Help.. How can I use my computer as a telephone? I need to call my parents!

[tec699]

Heres the deal...

I don't have a phone as I rarely use one. I do have a cell phone, but I use calling cards and the minutes are all used up! So I need to call my parents as I'm snowed in and high tide is coming in! I need to find out if they are experiencing the same conditions because I need to get my car ready for work. If it's to bad out there, I may call out but I need to know what the weather is like.

Also.. I've heard that people use their computers all the time to make long distance calls. And it cost them nothing. Wht can't I make a simple local call?

I've tried to use the telephone option and it doesn't connect.
Does having cable have anything to do with it?

So how can I use the telephone option on my computer so I can call out?



I have Windows XP
And I have a mic/headphone set
I have Comcast Cable

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Anubis]

1-800 collect

 

[Viper GTS]

If you have a phone line & a voice modem it would be easy, but then again you'd probably have a phone as well...

You're likely better off having someone call them for you.

And for the future, get a damn phone.

Viper GTS

 

[vi edit]

Do you not have long distance on your cell phone?

 

[Beau]

Net 2 Phone

Mediaring VoizPhone

DialPad PC to Phone

 

[MacBaine]

IP Relay! Search for that in google and get the AT&T site... it's fun

 

[tec699]

Guys please fully read my post...

1) I have a cable modem
2) I have a cell phone but my minutesa re used up
3) due to financial and personal reasons, I don't have a house phone.
- because I hardly ever use the phone so why pay for one.

I stated this all in my first post.

Can someone please help?

 

[vi edit]

Some phone cards let you recharge your minutes by billing your credit card. Do you have this option?

 

[tec699]

Oh yea... I could use credit but..

DOH!! my credit card is in my car which is parked many blocks away due to the storm!

 

[Beau]

Originally posted by: tec699
Oh yea... I could use credit but..

DOH!! my credit card is in my car which is parked many blocks away due to the storm!

How about paypal? Mediaring VoizPhone accepts paypal, and allows you to call your folks phone from your pc over the net.

 

[tec699]

I appreciated the help beau...

The first link that you posted was pretty tempting but was under construction. Thats the one I wanted to download.

but I installed net2 phone instead which looks pretty good.

Oh and I found my Credit Card!!

thxs again.

 

[Beau]

No prob Let me know how it works, I've always wanted to try it out, but never really had the time.