemo.org/downloads/
They keep coming out with new codecs for things it was never designed to
play. Its Mplayer works with them. It now plays OGG, DivX, etc., lots
of stuff I already have thousands of. Supports all MPx formats, even
Realvideo/Realaudio so I can listen to BBC's radio channels on it. It
has an FM radio for the local stations. It also has speakers, but they
sound like a laptop. Ok for voice on Skype, but not 80's rock.

It isn't a PDA. I have a PDA but am retiring, so I'll not need its
business functions any more. I'd rather have the Opera flash-enabled web
browser that accepts plugins and actually shows most all the webpages.

Larry
--
Please - Turn OFF cruise control when
you turn on windshield wipers!

At 29 Sep 2007 13:36:21 +0000 Larry wrote:


> I shouldn't have looked at the internet this week. Nokia's N800
has been
> a want of mine for some time, free of the cellular control BS
turning off
> functions, BUT connectable with its Bluetooth interface to a
cellphone's
> data port. This thread has revived my want of the Linux-based N800.
> http://www.nseries.com/index.html#l=...gns,n800,skype


I haven't looked at them in awhile, but would the 770 work for you?
They were selling pretty cheap. Are they Linux-based too, or a Nokia
proprietary OS?


> I've been reading about Nokia's next model to come out next year
> with the slideout keyboard, instead of the touchscreen, with WiMax,
> probably from Sprint. But, if I wait for that one, I'm going back
> to carrier hobbled BS "they" control, back to the same old grind....
> a device made not to
> give the best service, but to generate the best revenue for someone
> else's pocket. The more I think about that, the more open my
wallet
> becomes.

I think you're being unfair. From what I understand from