[Telephony] Options for Victoria <-> Netherlands communications

[Gustav Kramer]

Hey Folks.

Thanks for your feedback.  I ended up with a couple of D-Link i2eye
videophones (Compusmart was clearing them out) for communications
between my and my gal.  From the docs they should also work with anyone
using netmeeting/gnomemeeting.  For anyone else I'll search out the best
long distance provider be it phone card or tied to my landline (which I
will need anyways for my ADSL).

- gustav

  On Sun, 2004-05-09 at 09:39, Ian Truelsen wrote:

> If your girlfriend uses netmeeting in windows, you can use gnomemeeting
> to connect to her. I have never tried the video setup for gnomemeeting,
> but the audio works well, once you get used to the processing lag. There
> seems to be a lot of people who have gotten the video working and are
> happy with it, to judge from the traffic on the support list.

On Sun, 2004-05-09 at 11:18, Steve P. Shack wrote:

> Don't waste your time with usb webcams. Buy a ethernet webcam. Dlink
> makes some. They're very good. Plug in power and ethernet and you're
> done. Plus when you move back you can wire them with long ethernet
> runs to watch birds or something outside. 

On Sun, 2004-05-09 at 11:30, Doug Ransom wrote:

> Look at prepaid phone cards.
> 
> Doug
> 
> Gustav Kramer wrote:
> 
> >Hi folks, I need your help!
> >
> >It looks like I will be transferred to The Hague, Netherlands this
> >summer and am investigating ways of staying in touch without paying too
> >dearly for that long distance feeling!
> >
> >I believe there is broadband available (should be able to confirm next
> >week) so I am thinking the following:
> >
> >For my girlfriend: a couple of webcams.  I've heard good things (from
> >windows users) about the Logitech 4000 Pro. I am happy (well not exactly
> >happy but I will do it) to switch to windows in order facilitate our
> >communications - She's strictly windows at this point and I don't plan
> >to change that - but would prefer a linux solution on my end. Is this
> >possible?  Worth the effort?  Other thoughts?
> >
> >For the remainder of my friends, mainly Victoria, Ottawa and Bancroft I
> >was thinking of some sort of VOIP setup with a local number in Victoria
> >and/or Ottawa.  Is an Internet Telephone Service Provider the best
> >route?  If so, how exactly does that work and do you have any
> >recommendations?  Would paying a friend to have a second number
> >(distinctive ring) and funnelling that through a server sitting in the
> >closet be worth looking at?  Are there other options?
> >
> >I realize that google is my friend but I suspect I will soon be in a
> >time crunch and figured you guys are the experts and might like a
> >challenge!  If not, if you could at least point me in the right
> >direction I would be greatful.
> >
> >TIA
> >
> >- gustav