Wednesday, July 05, 2006
VOIP Information
Introduction
The way we make phone calls is changing. In fact in many circumstances things have already changed. Take long distance calls for instance, many service providers are already using a technology called Voice Over IP or VOIP for short. If you have never heard of VOIP before, then the following article will change the way you think about how long distance phone calls are being made now, and about how all phone calls will be made in the future. Voice Over IP (VOIP) is a method for turning analogue audio signals into digital data that can be transferred over the Internet.
You may be asking yourself how this is useful. Well think about it for a few seconds. If it is possible to turn analogue signals into digital data, then VOIP can turn a standard Internet connection into a method for placing phone calls anywhere in the world virtually free, except for your Internet service fee, enabling you to bypass the phone companies entirely.
Voice Over IP (VOIP) has the potential to completely revolutionise the way the worlds phone systems operate. There are many VOIP service providers that have been around for a while, and are growing steadily. Now the worlds leading telecommunications operators are waking up to the endless possibilities of this new technology, setting up VOIP calling centres around the world and promoting the sales of Voice Over IP phone systems. Read more information: http://online-articles.org
Making a call
With VOIP phone systems it is possible to make a call in one of three ways:
ATA (gateway) ? The simplest way to make a VOIP phone call is through the use of ATA's (analogue telephone adaptor) sometimes called gateways. These devices enable you to make use of your existing standard analogue phones. You simply plug your standard handset into the ATA (gateway) then connect the ATA to your computer or your Internet connection, enabling you to make VOIP calls. An ATA takes the analogue signal from your standard phone and turns it into a digital signal that ready for transmission over the Internet. Some ATA's (gateways) come with additional software that is loaded onto a host computer, enabling you to configure it for VOIP accurately.
IP Phones ? These handsets look just like normal standard handsets. They have an RJ 45 Ethernet connector instead of the standard RJ 11 connectors. These phones have all the necessary software and hardware to handle VOIP calls already built in them. They connect directly to your router, providing a very fast and cost effective entry into the world of Voice Over IP.
Computer to computer ? This is the easiest way to make use of the VOIP technology. There are many companies offering cost effective software that you can use for this type of VOIP. Usually the only charge you pay is the monthly one from your Internet service provider, even for long distance calls. All you need is a microphone, speakers, a suitable sound card and a fast Internet connection.
Chances are that you have already made a VOIP call without even realising it. The major phone companies already use VOIP to route thousands of long distance calls through a circuit switch and into an IP gateway. This is then received by a gateway at the other end and then routed to another local circuit switch. More and more companies are installing VOIP phone systems, and the technology will grow and grow until it finds its way into every business and household across the globe.Read more information: http://online-articles.org
VoIP Features
Because with VOIP you can make calls from anywhere you have access to a broadband connection, users can take their IP phones or ATA's with them on trips and still have access to what is essentially their home phone.
Some people use a softphone to access their VOIP service. A softphone is a specially developed software application that loads the VOIP service onto your desktop computer or laptop. Some even have an interface on the screen that looks like a traditional phone. These softphone applications allow you to place VOIP calls from your laptop; anywhere in the world you have access to a broadband connection.
Most traditional phone companies charge you for extra features that are added to your account. With VOIP service providers these usually come as standard. Features such as:
1. Caller ID
2. Call Waiting
3. Call Transfer
4. Repeat Dialling
5. Return Call
6. Three-Way Dialling
Some VOIP service providers also offer advanced call filtering features. These additional features allow you to decide how calls to a specific number are handled by using caller ID information. They allow you to:
1. Forward the call to a particular number
2. Send the call directly to voicemail
3. Give the caller a busy signal
4. Play a "not-in-service" message
Many VOIP services also allow you to check your voicemail over the Internet or attach messages to an e-mail that is sent to your computer or PDA. It's best to check with VOIP phone system suppliers and service operators exactly what features they offer as package and service prices vary greatly.
There are many other cost saving benefits that arise from a streamlined VOIP phone system network. For the network administrators, a VOIP phone system means they only have one network to maintain instead of two. The portability of the phone system is also greatly simplified. This is because most VOIP phone systems can be configured using a web interface, which can be managed by the network administrator. The MAC (move, add, change) process is made much easier, and you will not have to call your system/service provider for every MAC you carry out. All this means lower ongoing costs for your company.
Another cost saving for companies who implement a VOIP system is, because multiple offices, no matter where they are in the world are seamlessly connected, they can share many of the features VOIP can offer, such as:
1. One single receptionist
2. Auto attendant facilities
3. Voice mail system
Choosing a VOIP phone system
If you have decided that a VOIP phone system is the right step for your company, next you need to determine which of your existing telephone equipment you are able to keep. The potential cost savings that can be made through using any existing digital equipment are huge. Many digital phone systems can be IP enabled using minor hardware additions and software upgrades.
When shopping around for potential systems you need to be certain of the features they provide as standard and which are optional cost extras. You also need to be certain of exactly what is included with the system. Many suppliers claim to include everything you need, but standard components can vary from one company to the other. So you need to sure you are comparing equivalent systems when approaching potential suppliers.
You will also need to enquire about the compatibility of existing equipment. The technology used in many VOIP systems may affect the implementation of any existing telephone hardware.
You will also need to ensure that any devices such as fax machines, credit card processors, and security systems etc can be integrated into your new VOIP phone system. You should make any potential vendor aware of such devices so they can provide you with a suitable phone system for your requirements.Read more information: http://online-articles.org
Finally, do not try to save money by buying used VOIP phone systems. Remember VOIP is a new technology, so even last years equipment is outdated. Also the installation cost will still apply whether the system is new or second hand, and the service costs may even be higher due to reliability issues. To put it simply it just isn't worth the hassle, the higher secondary costs will wipe out any potential saving.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Dell laptop explodes at Japanese conference
AN INQUIRER READER attending a conference i n Japan was sat just feet away from a laptop computer that suddenly exploded into flames, in what could have been a deadly accident.
Gaston, our astonished reader reports: "The damn thing was on fire and produced several explosions for more than five minutes".
Should you witness such an event, his advice is, "Don't try anything courageous/stupid, stay away, away, away!"
"For the record, this is a Dell machine," notes Gaston. "It is only a matter of time until such an incident breaks out on a plane," he suggests.
Our witness managed to catch all the action in these amazing pictures.
"Fire extinguishers leave a mess on your suit and belongings; pack your stuff (if you can) and leave, leave, leave!" he advises.
We don't have any further details of the model of the computer in question. In light of the evidence, however, we'd suggest you avoid actually using a laptop on your lap. Ouch.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Russians cooked an egg with mobile phones
After, 15 minutes: The egg became slightly warm.
25 minutes: The egg became very warm.
40 minutes: The egg became very hot.
65 minutes: The egg was cooked.
Conclusion ..1: Cooking eggs with mobile phones is possible but very expensive ($4.55 or 123 Rubles)
Conclusion ..2: All this talk of danger is exaggerated; even if your brain gets cooked, it would take a couple hours of talking on a cell phone.
Conclusion ..3: We dont recommend carrying cell phone in your pants.
Source
Thursday, June 15, 2006
The Samsung i1310 with 8GB Hard disk
Samsung is the first to adopt a hard disk drive into mobile phones and has launched three
models equipped with a hard disk drive; the world's first 1.5GB HDD embedded phone (model: SPH-V5400), the world's first 3GB HDD embedded phone (model: SCH-V7900) and the world's first 3GB HDD Music smartphone (model: SGH-i300).
The i310 will be shown to public at CeBIT from March 9 th to March 16 th . It will be introduced in Europe market during the second half of this year. SGH-i310 Specifications
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| Standard | | GSM / GPRS (900/1800/1900MHz) + EDGE |
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| OS | | Windows Mobile 5.0 for Smartphone |
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| Camera | | 2 Megapixel Camera with Flash |
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| Display | | 2.0” 240x320 65K Color TFT |
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| Features | |  8 GB HDDVideo Recording & Messaging (MPEG4 / H.263)MP3 / AAC / ACC+ / ACC+(e) / WMA / WAV / OGGDual Speaker / Digital Power Amp / External Music Key / BT StereoBluetooth® Technology / USB 2.0 / Voice RecognitionDocument Viewer / TV-out / BT Printing |
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| Memory | | 8GB HDD embedded, External memory (microSD) |
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| Size | | 111.9 x 48.5 x 19.8 mm |
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| Weight | | 120 g |
source samsung.com
