Freebie

Check out logmein.com’s remote access solution.

2006-11-15T06:36:00.000-08:00

Check out logmein.com’s remote access solution. It’s free! I use it to access files on my home computer when I am traveling. Recently, I found another use for it

Sometimes I leave the house and forget to enable call forwarding on my D-Link DPH-50U Skype adapter. I just realized I can use logmein to remotely access my home computer and enable it so I don’t miss any of my Skype calls.

Free VoIP calls with VoIPBuster

2006-11-02T06:30:00.000-08:00

I just discovered new softphone called VoIPBuster.

This softphone allows you to make free calls to land lines in several countries. There is a small catch: you will need to buy some initial credits.

Anyway as more and more free VoIP services emerge, it makes you wonder how long will it take for the whole Earth to become one free local area.

Take Skype add some FuturePhone, get completely free VoIP

2006-10-18T10:22:00.000-07:00

Probably you already heard about FuturePhone that offers free international calls. The only catch is dialing a number in Iowa, which is a domestic call that you have to pay for.
I found a great way to turn this service to be completely free using Skype!
All you need is to set Skype account (which is free by the way!) and use it to dial the FuturePhone access number. If calling from N.America Skype will connect you for free to FuturePhone and you will be able to use it for free international and MOBILE calls.

The quality is great and I enjoy calling my European friends from the den using my D-Link DPH-50U telephone adapter

My new phone adapter

2006-10-12T07:43:00.000-07:00

I've been using Skype for about two and half years now and I love it. I use it to call friends and family for free and I also use SkypeOut to call my friends who haven't installed Skype yet or to reach my wife on her cell phone.

The biggest problem I had with Skype was that I had to be connected to my PC with my headset in order to use it. Last month, I was in CompUSA looking for Skype gadgets and unfortunately, the salesperson barely new what I was talking about when I asked about VoIP or Skype products. Anyway, I walked around the store and next to the cordless telephones I found a cool device from D-Link called the DPH-50U Skype USB phone adapter. It connects to my PC through the USB port. I connected my Motorola cordless phone base station to it and I also connected the DPH-50U to the phone line.

When I got home, I installed the adapter by running a setup utility from the CD-ROM that came in the box. Even though, I got a Windows unsigned driver warning message, the setup was pretty simply. At the end of the installation, Skype asked me if it was OK for the D-Link Agent to use Skype. I answered yes and that's all there was to it. I took a picture of my setup. You can see it below.

Now, when I receive a Skype call, my cordless phones ring. I can see the Skype username on the phone's caller ID display and answer the call as if it were a normal phone call. This is slick! When I want to make a Skype call, I pick up the phone, press ## and dial the SkypeOut number and press the * key. I am now using Skype around the house. The best part is that my phone still acts as it normally does for making and receiving regular phone calls.

One of the coolest features is that while I am on a regular call, I can still make and receive Skype calls. When I receive a Skype call, I hear a call waiting tone in the phone and can switch between my regular call and the Skype call I can even connect the two together into a conference call.

The user's manual talks about being to use my mobile phone with my Skype account but I haven't played around with it yet. So far, I love the DPH-50U.