Question : Internet calls

hey anyone know whether or not people are still using Internet calls for chatting online/long distance? which program/system is pop these days?

as of today, is Internet long distance same as video conferencing except the latter has images and transmits slower? I'm using the latter but wish to go back to the former for privacy reasons. anyone has an idea of their differences?

how does Internet (PC-to-phone, phone-to-PC, PC-to-PC) calls work? is there any free service providers out there now?

Answer : Internet calls

The way Phone to PC or "Internet Calls" work is by translating the analog signal into a digital one. The encoder/decoder software (hardware) will also make sure that "packets" of data are TCP/IP compatible.

The quality of the audio is significantly less than a direct telephone line, but can offer huge savings (by lack of quality, I mean a small - but very noticable - delay between when you finish speaking, and the receiver actually hears what you said.)

For more (and very detailed info) go to http://www.iec.org/online/tutorials/vfoip/

A search on the internet "Making internet telephone calls" will give you a bunch of companies that offer VOIP. Personally, I do not use it anymore as the quality drove me nuts!!!!!

Good Luck!