Making free phone calls over the Internet is a simple process if you have the right hardware and software. This is a great way to get in touch with friends and relatives in far-away places, without having to pay the high costs of long distance charges on traditional land lines or international calling fees on cell phones. For the purposes of this tutorial, we'll go through the process of downloading and using Skype and Google Chat as two popular examples of VOIP software.
Instructions
Using Google Chat to Make Free Phone Calls Through the Internet
1. Using your computer and Internet connection to make phone calls takes advantage of technology called Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP). Most providers now charge a fee for calls to land lines and cell phones, but computer-to-computer calls are usually free, although both users must usually be on the same program. If you want to call someone using VOIP, make sure that your computer has a microphone connected.
2. There are dozens of companies that now provide VOIP capability, but two of the easiest and most popular to use are Skype and Google. If you're already a Gmail user, Google's Chat service is especially easy to use. If not, sign up for an email account through Google in order to use their service. Email accounts are free and take only a few minutes to set up. Once you have set up your Gmail account, you're ready to go.
3. Log into Gmail. Once you start sending emails, Gmail will save your contacts so that you don't have to type in email addresses each time. If you're new to Gmail, go into the "Settings" tab on the top right of your window, then click on the "Accounts and Import" tab. The first option listed will be "Import Mail and Contacts," which you can click to import mail and contact addresses from another email account. Gmail will also use your contacts list to let you know who is online to chat. Only other Gmail users can chat with you through Google Talk, but you can use your Gmail address for other chat services., such as iChat on Macs or Adium. In order to do any chatting though, first you have to download Google Talk.
4. Go to http://www.google.com/talk/. Choose the "Video Chat Right From Gmail" option and then "Install Voice and Video Chat." Make sure your computer operating system meets the requirements listed. A window should pop up that reads, "You have chosen to open GoogleVoiceandVideoSetup.dmg." Click "OK" to save this file to your desktop or open it. Double-click the GoogleVoiceAndVideo.mpkg file, which should begin the installation process. When the installation window opens, click "Continue." Select your hard drive as the destination and click on "Continue" again. Click on "Install" and the process should begin. You will need to close out of all active web browser pages. It may also ask you for a password in order to install the software on your computer, depending on your settings.
5. Once you see the window that says, "Install Succeeded" and a green check mark, you can click on "Close." You can also close out of the file that had the installation file in it. Open a web browser page and bring up Gmail. Log in. On the left-hand side bar, you'll see a list of options starting with "Compose Email." At the bottom of this list, you'll see "Chat" and below it, your Gmail user name. Once you have all of your contacts imported into Gmail, you'll see user names listed below yours with a green icon next to them when those users are online. Simply double click on their name to start a chat. If the contact has only a green circle, they are available only for text chats. If the user has a green phone icon, you can voice chat. And if the contact has a green camera icon, you can video chat. When you open the chat window, you will see the contact's name listed at the top and a box with a gray outline that you can start typing into for text chats. To start a phone call to the person, click on the "Video & more" link at the bottom of the box, and choose the "Start voice chat" option. You should hear a ringing until your contact answers the call on the other end. When you hear your friend answer, just start talking as you would in any phone call.
Using Skype to Make Free Phone Calls Through the Internet
6. Skype is similar to Google chat in function. First, go to http://skype.com/ and click on "Download." Open the file and run through the installation process. On a Mac, you simply drag the Skype logo to the application folder and it will copy to your drive. On a PC, double-click on the Skype icon and follow the installation process. Once you complete the installation process, open the application.
7. When Skype opens, you'll see a window similar to chat applications like iChat or AOL, listing your name at the top. You can go into the top menu and import your contacts, or add contacts one by one. To make a phone call to another Skype user, you need their login name or the email address they used to create their account. Use that information to add the person you want to call as a contact. If the contact's name shows up in your list with a green check next to it, then you can call or chat with them. Click the user's name in the list once and the various chat options will show up in a small window. You can start typing in the white box for a text chat, or click the phone icon to start calling. You should hear a ringing and then your contact's voice when they answer. Begin speaking like you would on any phone conversation.
8. Now that you know use Google Talk and Skype, you can probably figure out most of the other applications that are available, since most are structured in similar ways. Talk to your friends and colleagues to find out which application most of them use. You can also try different providers to see which works best with your system.
Tags: installation process, your computer, your contacts, Gmail user, Google Chat, Make Free