Hello, hello, hello?
Written: Aug 21 '00 (Updated Nov 07 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Free, easy to use, stable
Cons: Inconsistent voice quality, annoying to your callee, cannot call oversea numbers
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| hbj200's Full Review: Net2Phone |
Net2Phone has been around for a long time, although it's not free when you download it from Net2Phone's website. I've been using the free version bundled with MSN Messenger (http://messenger.msn.com), and I have not been impressed.
I thought Net2Phone would be better than the other PC-to-phone programs (Mediaring, dialpad, phonefree, etc.) because they have been in this game longer than the new comers. But no, Net2Phone is just as frustrating as the other guys. Do not expect to complete calls or get tolerable conversations during waking hours, although quality improves markedly when everyone else is at sleep. (But then, why would you want to call your friend is she's already gone to bed? Just to upset her and make her dislike you?)
The lite version that comes with MSN Messenger does not have an address book, so each time you have to type in the number you want to call (or pick it from the call history drop-down list). It's minimal in features, although it does allow you to make PC-to-PC calls to anywhere in the world.
I do not recommend any of these free PC-to-phone programs because unless your friend is a techie, you are likely to annoy them a lot.
(My rating is relative to other PC-to-phone programs.)
UPDATE (11/7/00): After being on the receiving end of various PC-to-phone calls, I have come to the conclusion that the technology is far from being adequate. It's very frustrating to talk to people via PC-to-phone. All too often one party (usually the caller) will hear good quality, but not realize that the conversation is actually painful for the other party. I suggest you *not* use PC-to-phone programs or at least always ask your callee if the quality is acceptable to her or him.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
hbj200
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Location: USA
Reviews written: 183
Trusted by: 10 members
About Me:
I'm poor but I'm proud. I'm a gadget freak. :)
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