Re: [tlug] skype alternatives

[Jim <jep200404@example.com>]

Steve S. wrote:

> My ISP doesn't offer VOIP ...

Be glad. ISPs tend to behave as monopolies and lock out alternatives. 
You can do VOIP directly from person to person, 
or if either or both end is a real phone, 
you can get into services that handle the conversion. 

> What are the alternatives?  

The ability of Skype to be easily installed by novices, 
and to work behind firewalls is unsurpassed by other VOIP offerings. 

GnomeMeeting and Asterisk come to mind as alternatives. 

   http://www.colug.net/pipermail/colug432/2006-January/001939.html

> Is an ISP offering VOIP just something that doesn't happen here in the US 

I regularly receive paper mail from my US ISP offering VOIP 
for "only" an additional $39.95 per month.