VOIP suggestions

[nawbus]

As my office is some way away from the School's office, when someone phones up wanting to speak to me, someone has to come and get me so I can talk to them as I don't have a phone line in my office. The cordless phones don't reach down this far, so I have go back to the office to use the phone.

As there is no chance of getting a phone line put in (money...... ), I'm thinking of trying a VOIP solution, but what is the best way forward? Is it Skype? What phones do people use?

Thanks

[ChrisH]

I would push for a phone line if I were you. Put down all the reasons you need a phone and what happens as a result of you not having one eg people cant get hold of you, the receptions time is taken up coming to get you etc etc its going to work out cheaper than any other solution more than likely.
If not how about a repeater for the cordless?

[Geoff]

Linux solution is Asterisk. Any SIP VoIP compliant client will do. You can get standalone SIP compliant handsets too so it just works like a regular phone.

[nawbus]

I would push for a phone line if I were you. Put down all the reasons you need a phone and what happens as a result of you not having one eg people cant get hold of you, the receptions time is taken up coming to get you etc etc its going to work out cheaper than any other solution more than likely.

I'd agree that a phone in my office is essential, especially as the servers are in here. BUT, I know I have zero chance now until at least April when the new budget arrives.

If not how about a repeater for the cordless?

Our phones are not that advanced!

What are people's thoughts on Skype?

[kevinmcaleer]

If your Local Authority allows Skype protocols, I'd seriously consider it! I personally think its great!

You can even subscribe to the skype out functionality, where you get a real phone number people can call you on. you can also use your computer and the internet to make regular phone calls to people (with land lines or mobiles).

-Kev
skype me at: kevinmcaleer

[eduabncs]

I agree skype is good. You can now also make video calls with Skype too. For a laugh see this QT video from one of the companies that make the video add-on

http://www.festooninc.com/festoon_qt.htm

[nawbus]

If your Local Authority allows Skype protocols, I'd seriously consider it! I personally think its great!

You can even subscribe to the skype out functionality, where you get a real phone number people can call you on. you can also use your computer and the internet to make regular phone calls to people (with land lines or mobiles).

I believe we can use Skype here. I think I'll have a go. Can see it costing me though!

[plexer]

Are there any cat5 links spare between your office/server room and the reception or pbx room? If so you could just use you allready installed structured cabling to provide a phone point.

Otherwise asterisk is an option.

Check out www.trixbox.org for a downloadable iso and http://www.sureteq.com/asterisk/trixboxv1.2.htm for a guide on how to set it up.

You can use a softphone i.e software phone installed on your computer or voip budget phones are available for under £100 and even adapters to turn normal phones into IP ones.

Ben