Magic Jack phone

[Guest Alana]

Does anyone use Magic Jack for their phone service? I've heard it puts ads on your computer, hard to uninstall and they analyze the numbers you call to target the ads better. Any one use it?

I assume other phone services sell your info and analyze you anyways, but the ads on the computer sound lame, but for $20 a year I may be able to cope. I don't use the phone much anyways....

[marts1]

I know some people who use it. One person I know would def. not use it if the addware was bothersome at all.

[Dravin]

Have you looked into Vonage? Though I suppose that has a monthly fee ($15 then it bumps up to $25).

[Wingnut]

Have you looked into Vonage? Though I suppose that has a monthly fee ($15 then it bumps up to $25).

I have Vonage. We have unlimited local and long distance calling for $24 a month. The only downside is that if we lose power in a storm, we don't have a phone.

[Dravin]

I have Vonage. We have unlimited local and long distance calling for $24 a month. The only downside is that if we lose power in a storm, we don't have a phone.

Most folks with landlines and cordless phones are up the same creek. Though I suppose a cheap corded isn't too expensive to have as a back-up, or in my family's case we have an expandable corded phone, gives us the best of both worlds (wireless and corded).

[Wingnut]

Everyone who has a non-Internet-based landline should have a cheap corded phone for emergencies. When your landline is Internet-based, however, you're screwed in that department.

[gabelpa]

I have never trusted Internet only phone services for anything other than casual telephony. The lack of emergency services on VoIP is the main reason I would cite for keeping a landline.

Personally, I like Skype as a VoIP method, with skype out and skype in, you pay as you use.

[prisonchaplain]

Call me old school, but I have a cheap corded telephone/fax machine. I paid $40 for it, and then $20 for a roll of carbon sheeting. yeah--real old school. While I only use the fax 2-3 times a year, it sure is great when I do need it. And, yes, knowing I'm connected, if there is an emergency is nice.

[Guest Alana]

I think I'm going to go with Skype. I can pay 2.95 a month for unlimited usage in the US and Canada. I'm just done with Comcast:P

[LDSgirl]

Both of my brothers have a Magic Jack. One uses cable super high speed internet and it has great sound quality. My other brother has DSL and sometimes there is a skip in the sound. Neither one has trouble with extra spam though.

[rameumptom]

I used Magic Jack for a while. The ads are not too bothersome. With my computer, it tended to lock up on occasion, and so I didn't get all my calls. However, they have a free messaging service, which emails you the recorded messages.

I do use the phone a lot, and so needed it to be a little bit more reliable for me. However, for a second phone, or for someone who just needs to dial someone on occasion (or to dial long distance frequently), it works great for outgoing calls.