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ASUS Integrates VOIP and PSTN Into Motherboards
yahyamf writes "ASUS recently announced that their TeleSky telecom adapter will now be included in two of their motherboards. The TeleSky converts an ordinary house phone into a multi-functional Skype phone. With one jack connected to the house phone and the other to the ground telephone line, the TeleSky can switch the house phone connection between the PSTN and VoIP networks. While it sounds interesting, how would this compare to the dedicated VOIP adapters available from SIPURA and others?"
To answer poster's question on comparison: the main advantage (IMO) to having PSTN access is fallback.
;)
I can think of some cases where long distance might be different, and you might want to use VoIP for some numbers and PSTN for others, but we just implemented a new PBX at my office with a feature wherein if our VoIP calls encounter a certain amount of packet loss, if they drop below a certain audio quality (not enough bandwidth available), or if we just plain old feel like it, we can switch our voice access from our T1 to our four old fashioned copper n' wire lines.
It provides security. Bosses like security.
ACs are modded -6. I don't read you, I don't mod you, I don't see you. Don't like it? Don't be a coward.
Really, I use a lot of onboard services on my little network system these days. A 500GB HDD for network storage, printer attached for printing across the network, I run my internet service through it and it does FTP and HTTP externally for my personal remote access to my network. Why not have it do VOIP telephony too? Sounds convenient enough, and none of my other resources on the system would draw overhead hardware-wise.
Would I recommend this kind of setup for a poweruser that likes to cut down on all background processes on their overclocked Windows gaming rig? Nah. But it's keen for those of us that like to have a main system for our use, and a small server that sits off in the basement running the little things.
So of course, the question of whether or not there's Linux drivers for it is very valid.
Specifically, is there asterisk support for these? I did a quick search and could not determine that either way. I'd love something more affordable than the Digium boards; but, I prefer to use asterisk for VIOP.
WARNING: Smoking this sig may cause lowered IQ, insanity or short term memory loss. It is also really bad for your monit
i seriously doubt it. skype and asterisk are like oil and water, always have been and presumably, always will be.
sarcasm:
-noun
1. harsh or bitter derision or irony.
The reasons I have a computer dedicated to Asterisk are a lot about flexibility and control. I have more say in what happens when someone calls my house, I set up my own voice menuing (or at least I've started configuring it), I can route calls as I'd like to and generally use the resources the way I like. The fact that my phone service ends up being far cheaper than Vonage and that I can route calls from my cell phone through it is just a really big bonus. Honestly, Vonage is cheap, but until you start shopping for your own DID you don't realize just how much the big phone companies have been gouging us.
more of the same on Twitter.
First, I agree with you, but lets just see what happens when we substitute a few words...
Why on earth would someone prefer proprietary OS in a computer when one can have those cheap linux/*BSD ones with much more functionality, open standards backed from most hardware leaders, no need for dedicated anti-virus programs, with little system requirements, better support and customization options, plus its free. It is really a no brainer.
In the long run Windows is doomed.
Interesting...don't you think? It isn't technology that matters the most, its marketing/partnerships/business savvy. People know about Vonage and Skype and to some extent aren't "afraid" of it...but asterisk??? For another example, MythTV is superior to TiVo, but guess who is winning that battle?
When I have a kid, I want to put him in one of those strollers for twins and then run around the mall looking frantic.
Mod parent up - if you are willing to put up with Skype, that is
your choice, but it does not make those of us who are not flamebait.
There is no reason not to use SIP - it has everything Skype has,
and so much more potential because it is open. Do not be fooled
by Skype propoganda and FUD.
It is a shame that this offering is Skype only - for me that is
enough reason to make it a non-starter. It sounds like a good
idea - I hope they will come out with a usable version, i.e.,
no Skype.