HELLO & WELCOME

[WelshPaul]

A SoftPhone allows you to use your computer to make and receive voice calls over the Internet.

SoftPhones are really just software that runs on your computer and emulates a real telephone. They usually render an image of a telephone or a windows interface that provides the user with buttons for dialling, disconnecting, volume controls, etc.

The softPhone often has many optional features such as phone book (contact list), redial, call record, conferencing, call history, and perhaps many other optional features.

The future trend is for softphones to be web browser based, in which case there is no software to down load.

Generally speaking, there are two categories of softphones:

• Pre-configured
• User-Configuragle

Examples of pre-configured softphones are Google Talk, Gmail's Voice and Video Chat plugin, and Skype.

A good example of a user-configurable softphone is the 3CXPhone softphone. In a later topic, I explain how to configure the 3CXPhone softphone with one of my favourite VoIP service providers - Voipfone.

[jonjonscove]

Thanks for the information. I have used Skype before, but I would like to check out Google talk, now that you have mentioned it. I have been using text free voice. It,s a great soft phone app.

[dibts]

I have been a fan of Skype ever since it was invented. Thanks to that technology, I can stay connected to my loved ones even when they're far. I don't need to pay a lot just to contact them. It's really cool!

[kylerlittle]

Skype is really awesome. I used it and I even got subscription, It's the most amazing VoIP program, in my experience it's so cheap and great alternative for all others.

[dibts]

Skype is really awesome. I used it and I even got subscription, It's the most amazing VoIP program, in my experience it's so cheap and great alternative for all others.

I couldn't agree more. The best part is you could even really use it for free!

[sbatz1972]

I tried out the Xlite. I did not like it too much. I have also tried out Skype. I think I get the best reception and service from Google Hangouts.

[Tanawan]

I have th same opinion about Google Hangouts. I tried Xlite and Skype too, but as you said the best service was from Google Hangouts.

[Sunflogun]

Google always delivers a great service and hangouts is definitely not an exception. At this time Skype is also a strong competition though.