Magic jack?

[surfbug]

I saw the magic jack from the sunday newspaper. Pc magizine, Best buy and radio shack They rewiewed and all of them like it. My girlfriend goes to college in Sac. I live near SF. Can I use it to her free? What is the catch?

[photolady]

You don't get much. My brother got this and it didn't work for him. And it's not free Bob. It costs $39.99 as first cost then it's $19.99 per year. But as I said, it didn't work for my brother. The phone has dead spots, and cuts out all the time. I wouldn't buy one.

[surfbug]

Thanks

[photolady]

You're welcome!!

[MadAmosMalone]

If you need more information Have a look here http://www.dslreports.com/forum/magicjack

[Welshjim]

FWIW--VDr thread from about six months ago.
http://discussions.virtualdr.com/sho...ight=MagicJack

[Skippy202]

I have been using "Magic Jack" for about 9 Months now and the ONLY phone line I use in the house. I did find you MUST have at the very least Internet speed of 2,100 Kbps for it to work well. I ran a line from my "Magic Jack" to the phone jack in the wall and can now use my phone any place in my home where there is a jack. Yes you get very few dropped calls when the Internet messes up, but you do get what you pay for. My friend next door uses one too and it has been for about 7 months and very happy with it. HIGH SPEED Internet is a MUST to have this work well! I am now using ATT DSL ONLY with 3,000 Kbps and a wireless router. One down fall is the area code may not be where you live, but they are updating this as fast as they can. Hope this helps any out there thinking of using it. I'm very happy and NOT going to a LAND LINE AGAIN......

[buf]

An interesting report you have Skippy. I had not thought about experimenting in such a way. Gotta try it one day.
I am also using ATT DSL and have had no big issues with my use of MJack. I haven't had any dropped calls but I have, on occasion, had a clicking on the line. Nothing I can't deal with especially with "free" long distance calling. Once spent 2 hours with a friend on the other side of the country. NO long distance charges on my next month's billing from ATT. I was happy with that. IF you have someone you call long distance and that person is in your area calling code, he/she can call you back without either of you incurring long distance charges. I had a voice call recording once from a SIL without a charge to either of us. Lots of pluses, I think, in spending $20 per year for such a service----and it is portable; take it with you where ever you go. Same thing!! Oh, and I have been using the MJ for about 3 months.
Heck, don't take my word for it----or the word of others. Try it free for 30 days. Read the print in the offering ad.
Nope, I don't work for MJ.

EDIT: Forgot to also report: Users of MJ are at the mercy of the internet; if the internet has problems in staying "up", so will users of MJ.

[JLS]

Skippy202, can you explain how to do the quote line below that you had posted:

"I ran a line from my "Magic Jack" to the phone jack in the wall and can now use my phone any place in my home where there is a jack."

[Skippy202]

I ran a jumper from the "Magic Jack" and to the jack in the wall plug. You can run a splitter from the "Magic Jack to another phone near the computer, and the other end to the wall jack. Then if you have other wall jacks in the house you can plug a phone in them. BUT REMEMBR i DO NOT HAVE ANY OTHER PHONE SERVICE. IF YOU HAVE ANOTHER PHONE SERVICE THIS WILL NOT WORK.

[JLS]

Thanks, Skippy. I will see how it goes.

[JLS]

Skippy202, I have another question about the magic jack. When you create a phone number, does it ask for your name that will associate your phone number that you create? What I am wondering is that if I would call someone that I do not know that well and I do not want him to know my full name or find out my address, would my name and phone number come up on his caller ID like it would on a landline phone?

[JLS]

If anyone else uses the magic jack and knows the answer to my question, I would appreciate a reply. Thanks

[buf]

sufbug, I have just reviewed the questions and answers on the subject of MagicJack and your particular question in your initial post. Yes, you can call her for free (and any where is the U.S. and Canada) and IF she is in the same area code, she can call you for free; including the use of Voice Mail for messages from her or others. Just give her the phone # you were given when you installed MJack.
Good luck.

[buf]

JLS, didn't regular landline phones have a provision for entering a code # before dialing such a person as you describe and the code # blocks his ability to see your number; etc. I seem to recall using that many years ago. If this is still available---and a freebee then I would think MJ has it also. Ask MJ in an email if you don't see it in their forum. Good luck.