Out the Window Computer

Worthwhile VoIP?

I’d like to have a separate line for the SO’s up and coming artistic endeavors, but after I get done paying the cellphone bill, the last thing I want to do is spend any more money. (And I don’t even have all the bells and whistles on my plan!)  I also work in the security industry, and have had any number of first hand experiences with VoIP being a pain in the ass.

It takes a lot for VoIP to catch my interest.

That said, I found this thing called Ooma on the Amazon site the other day, and I get the feeling I might just buy it in the next few months after the holidays.  Several things about Ooma really catch my eye right off.  One, it connects to my network directly, this is great for two reasons: I’m always looking for something else that will connect to the network, and vastly more importantly, it does not require a computer to be constantly on in order to work (like Magic Jack). I turn off the majority of my hardware when its not in use (and disconnect power), it saves money, thus not having to keep an always on machine is a big plus.

Two, the online, access from anywhere Ooma lounge, which allows e-mail-like access to voicemail messages and other phone settings.  I hate traditional voice mail somewhat passionately, I never listen to it, and I really wish it would come in convenient written form instead of the kind that I need to listen to.  The ability to drop telemarketer messages in the trash is great too.

Three, and maybe this should have been number one, but I’m shallow and thus all about the bells and whistles. Free phone service, what doesn’t rock about that?

At a pricetag somewhere between $200 and $250 dollars (depending on the day and sale), Ooma definitely doesn’t fall on my pre-Christmas gadget list.  Come next year, however, I think I might just give it a try.  Anyone that already has, feel free to let us know how it turned out in the comments.

Ooma