Talk is Cheap: (O'Reilly Ser.)

Fed up with the high tolls charged by your ordinary telephone service? If you're itching to cut the copper cord with your costly, traditional phone service, you need "Talk is Cheap," the new, easy-to-understand guide to understanding and using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and other Internet telephone options. Technologies such as VoIP are gaining a great deal of attention these days as more people switch from standard telephone service to phone service via the Internet. But while the cost savings are outstanding, there are some issues with Internet telephony that you should know about. Are the connections reliable? Is the quality comparable? Will it include 911 services? James Gaskin's "Talk is Cheap" addresses these issues and many more by explaining how to make the switch and what the tradeoffs will be if you opt for Internet telephony over traditional phone services. "Talk is Cheap" focuses on the increasingly popular services from Vonage, which uses VoIP, and Skype--a free service that operates as a peer-to-peer (P2P) network with the ability to turn any PC, Mac, or Pocket PC into a telephone. The book explains your options; explores the background behind, the workings of, and differences between VoIP and P2P networks; and discusses the advantages and drawbacks of both technologies (including service offerings, quality, capabilities, completion rates, and more). "Talk is Cheap" then goes into detail on what you can expect in Internet service from traditional phone companies such as Verizon and AT&T. In addition, you will learn more advanced techniques, including how to turn your Palm or Pocket PC into an Internet phone and how to work with Wi-Fi phones and videophones. A straightforward, quick introduction to the ins and outs of using Internet telephone services, this book provides everything you need to make informed telephone decisions--whether you're thinking about the switch from traditional phone service or have already made it and want to get the most out of your new Internet telephone.

Table of Contents:
Preface Chapter 1. How Internet Telephone Calls Work Analog to Digital, Voice to Data VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Riding the Internet Past the Telephone Companies Redial Chapter 2. Your Internet Phone Phone-Centric Providers Computer-Centric Providers What's Old Is New Again: Internet Telephony from Phone Companies Redial Chapter 3. Free Internet Phone Features that You're Paying for Now Saving Money Handling, or Not, Calls Other Features Optional ($$) Features Redial Chapter 4. Choosing Your Internet Phone Equipment Phone-Centric Equipment Computer-Centric Equipment Beyond Standard Voice to Video Redial Chapter 5. Vonage and Other Broadband Phone Carriers Broadband Phone Carriers What You Get with a Broadband Phone Before You Sign Up Signing Up After You Sign Up Troubleshooting Redial Chapter 6. Skype and Other Computer-centric Services Skype and Competitors Stumbling Blocks Computer-Centric Phone Features How to Sign Up Requirements How Much? Decision Checklist for New Users Using Skype Managing Your Account Skype for the Pocket PC What Skype Forgets to Tell You Troubleshooting Redial Chapter 7. 911, Alarms, and Other Outgoing Calls 911 Issues Alarm Systems and TV Device Phone Links SkypeOut Broadband Enhancements to Traditional Telephone Services Redial Chapter 8. Tricks, Tips, and Techniques for Advanced Users Adding Phone Extensions by Rewiring or Other Options Improving Your Call Quality Conference Calls Skype Instant Messaging Tricks Broadband Phone Politics Redial Chapter 9. Go Wireless Skype and SIP-Friendly Cordless Phones Wi-Fi Internet Phones Futures Redial Index

About the Author :
James E. Gaskin writes books, articles, columns, and jokes about technology. As a network consultant in the Dallas area, he's helped scores of companies untangle their problems with NetWare, NetWare-to-Unix integration and Internet access. As an author, Jim has helped people learn the technical issues about computers and networking, as well as how to better deal with the people sitting in front of those computers.

Review :
"This is a great introduction to VoIP services, with lots of focus on easy-to-use options, such as Skype and Vonage." Computer Buyer, December 2005