It’s getting sporadic in here in terms of updates due to some MAN trying to stick it to me.
Here’s an update for you.
You can dial 911 on your cellphone even if you don’t have any service provider.
I’m assuming this is news to you all who read this blog or else you would have told me when I was debating getting Voice-Over IP (VOIP) as my phoneline. But I didn’t bother because if the power went out, I would not have 911 access.
Well, it doesn’t matter anyhow. As long as I have my cell phone charged up and in a place I’ll remember, and the power goes out and I need to call 911, voila, I just dial it and it’s good to go.
Or, alternatively, if I need it in the car. Throw it in the glovebox and if I need to dial 911, just do it.
So, I’m now going back to look at options for getting VOIP for a phone line.
What are the benefits of VOIP? Let me just put it this way.
How much do you spend on your phone in a month?
Alex found a place where he pays $2.50 a month for his phone service. Granted, he also has a cellphone that he uses regularly. But $2.50 a month (plus $0.04 cents a minute for calls outside the network (this means places outside Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal aka all the big southern cities) or $0.011 cents for calls within the network) is not something to be scoffed at.
I’m going out on a limb and encouraging YOU, my faithful reader, to look into VOIP for yourself.
Here are some starting points in terms of companies:
http://vonage.com – your standard run of the mill high advertising campaign companies
http://www.get3web.com/ – courtesy of Mike. We’re looking into this. Phone plus free Internet for $39.95? Shawing!
http://unlimitel.ca/wholesalevoip.html – This is the one Alex uses for $2.50 a month.
Caveat emptor people! Do a lot of research if you’re going to switch to VOIP. For example, take a look at your old phone bills and determine things like:
- How many minutes to use the phone?
- How many minutes are dedicate for long distance?
- Do I need to purchase anything like a $150 modem/router/gadget to get the service?
If you do your research before jumping in, you may find out that you are still going to save quite a bit of money over the month (perhaps even half your bill!)
11 replies on “Harder and Harder”
Alex was telling me about his unlimitel, sounds pretty good. But you must be conscienous not to talk too much…
I think the worst part about all these VOIP services that you are ignoring, is that:
1)you must have a computer, and
2)you must have hi-speed internet.
IMO – those are 2 big downsides.
Consider this: how much are you paying for hi speed internet and how much did you pay for your computer?
Hmm…you definitely need to get internet. But I’ve never heard that you actually need a computer.
And as for the cost of high-speed internet, I’m definitely looking into the 3Web thing where you buy their local phone line and get the Internet for free. what’s up with that? Where’s the catch?
Now that I”ve done some more research, I do need a computer, although I don’t see why.
Anyhow, you are very correct in pointing out the fact that you need to own a computer.
But then, look at the specs on the computer it’s asking for…it’s an ancient computer you need.
Anyhow, like anything in this world, not everything is suited for the same people.
I’m still surprised James that you don’t own a computer!!!
Catch up with the times man!!
Ha! That is a good point. Well, if it’s a choice of not owning one, that’s cool…
But if you needed a computer, I’m sure us tech guys have enough parts between us to fashion you one.
After spending 8 hours a day in front of one the last thing I want to see when I get home is another computer. That’s JMHO. We are talking about it though so we may cave one of these days.
If (when) you cave, keep this site in mind.
http://www.refurbcomputers.ca/
I wouldn’t cave if I were you. I would stick to your guns and say “No way am I having any sort of computer inside my house!”
I have a question though because this has intrigued me. I would never go without a computer in a house. I would sooner go without television, microwave, and MAYBE my BBQ (alright, I would never give up my BBQ).
So…if you ever had to make a spreadsheet or some sort (I don’t know for what…perhaps a budget?) do you do it by hand?
What about online banking? Do you even bother doing online banking?
The most logical deduction to my questions is to realize that you both probably do all of this using your computer at work, hence you don’t need one at home.
So, what about digital photos? Do you just upload them to your computer at work and leave them there?
I suppose I’m just fascinated by the fact that you don’t use one, but at the same time have so much admiration for you two to stick to your guns and NOT have one. It’s like realizing that there are way more important things in life than to use a computer.
ya we pretty much do all that stuff from work.
As for photos I’ll upload them to my computer here and then burn them on a CD. Also I can just send them to futureshop or wherever to get developed online from work or just use the burnt CD.
Anything I need a computer for (emails, online banking, uploading pics, websurfing, etc), I do it at work.
The only reason I would want one for home would be so that I could build more bridges in my spare time.
Fascinating.
So I guess what is comes down to is that when you get a job change which has restrictions on a computer, that’s when you’ll get a computer at home, right?
Or when you have a kid in school and they’ll need one for homework.