Actiontec
USB InternetPhone Wizard Review
Internet telephony is an intriguing service that has
become popular in recent months. After all, the ability to make long
distance calls for a low rate (sometimes free) on the internet is an
incredible convenience for many computer users. The ability to make
business or casual
calls on the internet can save users a lot of
money.
In an attempt to make internet telephony easier for potential callers, Actiontec
has come up with a new product called the Actiontec USB Internet Phone
Wizard. In a nutshell the Internet Phone Wizard is supposed to allow you
to plug in your telephone into the hub like device, and make internet calls
straight from your telephone. The IPW requires a Internet Telephony
Service Provider such as www.dialpad.com (we will be using this as the test
ITSP.) An ITSP provides the user with the ability to make calls to other
people in serviced regions. Dialpad only provides free service to numbers
in the United States of America.
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The Actiontec USB
Internet Phone Wizard comes with the USB Internet Phone Wizard, USB
cable, phone cable, Installation CD w/ Microsoft Netmeeting, manuals.
Price is $99 USD / $150
CDN |
Requirements:
- One IBM compatible computer with a USB port, 16MB RAM,
and a CD-ROM drive.
- Microsoft Windows 98, 98 SE, and 2000.
- Analog telephone and or analog telephone line.
- LAN or modem-based Internet connection.
Testing Machine:
Intel PIII-933, 256MB PC-133
RAM, Rogers@home internet service.
Iinstallation:
There is
a two part installation procedure, first of all you have to install the Internet
Phone Wizard. Installing the Internet Phone Wizard is a breeze.
First you plug the USB cable into the IPW, then you plug the USB cable into
a free USB port on the back of your computer. If you don't have
any free USB ports, then you will have to either disconnect a USB device, or buy
a USB hub. The device is powered via the USB port, this has to be
considered a huge convenience. I am sick and tired of plugging in ac adapters
behind my desk, it's a battle going on back there!
Windows
98 will detect the new device the moment you plug the device in. At this
point in time, you will have to insert the installation CD. After
installing the drivers, you will have to get into the Windows desktop, and then
go to CD-ROM drive (through My Computer
or Windows Explorer), and install the Actiontec USB Internet Phone Wizard software.
Next you should connect your
telephone cable into the telephone-in port on the IPW, then plug in the supplied
telephone cord into the telephone-out port on the IPW into your
telephone.
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