Quality of Internet telephone improving
October
20, 1996
By JIM BROOKS
Internet telephony software is booming in popularity and more
companies are getting into the field. Both Netscape and Microsoft
have some sort of Web phone capacity built into their latest browsers,
and there are a growing number of phone-only Web applications available.
The latest I've tested successfully is FreeTel 1.0 from FreeTel
Communications. I used the beta version of the software some months
ago, and while impressive, the audio quality was still something
like AM radio with thunderstorms nearby -- audible, but not
very pleasant.
FreeTel and other software vendors have created a niche market that's
gotten lots of notice -- from both Internet users and telephone
companies. But like its competitors, FreeTel has come a long way
in a few months to upgrading and improving its product.
FreeTel's software is available from their Web site at http://www.freetel.com/,
and unlike some other Web phone software, isn't crippled and has
no expiration date; FreeTel is advertiser supported. FreeTel 1.0
is a significant improvement over the beta version I first tested.
The audio quality is much improved (though users of 14.4k modems
will see less of an improvement). The quality at 28.8k isn't bad;
in fact, I can remember when it wasn't uncommon for telephone connections
to sound worse.
FreeTel uses an IRC-like server for its communications. When you
start the software, it connects to one of its servers. From there,
a directory lists all the other FreeTel users connected at that
time.
And there are plenty.
From the directory, you can scroll through hundreds of users from
around the world. I've chatted with high school students in Malaysia,
a college student in Egypt, numerous European and users in North
and South America. And the connections are usually very, very good.
Sometimes the audio gets a little clipped when chatting with someone
across the globe, but it still remains clearly understandable.
In fact, you can test your foreign language skills out using FreeTel,
since many users from abroad don't know much English.
I have been an amateur radio operator (``ham'' operator) for about
10 years, and via radio, talked around the globe to other hams.
With FreeTel, I can avoid the static and erratic ionospheric conditions
and make contacts with people all over the world -- with only
my computer and microphone.
Besides the audio chats, you can also have live keyboard-to-keyboard
chats, which is a handy feature for times when language or accents
become a barrier. Many FreeTel users prefer using text-only, so
a multimedia PC or always required.
To run FreeTel, you need to run Windows 3.1, Windows 95 or Windows
for Workgroups (Windows NT and Macintosh versions will be available
soon). You also need a 486/33 or faster computer (a faster PC provides
better sound quality). At least 4 MB of RAM is recommended; more
if you are using Windows 95 or running Netscape at the same time.
Approximately 1 MB of hard disk space is required. A 14.4k modem
connection to the Internet is needed; a faster connection also provides
superior audio quality.
You'll also need a sound card, speakers and a microphone, which
nearly all multimedia-equipped computers have as standard equipment.
FreeTel 1.0 is free for downloading; however, you can upgrade the
software to activate some advanced features. For $29.95, you can
upgrade to FreeTel plus, and for $39.95, FreeTel Personal Edition,
which lets the user disable the advertising window.
OTHER OPTIONS. FreeTel isn't the only Web phone software
package -- there are many out available for downloading.
C|Net Central recently reviewed Web phone software, and you may
want to stop there for an overview of what's available. Visit C|Net's
Web site at http://www.cnet.com/
And I must agree with C|Net's conclusion: Web phones won't prompt
you to throw out your wired telephone equipment -- yet.
BIOGRAPHY. If you're a fan of the A&E television series
``Biography,'' you owe it to yourself to visit the program's site
on the World Wide Web at http://www.biography.com.
The opening page contains graphical links to the site's content,
and I'm not sure I've seen so many animated gifs on one page. But
fear not, they create a very effective welcome, and the page loads
quickly.As you might expect, you can browse the month's schedule
for ``Biography'' programs and read a synopsis of each day's programming.
A video clip is available that previews the current day's program,
a very nice touch. A detailed and well-written summary is also available
to supplement the video clip.
But there's more; you can join in on-line discussion on a wide variety
of topics (usually connected to a recent program subject), purchase
videotape copies of the programs while on line, try your hand at
trivia and my favorite -- browse their 15,000 biographical entries.
There's a section for kids as well; ``Biography'' programming for
Saturdays offers profiles of historical figures, and the section
devoted to kids mirrors the programming. An on-line anagram challenge
can test the analytical skills of minds both young and old.
Overall, the site is worth a visit -- if nothing else you can
determine if you need to buy a video cassette and have your VCR
programmed for an upcoming program of interest.
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