It's not that I dislike Skype and Vonage, just that I think there are better values for your money and computer resources. The world is made much smaller by technology. For some reason, we continue to strive to make vast distances seem reachable. This has been going on for many millennia. Starting with domesticating animals to pack gear so we can travel long distances. Then riding them, then vehicles they can pull. Then boats, bicycles, cars and motorcycles. Next came airplanes. Now we are riding on the sea of electrons to reach the other side of the world in an instant. Yes the Internet.
Some of these are specific to US phone numbers, but many works just fine for anyone with a decent internet connection.
1. phone calls using Magic Jack. You will be given a US phone number (or you can select your own custom number for a small fee) Free to US numbers AND free to other Magic Jack numbers. $20/year + $20 initial purchase for the device. It's a small USB dongle. The best part is you can talk on your computer, or you can hook up a regular telephone (wireless) to the device. Plus if you leave the computer on, people can call you at this number just like any other US phone number.
2. Voice/video chat on the computer. I use Google's gtalk. Both sides will have to download a small add on to your browser. But many other ones are available such us Yahoo Messenger and MSN Live. Free service
3. phone calls using google's google voice. You'll be issued a phone number and when you're in gmail's website or google voice's website you can make phone calls directly from there. Free to US numbers. Have to talk using the computer's speaker and microphone. Will also forward your US number's phone calls to this service and keep copies and transcribe voice mails. Free service
4. phone calls using Ribbit.com. Mostly a call forwarding service to a number you'll be assigned. You can then get a transcription of your voice mails. But they've also added a free online phone. You can call US numbers for free. Free service
5. video conferencing using tinychat.com. It is a big virtual room where people can join and start chatting! Just like a big ol' meeting room. Of course you don't always have to use this as a business tool.
6. Conference call with many people in the US using Magic Jack's conference call number. Create your conference call ID number by calling 305-848-8888. Distribute this conference call ID number and let people know when you'll be on. voila! Wait but you're not in the US, how do you call in for free from Indonesia (or other countries)? Well use one of the services I've mentioned before silly (magicjack device, ribbit, or google voice).
7. SMS using Google Voice or a number of other services. Or you can find out the provider's email to SMS server and you can then send an email to the appropriate address.
T-Mobile: phonenumber@tmomail.net
Virgin Mobile: phonenumber@vmobl.com
Cingular: phonenumber@cingularme.com
Sprint: phonenumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com
Verizon: phonenumber@vtext.com
Nextel: phonenumber@messaging.nextel.com
US Cellular: phonenumber@email.uscc.net
SunCom: phonenumber@tms.suncom.com
Powertel: phonenumber@ptel.net
AT&T: phonenumber@txt.att.net
Alltel: phonenumber@message.alltel.com
Metro PCS: phonenumber@MyMetroPcs.com
where phonenumber = your 10 digit phone number
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