How to Phone on the Internet

Online providers including Oovoo, Skype and Google have created software that allows users to call individuals using their internet connections. Oovoo and Skype offer either PC to PC, or Mac to PC or Mac connection for free and PC or Mac to phone connections for an additional fee. Google's software, Google Talk, allows PC or Mac to PC or Mac online chatting for no charge and PC to phone calls using a Google Voice plug-in for your browser.

Instructions

Oovoo

1. Open the Oovoo web page and click "Download" to install the necessary software. Select the download option based on your computer. The options include Windows or Mac. Ooovoo can also download to your mobile phone. It is not necessary for the individuals you are calling to have Oovoo.

2. Open the Oovoo icon from your computer's desktop and create your account. You will be required to create a user name and password during this process. After you create your account, you will be required to check your web camera, the audio on your computer and the microphone to ensure they are functioning properly before you use the service for the first time.

3. Select the option you would like to use for locating friends on your Oovoo account from the "Find friends" window. The options for finding friends include adding individuals already on Oovoo, inviting friends using social networks, inviting friends through instant messaging or importing contacts using your email account. You can skip this option if you want.

4. Click "Contacts" and select the option you would like to use to add contacts to your account. In order to place calls to mobile or land line phones, you must purchase credits for your Oovoo account using the "Buy credits" option located on your Oovoo window.

Skype

1. Open the Skype website and click "Get Skype."

2. Select the Skype download suitable for your computer. Options include Windows, Windows for Business, Mac and Linux. The installation wizard will begin for your download; be sure to follow all the steps of the wizard to ensure proper installation of your software.

3. Log in to your Skype account on the Skype log in window that appears after the completion of the download process if you have previously used Skype in the past. If you do not have a Skype account click "Don't have a Skype name" and create a user name and password in the "Create account" window.

4. Log in to your account to start making phone calls. Skype offers the options of placing Skype to Skype phone calls, calling to land line or mobile phones and placing conference calls. In order to place Skype to Skype calls you must create a contact list of friends that have Skype. You can invite friends to Skype or you can add friends who already have the service. Making calls to land line or mobile phones from Skype requires the purchase of Skype Credits from the website.

Google Talk

1. Open the Google Talk web page and select the chat option you would like to use. The video and voice plug-in allows you to chat using your gmail, iGoogle or orkut accounts and is accessible all over the web for both PC and Mac. Google Talk software allows you to download Google Talk to your desktop, but is only for PCs with Windows XP or later.

2. Log in to your gmail account to begin to chat if you have selected the Google Talk video and voice plug-in. Once you have logged into your account, click "Video and more" from the bottom of your gmail home page and click "Chat." Google Talk will call your contact if he has access to the service. If not, Google Talk will send an invitation to chat on your behalf. Once your friend has accepted the invitation, you will be able to chat with him through your gmail account.

3. Log in to your gmail account in the Google Talk window if you have selected to install the Google Talk software. The login window will appear after the installation. If you do not have a gmail account, click "Don't have an account" and create an account.

4. Click the name of the contact you would like to call and click "Call." Click "Add" to create new contacts for your list. You can add individuals using an e-mail address or the contacts from your gmail account. Click the "Google Voice Plug-in" to add Google Voice to your account so that you can place calls from PC to land line or mobile phones from your gmail account.

References

• Oovoo: FAQ
• Oovoo: Phone calls to landline and mobile phones
• Skype: To Start Skype
• Skype: How do I call phones and mobiles
• Google Talk: Get Started with the Google Talk Gadget
• Google: Call phones from Gmail