MagicJack

**cycloneML** · 10-05-2010, 09:41 PM

does this thing work? can you keep your phone number and DSL?

**CyForPresident** · 10-05-2010, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by cycloneML

does this thing work? can you keep your phone number and DSL?

I have no idea what this thread is about, but it gave me an idea.

Hilton Coliseum = Hilton Magic
Jack Trice Stadium = Magic Jack

**CycloneGB** · 10-05-2010, 09:48 PM

Did Billy Mays ever try to sell it???

Then it doesn't work

**nj829** · 10-05-2010, 10:17 PM

Consumer Reports tested it and came away with a worth a look idea. Just plugs into a USB port and then you plug in a standard phone line to the USB and you are good to go.

**CtownCyclone** · 10-05-2010, 10:29 PM

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWPwrIVk6v4&feature=related]YouTube - ESPN360 | "Billy Mays Office"[/ame]

Live sports travel through this wire to the back of your desktop...

**CycloneGB** · 10-05-2010, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by CtownCyclone

YouTube - ESPN360 | "Billy Mays Office"

Live sports travel through this wire to the back of your desktop...

Way better than work at work

**cstrunk** · 10-05-2010, 11:12 PM

Now my job is way less soul-crushing.

**RING4CY** · 10-05-2010, 11:38 PM

Originally Posted by cycloneML

does this thing work? can you keep your phone number and DSL?

I don't have it, but people I know swear by it. They say you have to have high speed, fast speed internet (I don't have fast internet) for it to be able to work.

**MrGreg** · 10-06-2010, 12:05 AM

I'm partial to Ooma myself...rock solid and no PC required. MagicJack does have its advantages, mainly that it's small (more portable) and there's no big upfront cost.

**woodie** · 10-06-2010, 12:28 AM

i have it and it is great for calling in the us and canada.for a few extra pennies you can call world wide.
my only complaint is the advertising they do when you try to make a call.after your call is launched, you may receive some bull@#@t advertising and that is irritating as h@#l to me .i do not like people who waste your time when you make calls.

**Acylum** · 10-06-2010, 03:21 AM

If you have kids you should be aware the police, fire dep't, etc cannot match a 911 call to a resident address if you have MagicJack. There were other things I've forgotten about that made me rule it out. The advertising thing was one of them. Try Googling MagicJack review, I think that's what I did. I am surprised Consumer Reports gave it even a lukewarm reccommendation.

**dmclone** · 10-06-2010, 05:40 AM

I have Ooma. A little better technology. More expensive to start but cheaper every month.

**jeff0514** · 10-06-2010, 06:22 AM

I have MagicJack and have never received advertising. Works great for the price. Sometimes it can be a little quirky, and I may have to reboot it by unplugging it and replugging it back into the USB port. But for $40 up front and $20 a year afterwards, you can't really go wrong. The 911 issue is a downside, but I guess that's a risk I'm willing to take.

**dmclone** · 10-06-2010, 06:43 AM

I assume you have to leave your PC on for magicJack to work?

**HandSanitizer** · 10-06-2010, 07:44 AM

Couple of Things...
I have used MagicJack for 2 years now. I paid $59.99 for 5 years of service.
We mainly use our cellphones so a LAN line was not needed, but we wanted a common phone number to give places like pizza hut, soccer, basketball etc.....
The way I have it setup is I have an old crappy computer in the basement that stays on all the time. I have MagicJack running on that computer. I already had a 5 set wireless phone set. So I put the Base in the basement which is plugged directly into the computer MagicJack device. (looks like a usb flash drive) When I get a call in the house it rings all phones.

I got to pick my number out. They are working on being able to keep your number but I think they ran into a legal block?

One thing I really like is I have email to my phone so I set Magic jack to email me the message when I get a vmail. So then I just listen to it on my phone. I have it sending my wife a text also.

Not sure about the 911 comment above, because I had to register the number in the 911 services when you select your number. That was a big deal because I have small kids at home that may need to use the phone or even a babysitter etc..

CONS:
I have 5 computers running in the house. If someone is downloading things and you are on the phone then it can get choppy.
I only have 1.5Mb DSL though, plus if you have the right networking device you can setup up better Quality of Service.
To be honest...it only cost $20 a year at the most. That is like a round of beers at the bar.