Thursday, July 30, 2009

MAJIC JACK

Does anyone in CV have personal experience with this internet telephone device and service?

It seems too good to be true.

Posted by Howard at 7/30/2009 09:05:00 AM

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11 comments:

elaineb said...

I have had magic jack for 1 ½ years, I use it for long distance business calls (shortish). The sound on mine is poor, my kids prefer to call me back with their unlimited minutes. I think the Comcast semi-hi CV special speed is the reason for crackle, buzz, broken words. People with hi hi speed seem to be more satisfied. I kept my land line local for extended local chats.
You can always search complaints etc online, eg http://rayoneil.com/magicjack.html
Magic Jack Help can be trying, polite foreign online chat goes on forever, and to infinity and beyond... Despite updates and help chats the sound qualilty has never improved,
Still its worth a try for the frugally inclined.
No problem with their billing.

Jul 30, 2009, 11:40:00 AM
Bob B said...

I can suggest trying skype.com, if the other people have computers. It is free, and you can talk and if you have web-cam, you can also see.
Second choice for low cost phone service is Pioneer Long Distance Phone Company. No charge per month and very minimum per minute, I think about 3 cents anywhere in USA. ( 1-888-492-6878)
Good Luck,
Bob

Jul 30, 2009, 3:00:00 PM
Anonymous said...

You will need $ 29 and a broadband for a magic jack.
All You will need for skype is a broadband.
Computer to computer calls are free, calls to a landline in Europe
cost me less than $ o.oo2 per minute. AT&T anyone? NOOOOOO!
j.b.

Jul 31, 2009, 3:36:00 PM
Howard said...

Thanks for the input, Only elaineb had information about Magic Jack. I do not need info about anything other that Magic Jack.

Forget about Skype etc.

Only Magic Jack comments.

Thank you very much

Aug 1, 2009, 9:20:00 AM
Anonymous said...

Oh, yasss, Howard.
The Magic Jack and the Comcast are
made for idiots just like you.
Go ahead, buy five of each. Or ten.
Who cares.

Aug 1, 2009, 9:37:00 PM
Howard said...

Yes. Anon.

Perhaps we can meet privtely to discuss in detail. Please send contact info...if no you are not afraid to identify yourself

Aug 1, 2009, 11:01:00 PM
UCO President said...

Hi A Nony Mouse
Aug 1, 2009 9:37:00 PM,

Why is there a need to call your neighbors "idiots" just because you disagree with them?
.............................

And now a few words about Magic Jack (MJ).

This is one of a number of devices or Software Applications (APS) that rely on Analog to Digital Conversion and onward transport of the binary data by means of VoIP, Voice over INTERNET Protocol.

The MJ process requires the following key components:

1) The MJ Dongle
2) A Computer
3) A Broadband Connection (128 Kbps minimum)

Components 2 and 3 make the entire processing chain inherently unreliable. What do I mean by reliable?

Your wired landline, known as POTS (Plain Old Telephone System) is called a "Five Nines" system. This means that it is 99.999% reliable; in other words, it is available for use essentially all of the time.

Thus, if you need to call 911 for example; your POTS is on and ready to
go.
With a computer based system; you first need to turn on the computer, wait while it boots up, hope that your ISP(INTERNET Service Provider) INTERNET is up and working and that the MJ AP (Software) is operating.

Not a very reassuring concept while you are suffering a heart attack.

So, Howard, I recommend that you consider this MJ device an unreliable "toy", which can indeed save you money; if and when it is working; but be prepared to suffer all of the frustrations and delays inherent in computer and INTERNET based technology.

To all of our readers I recommend that you please retain a minimal POTS Lifeline capability, because when you really need a phone; there is NO substitute.

Dave Israel

Aug 2, 2009, 3:15:00 AM
Howard said...

Thanks Dave

This is good info. My need to know is: does the device provide hassle free service. I just want to get a landline telephone number so that I can register it and be able to call security for my guests.

Aug 2, 2009, 8:27:00 AM
UCO President said...

Hi Howard
Aug 2, 2009 8:27:00 AM,

When working with computers, there is never a gaurantee of Hassle free service, that is my key point about reliability.

As for the land line number and calling in guests, that will be no problem.

Dave Israel

Aug 2, 2009, 11:01:00 AM
UCO President said...

Hi Howard,

You might find the following BLOG interesting, as regards others experiences with MJ:

http://broadband-nation.blogspot.com/2008/10/real-problems-with-magic-jack-is-majic.html

Dave Israel

Aug 2, 2009, 11:22:00 AM
Denny said...

I have been using Magic Jack for about 3 months and love it. The sound on the phone is not as high as I would like it, but that may be the phone. For $19.95 a year for unlimited long distance to any place in the USA and Canada, I don't think you can beat it. I also use it to call England, and that only costs 2 cents per minute.

I also use Skype for video calls to all my friends and family that have it. That's free (my favorite price)

I would like to know, can I get rid of my Bellsouth phone and use my Magic Jack to call guests in the gate? If I get rid of my Bellsouth phone, I will save about $230 per year.

Aug 11, 2009, 5:48:00 PM

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