Magic Jack

I've been researching the Magic Jack for a while and have a couple friends who use it and are very happy. I finally bit the bullet and got one. So far, so good. I've made a couple calls and had Queenee call me back and the calls sound perfectly clear. I'll be using it as a business number.

It's very easy to set up — not quite like the TV commercial, but close. I'm using Vista, so I had to download an update from the MJ website, but that installed perfectly. Once the software installs, you'll choose your area code, then the regional code. Area code selection is pretty extensive, regional codes less so, but adequate. No vanity numbers, unfortunately, so I got an ugly number, but it will do. For someone in an apartment or condo, this would be a decent replacement for Ma Bell, imho. The downsides are they don't recommend using the MJ for 911 emergency calls, and when you shut down your computer, your phone is gone too. I suppose you could run a very basic PC 24/7, dedicated to MJ. I'm not that attached to my phone.

I'm also using a powered USB hub, something I'd highly recommend. My computer USB ports are pretty well used up and the MJ does need some power, so a powered USB hub is the way to go. You can get them fairly inexpensively, $15-20.

I bought my MJ at the local Radio Shack. I figured that way I wouldn't have to wait to try it out. $39.99 plus tax, which comes to $19.99 for the unit and $19.99 for one year's worth of call service. You can't beat that with a stick.

Now we wait to see if the feds decide to tax the MJ service. They've been bitching about it for a while now, as have the big telecoms. We all pay tax on our phone service, but because MJ and Skype are using VoIP, they haven't been taxing the calls. The Feds want their pound of flesh, but have gotten distracted in the last few months and haven't gotten around to getting back to this issue. Frankly, I think if they already tax my internet connection, that should cover any VoIP service I choose to use.