Magic Jack

KK

Lifer
Jan 2, 2001
15,903
4
81
can someone say sunrocket? I don't see how they'd be able to stay in business only charging 20 a year. doesn't seem doable.
 

BUTCH1

Lifer
Jul 15, 2000
20,433
1,769
126
Originally posted by: KK
can someone say sunrocket? I don't see how they'd be able to stay in business only charging 20 a year. doesn't seem doable.

Agreed, it's insanely low but if it goes belly-up your only out the $39.99 not
$100-200 so I might give it a shot..
 

Crono

Lifer
Aug 8, 2001
23,720
1,502
136
I remember hearing about this company w while back and thinking that they sounded too good to be true. However, after being burned by the Sunrocket, and now being with Packet8 (which has some quality issues for me) I think $20 for this isn't too risky an investment. I'm hoping the big telecos and VoIP providers don't force this company under before I get a chance to at least try it.
 

Pardus

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2000
8,197
21
81
so with magicjack your pc needs to be on 24/7 for it to work? the device looks like it takes up 2 usb ports as well.
 

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,829
3
0
I don't understand how a USB port is supposed to take the stress all these long devices with their own jacks put on it. I guess this isn't as bad as a USB TV tuner that would have a stiff coax cable on the end.
 

BUTCH1

Lifer
Jul 15, 2000
20,433
1,769
126
Originally posted by: ActiveX
so with magicjack your pc needs to be on 24/7 for it to work? the device looks like it takes up 2 usb ports as well.

Yea, the 'puter must be on for it to work but I really dont want any calls @ 3AM when it's
off anyway. I always have stuff with long cables on my USB (joystick, camera) no
problems so far, just try to keep the cables out of reach so they won't snag anything..
 

daveymark

Lifer
Sep 15, 2003
10,573
1
0
Been using it for a few months now, works great. I have a usb extension cable so it doesn't take up two ports. it's actually $29.99 somewhere, I'll see if I can find the link
 

daveymark

Lifer
Sep 15, 2003
10,573
1
0
ok just checked my signup email, looks like it was a promo going on back then. the url was talk4free.com, but now it just redirects.

still well worth it for $40.

neatest part about it is it has a softphone too, so throw it in your laptop case with a headset and you can make calls on the road too.
 

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,829
3
0
Originally posted by: BUTCH1
Originally posted by: ActiveX
so with magicjack your pc needs to be on 24/7 for it to work? the device looks like it takes up 2 usb ports as well.

Yea, the 'puter must be on for it to work but I really dont want any calls @ 3AM when it's
off anyway. I always have stuff with long cables on my USB (joystick, camera) no
problems so far, just try to keep the cables out of reach so they won't snag anything..

The issue isn't the long cable. The issue is the long device that the cable plugs into. The long thing plugged into the USB jack creates a lot of leverage.
 

BUTCH1

Lifer
Jul 15, 2000
20,433
1,769
126
Originally posted by: Throckmorton
Originally posted by: BUTCH1
Originally posted by: ActiveX
so with magicjack your pc needs to be on 24/7 for it to work? the device looks like it takes up 2 usb ports as well.

Yea, the 'puter must be on for it to work but I really dont want any calls @ 3AM when it's
off anyway. I always have stuff with long cables on my USB (joystick, camera) no
problems so far, just try to keep the cables out of reach so they won't snag anything..

The issue isn't the long cable. The issue is the long device that the cable plugs into. The long thing plugged into the USB jack creates a lot of leverage.

Agreed, maybe I'll plug it into my back USB and use a piece of dowell for support
or use an extension cable. Either way I can get rid of ATT and their assinine
fees, $1 per month for "occasional worldwide calling access fee" among others,
that just chaps my ass...
 

Codewiz

Diamond Member
Jan 23, 2002
5,758
0
76
I have it. No problems with it since I have a Windows Home Server running all the time for backups, storage and streaming to all my devices.

My only issue was that home server isn't officially supported. Had to do a hack to get it to work
 

Savarak

Platinum Member
Oct 27, 2001
2,718
1
81
I just got mine, for 40 bucks, (well i actually did spring for the $19 2nd year, so for 60, even if it went belly up in 6 months, i still get 6 months at $10/mo which is still darn good
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Originally posted by: Codewiz
I have it. No problems with it since I have a Windows Home Server running all the time for backups, storage and streaming to all my devices.

My only issue was that home server isn't officially supported. Had to do a hack to get it to work

That doesn't make sense.

Or did I miss something...
 

NoShangriLa

Golden Member
Sep 3, 2006
1,652
0
0
Originally posted by: ActiveX
so with magicjack your pc needs to be on 24/7 for it to work? the device looks like it takes up 2 usb ports as well.
My PC doesn't stay on 24/7 because I use it for out going call only (MagicJack doesn't support my Canadian local code presently), and the sound quality is way better than Vontage or my local ISP voice over IP serviced.

MagicJack is a bit thick for direct USB slot however the package that I got include a short USB dongle/extension cable.

PS. I got it @ 29.99 not too long ago.

 

eplebnista

Lifer
Dec 3, 2001
24,123
36
91
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: Codewiz
I have it. No problems with it since I have a Windows Home Server running all the time for backups, storage and streaming to all my devices.

My only issue was that home server isn't officially supported. Had to do a hack to get it to work

That doesn't make sense.

Or did I miss something...

The MagicJack device is only officially supposed to work on Windows XP or Vista. Several people have found ways to run it on other versions of Windows though. The last time I checked it did not work at all with either Linux or Mac systems.

Mine has worked fine so far. I have saved almost $200 in possible long distance charges by using it, so if they do a sunrocket tomorrow I will still have gotten my moneys worth from it.
 

Codewiz

Diamond Member
Jan 23, 2002
5,758
0
76
Originally posted by: eplebnista
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: Codewiz
I have it. No problems with it since I have a Windows Home Server running all the time for backups, storage and streaming to all my devices.

My only issue was that home server isn't officially supported. Had to do a hack to get it to work

That doesn't make sense.

Or did I miss something...

The MagicJack device is only officially supposed to work on Windows XP or Vista. Several people have found ways to run it on other versions of Windows though. The last time I checked it did not work at all with either Linux or Mac systems.

Mine has worked fine so far. I have saved almost $200 in possible long distance charges by using it, so if they do a sunrocket tomorrow I will still have gotten my moneys worth from it.

Correct, magicjack with stock software will say that Windows 2003 server(what windows home server is based on) is not supported. There is a thread on the magicjack forum on how to get around it.

 

eplebnista

Lifer
Dec 3, 2001
24,123
36
91
Originally posted by: Codewiz
Originally posted by: eplebnista
Originally posted by: Goosemaster
Originally posted by: Codewiz
I have it. No problems with it since I have a Windows Home Server running all the time for backups, storage and streaming to all my devices.

My only issue was that home server isn't officially supported. Had to do a hack to get it to work

That doesn't make sense.

Or did I miss something...

The MagicJack device is only officially supposed to work on Windows XP or Vista. Several people have found ways to run it on other versions of Windows though. The last time I checked it did not work at all with either Linux or Mac systems.

Mine has worked fine so far. I have saved almost $200 in possible long distance charges by using it, so if they do a sunrocket tomorrow I will still have gotten my moneys worth from it.

Correct, magicjack with stock software will say that Windows 2003 server(what windows home server is based on) is not supported. There is a thread on the magicjack forum on how to get around it.

I just use it on XP Pro SP2. The old official MJ forums had most of its content removed 6 weeks ago or so and is currently completely down. There is an unofficial forums and a few threads on DSLR though.

http://forum.magicjack.com/forum/

http://unofficialmagicjack.forum2u.org/index.php?
 

eplebnista

Lifer
Dec 3, 2001
24,123
36
91
Originally posted by: mingsty
Wait...so let me get this straight.... it's not a scam?

MagicJack is not a scam, although they may not stay in business for a long time. It was still worth it for me and stills works fine for my use. :thumbsup:
 

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
91
my dad got one of these but hasn't hooked it up or used it yet. i don't know if he knows tha much about it though, and leaving the pc on all the time is something i'd highly doubt he'd want to do.