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Voice Over IP Goes Global, The DNS Way
awehttam writes "A couple of geeks have setup a non-profit public DNS root designed to map phone numbers to Internet protocols.
These days we're hearing lots about Skype, and Voice over IP. Asterisk - the open source PBX - is nearing its version 1.00 release, Free World Dialup has applied to run the .tel top level domain, Good old Bell's are migrating to native IP, private sector layer 2 clearing houses are exchanging bits between companies the like of Packet8, China Telecom, MIT and Harvard and even the various regulatory agencies are pondering just what to do about things.
In the mean time, consumer SIP phones are dropping in price, and free and open source software is helping to drive a new generation of provide the services networks." Read on for more.
"You just knew the other shoe had to drop. E164.org let's people register their existing phone numbers, and aim various services including VoIP towards a URL on the Internet. Now you can have your calls sent to your Free World Dialup account, or routed to your home Asterisk PBX instead, possibly where you have a $20 card attached to your phone line letting you make and receive calls through both your regular phone line and the Internet. E164.org isn't just about VoIP though, it can also map phone numbers to Email addresses, Instant Messager URL's, or any other protocol that fits in the "foo://bar" scheme of the 'net. :)"
Does this mean that just when I figured out how to whistle at 2600 hertz, it's become useless? ;)
"What do you think?" "I think 'What, do you think?!'"
t ab*5t dr*p ou^ts affe$ting cal$ qu^lity?
My hyperlinks aren't worth the paper they're printed on.
Slashdot needs a "+1, Hopefully" ;)
[_] Good security measures.
[_] Sane design.
[_] Educated users.
[X] Unbelievable amounts of luck.
I mean... VOIP? Try discussing that in a bar or in a non-technical environment. No, seriously, go try it: how do you even pronounce VOIP? I guarantee that you'll get laughed at, or stares at the very least.
Therefore, I suggest that we replace Voice Over IP with Talking Over The Internet, or TOTI. Think about it!
Instead of discussing VOIP down the pub, you can talk about the latest TOTI that you saw Samsung introduce. Or ask if your fellow geek has checked out the new TOTI down at the phone store. Or if you see a nice looking young lady (or man!) in town, you can whistle and challenge those around you to check out that TOTI.
You see? It's perfect. Sure, it isn't as descriptive as VOIP, but it gets across the main idea, kind of. I mean, yeah, there's going to be the odd pedant that will contest the change, but don't listen to them- they're probably a taxman in real life or something.