[Year 12 IPM] I'm leaping into the VoIP

[Meadows, Roslyn M]

Congratulations Mark!!
 
I would follow suit but unfortunately next year's Yellow Pages ads have gone in, so it would be a bit of a problem to change phone numbers. Although I could pay for redirection I guess.
 
Who are the service providers for VoIP? Are they existing IP's or phone companies? Do you think Optus and Telstra will eventually jump on the band wagon?
 
With optus cable and 2 phone lines I get one month out of three free for the cable internet  - will you still get that ? (I thought you had to have the 2 phone lines)
 
Do you have to have your computer and cable modem turned on all the time? Can you use an answering machine with the VoIP? Can you have call waiting? Can you have call diversion (eg divert to your mobile when you are going out?)
 
Also one of my lines is a dedicated fax - does VoIP cover fax lines, or just voice (ignorant aren't I!!) I guess the Vo does stand for voice! Or can you fax straight from/to your computer?
 
Sounds like a Very outstanding Innovative Product! Sorry for all the questions.
 
How are your IT numbers for next year shaping up? We have dropped 3 VCE IT classes (not because the kids have not chosen it but because 12 classes have been dropped from the VCE blocks) Also our principal is talking about integrating IT at Years 7-9. I don't think there will be anything for me to do here next year. Any jobs going for a dedicated IT teacher over there?
 
Cheers to all and hope you are enjoying your break! I am in agony already from a day spent gardening and knocking down rendered and hard plastered walls! 
 
Ros Meadows (TONS)
Bentleigh SC
9579 1044
meadows.roslyn.m at edumail.vic.gov.au
 
"Furious activity is no substitute for understanding." H. H. Williams 

________________________________

From: ipm-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Mark Kelly
Sent: Mon 9/19/2005 2:42 PM
To: Year 12 Information Technology Processing and Management Teachers'Mailing List
Subject: [Year 12 IPM] I'm leaping into the VoIP



Dear all

I'm taking the plunge and cashing in my Optus home landline for a VoIP
phone account.  (Since I have cable internet, I don't need to keep my
existing landline as ADSL users have to do.)

I'm going for the ATA with DID - the ATA [Analogue Telephone Adaptor] is
a $120 black box that connects my existing phone to my router and the
internet.

The DID [Direct Inward Dial] is a virtual phone number that lets me call
real [PSTN] phones anywhere in the world and receive calls from real
phones from anywhere.

Alas, I can't keep my existing PSTN phone number  :-(

All calls [even STD] within Oz are 10c (untimed) and international calls
are about 33% or less of Telstra/Optus.  Monthly subscription is $10
(half of what Optus asks).

If you want a risk-free trial, you can get free VoIP using software and
headset/mikes but you can only talk to other people using the same
software if they're currently on the internet - you can't call normal
phones or get called by them.

I'll let you know how it goes.

--
Mark Kelly
Actively on Holiday from being
Manager - Information Systems
McKinnon Secondary College

IPM Lecture notes: http://vceit.com
Moderator: IPM Mailing List

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