Internet phone services simplified : an illustrated guide to understanding, selecting, and implementing VolP-based Internet phone services for your home / Jim Doherty, Neil Anderson ; illustrations by Nathan Clement.

"Provides a full-color illustrated and simple approach to learning about VoIP; follow step-by-step instructions for selecting and installing VoIP at home ; explore new Internet telephony features and services"--Cover.

Includes index.

Introduction -- Starting Assumptions -- Microsoft Windows -- Mostly Linksys -- Tips from the Geek Squad -- I. Internet Telephony Fundamentals --1. Traditional Phone Systems
In the Beginning -- Rise of the Machines -- Ma Bell -- Breaking Up the Happy Family -- Mobile Telephone System -- Internet -- Consolidate, Merge, and Acquire -- Important Things to Know About the PSTN -- 2. Voice over IP (VoIP) -- Circuit Switching and Packet Switching -- How VoIP Works -- VoIP Signaling -- How VoIP Carries a Conversation -- VoIP Features -- Power in VoIP Networks -- Putting It All Together -- 3. Advantages of Broadband Phone Services -- Lowering Your Monthly Phone Bill -- Infrastructure Costs -- Transport Costs -- Regulatory Compliance -- Taxes and Fees -- Phone Number Flexibility -- Keeping Your Same Phone Number -- Virtual Phone Numbers -- Online Call Management -- Voice Mail -- Call Forwarding -- Call Logs -- Click to Dial -- Summary of Advantages -- 4. Knowing Your Limits -- Reliability -- It’s Electric -- Reliance on Broadband and the Internet -- Voice Quality -- 911 and E911 -- How 911 and E911 Works -- The Challenge for VoIP -- Solutions -- Summary of Limitations -- 5. From the Geek Squad Files -- II. Choosing an Internet Phone Service -- 6. Inventory of Broadband Phone Services -- Internet VoIP Phone Services -- Cable VoIP Digital Phone Services -- VoIP Chat Services -- Summary of Broadband Phone Services -- 7. Selecting an Internet Phone Service -- What Will I Use It For? -- What Is My Backup Plan? -- Power -- Backup Line -- Keeping a Minimal PSTN Line -- Which Service Should I Choose? -- Looking at Total Costs -- Is It Reliable Enough? -- Does It Have the Features You Need? -- Are Specialized Devices Supported? -- Revisiting Safety and 911 -- Comparing Plans -- Summary -- 8. Selecting VoIP Equipment -- Cable VoIP Service Equipment -- Internet VoIP Service Equipment -- Choosing a Terminal Adapter -- What Do the Internet VoIP Providers Offer? -- VoIP Chat Service Equipment -- Summary -- 9. From the Geek Squad Files -- III. Going VoIP at Home -- 10. Connecting the VoIP Equipment -- Starting Point -- Connecting Cable VoIP Service -- Connecting Internet VoIP Service -- Signing Up for Service -- Installing a Stand alone Terminal Adapter -- Installing an Integrated Router/Terminal Adapter -- Connecting VoIP Chat Service -- Making a Test Call -- 911 or E911 Registration -- Summary -- Addendum: Manually Configuring Terminal Adapters for Home Networks Using Static IP Addresses -- 11. Making VoIP Accessible Throughout Your Home -- Using Cordless Phones with VoIP -- Separate PSTN and VoIP Lines -- Two-Line Cordless Phones -- Using Your Home Telephone Wiring with VoIP -- Introduction to Home Telephone Wiring -- Getting Access to Two Lines -- Home Wiring with Cable VoIP Service -- Home Wiring with Internet VoIP Service -- Issues with Multiple Handsets -- Overloading Your Terminal Adapter’s Ringer Equivalence Number -- Simultaneous Handsets Off Hook -- Multiline VoIP Services -- Specialized Phone Devices -- Fax -- TiVo and Satellite Receiver Boxes -- Home Security/Alarm Systems -- Summary -- 12. Using Wireless Networks to Extend VoIP -- Wireless Bridges -- Wireless Phone Jacks -- Summary -- 13. Troubleshooting: Can You Hear Me Now? -- Classify the Trouble -- Service Connection Problems -- Voice Quality Issues -- Broadband Speed -- Broadband Network Quality -- Other Issues -- Dialing-Related Issues -- Getting Additional Help from Your VoIP Provider -- Summary -- 14. From the Geek Squad Files -- IV. VoIP Chat Services -- 15. VoIP Chat Services -- Instant Messaging -- Client-Server -- Peer-to-Peer -- Internet Messaging with Voice -- Summary -- 16. Using Skype and Google Talk -- Installing and Using Skype -- Improving Your Audio Quality -- Calling People Who Have “Real” Phones (and Phone Numbers) -- Getting Calls from People Who Use “Real” Phones -- Installing and Using Google Talk -- Adding Contacts in Google Talk -- Using Google Talk -- Summary -- 17. The Future of Telephony -- A Review of What We Have Now -- The Cost Battle: Consumers Versus Companies and Governments -- System Convergence -- Future Use Scenario -- Mitigating Factor No. 1: Intrasystem Cooperation -- Mitigating Factor No. 2: Battery Life and Size -- Conclusion -- 18. From the Geek Squad Files -- Glossary -- Appendix