Gene Kearns wrote:
On Fri, 25 Aug 2006 13:08:54 -0400, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
wrote:

Gene,
I am curious, how long ago was this disaster with Vonage? I listen to
Clark Howard and I know the love to jump all over any company that is
not providing good service. Based upon your history, I would not be
making any changes in the near future. I am glad my history has been
the exact opposite. It was the Clark Howard Show that made me even
think about making the change, they have had users calling in for months
talking about the quality and the ease of set up. I think it was Bassy
and and a few others in rec.boats that convinced me to try it. With the
30 day free trial period, it was a painless way to 'test" VOIP. I
didn't port over my phone number until I was comfortable with the
quality of the line and Vonage overall service.

I got away from vonage about 3 months ago. Apparently, Clark is
gradually changing his mind, too.... go to:

http://clarkhoward.com/shownotes/category/155/156/297/
--


Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Southport, NC. http://myworkshop.idleplay.net/
-----------------
www.Newsgroup-Binaries.com - *Completion*Retention*Speed*
Access your favorite newsgroups from home or on the road
-----------------
It looks like your call, along with other callers did register with
Clark Howard. While Clark has not had any problems with VOIP he has
noticed an increase in listners complaints. The date on the show
matches up with the time frame of your complaint, I wonder if they have
improved their customer service or if I am just an easy custimer to
satisfy. I haven't had to talk to customer service since I installed
the modem, but when I did I had no problems, and it was a fairly quick
and painless call. Now my call to DELL customer service was another
thing. Whatever you do, DON'T BUY A DELL.

On Fri, 25 Aug 2006 07:56:10 -0400, Harry Krause
wrote:

basskisser wrote:
Harry Krause wrote:
basskisser wrote:
Harry Krause wrote:
JohnH wrote:
On Thu, 24 Aug 2006 11:17:38 -0400, Harry Krause
wrote:

basskisser wrote:
This morning the phones in the neighborhood where I live were all out.
I didn't even know it, because I have comcast high speed and vonage! I
asked the Bellsouth Technician why he was checking the line in front of
my house, because I was going to tell him it's dead to my house because
I don't have Bellsouth. He said he was checking because some digital
device that serves the whole neighborhood went out, and they are trying
to restore service!!!

Wonderful. Our security alarm system sent out a letter recently advising
customers NOT to transfer to VOIP unless they leave a wired traditional
phone line in place or subscribe to a special, new, expensive cell service.

Wanna guess why?

The security company says it is working on a VOIP solution but so far,
it "is not reliable."
If the security company isn't reliable, I'd get a new one.

You've identified many reasons why you can't switch to VOIP. That's a
shame, and we all feel sorry for you.
Most of the major home security company connect lines do not work with
VOIP, I've since learned.
Why? The signal goes out of your house just exactly as it does with a
landline. Brinks works just great with VOIP

Well, despite advice to the contrary from Reggie and his boy Herring,
ADT says the following:

Perhaps you should change your security company to one that is up to
date and able to work with new fangled equipment!



I'm not interested in changing from the reliable telephone service that
has served me admirably for these many years for VOIP so I can save $25
a month. There are all manner of problems possible with VOIP, none of
which appeal to me, including crappy sound quality, downtime when the
internet connection is down, and its inability to perform properly with
my home security sytem.

But I'm happy it works for you, the fraud known here as "Reggie," and
whomever.

*Now* you're following our advice!
--
******************************************
***** Hope your day is great! *****
******************************************

John

On Fri, 25 Aug 2006 08:21:00 -0400, Gene Kearns wrote:

On 24 Aug 2006 08:00:33 -0700, "basskisser"
wrote:

This morning the phones in the neighborhood where I live were all out.
I didn't even know it, because I have comcast high speed and vonage! I
asked the Bellsouth Technician why he was checking the line in front of
my house, because I was going to tell him it's dead to my house because
I don't have Bellsouth. He said he was checking because some digital
device that serves the whole neighborhood went out, and they are trying
to restore service!!!

I'm happy for you, but I hope your entire customer experience is
better than the nightmare they had designed for us....
--


Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Southport, NC. http://myworkshop.idleplay.net/
-----------------
www.Newsgroup-Binaries.com - *Completion*Retention*Speed*
Access your favorite newsgroups from home or on the road
-----------------

I've been going through the unplug-plug routine about once a month. It's a
two minute operation, and the savings of about $55/month more than
compensates.

Did you do any speed tests while undergoing these problems? Slow speeds
create havoc. Luckily, Cox has done pretty fair with the speed.
--
******************************************
***** Hope your day is great! *****
******************************************

John

On Fri, 25 Aug 2006 14:33:31 -0400, Harry Krause
wrote:

Reginald P. Smithers III wrote:
Gene Kearns wrote:
On Fri, 25 Aug 2006 13:08:54 -0400, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
wrote:

Gene,
I am curious, how long ago was this disaster with Vonage? I listen to
Clark Howard and I know the love to jump all over any company that is
not providing good service. Based upon your history, I would not be
making any changes in the near future. I am glad my history has been
the exact opposite. It was the Clark Howard Show that made me even
think about making the change, they have had users calling in for months
talking about the quality and the ease of set up. I think it was Bassy
and and a few others in rec.boats that convinced me to try it. With the
30 day free trial period, it was a painless way to 'test" VOIP. I
didn't port over my phone number until I was comfortable with the
quality of the line and Vonage overall service.
I got away from vonage about 3 months ago. Apparently, Clark is
gradually changing his mind, too.... go to:

http://clarkhoward.com/shownotes/category/155/156/297/
--


Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Southport, NC. http://myworkshop.idleplay.net/
-----------------
www.Newsgroup-Binaries.com - *Completion*Retention*Speed*
Access your favorite newsgroups from home or on the road
-----------------
It looks like your call, along with other callers did register with
Clark Howard. While Clark has not had any problems with VOIP he has
noticed an increase in listners complaints. The date on the show
matches up with the time frame of your complaint, I wonder if they have
improved their customer service or if I am just an easy custimer to
satisfy. I haven't had to talk to customer service since I installed
the modem, but when I did I had no problems, and it was a fairly quick
and painless call. Now my call to DELL customer service was another
thing. Whatever you do, DON'T BUY A DELL.



Gee, I never had any problems with Dell, even back when I was moderator
of its PC group on CIS.

Then you've never experienced its customer service. What a shame you've
missed out on that treat!
--
******************************************
***** Hope your day is great! *****
******************************************

John

On 25 Aug 2006 07:37:45 -0700, "basskisser"
wrote:


Jack Goff wrote:

Learn to express yourself more clearly. You wrote about VoIP: "The
signal goes out of your house just exactly as it does with a
landline."

The signal does not "go out of your house" in the same manner for
landline and VoIP at all. They use completely different transport
protocols and media.

My signal for my security system goes through the same exact wiring in
my house as it always has. My VOIP system is hooked seamlessly to those
same exact wires. Hence, the security system signal is through those
exact same wires.

Inside your house, the signal is the same. When it "goes out of your
house", the signal is *completely* different.


Of course, you realize that the alarm system is nothing but a modem,
and that VoIP is ill-suited for transporting modem signals. While it
may work today, there is absolutely no guarantee that it will work
tonight or tomorrow. If Vonage tweaks the codec they are using, or
the internet has some delay or dropped packets when the alarm tries to
connect, your intruder alert fails. There's no guarantee of delivery
of IP packets for VoIP. Your ear can deal with lots of dropped
packets when ordering pizza. The alarm modem can not.

Never, ever had a problem. My security company does a weekly test,
every Wednesday afternoon, it's always passed.

That's simply not true. Two problems with that statement:

1. A home monitoring company does not initiate a test. They can't.
If they tried, it would have to be by dialing your home number and
letting the alarm system answer, then doing a handshake. That's
simply not possible, as alarm systems don't do that. Something else,
like a person or an answering machine, would likely answer the call
first. The alarm box does not answer the phone.

2. In another post, you identified Brinks as being your alarm service
provider. Well guess what, I use Brinks as well. The Brinks alarm
panel clearly indicates to "Test Weekly See Owner's Manual".
Furthermore, you test it by pressing the "Options" button five times
until "Test" is displayed, the entering your code. The system
initiates a test that includes calling into the service, then sounds
the alarm horn momentarily after the test. This is the operation of
the deluxe panel, the basic panel may be different.

If you really had a Brinks alarm, I suspect you'd know all of this.

"basskisser" wrote in message
oups.com...
This morning the phones in the neighborhood where I live were all out.
I didn't even know it, because I have comcast high speed and vonage! I
asked the Bellsouth Technician why he was checking the line in front of
my house, because I was going to tell him it's dead to my house because
I don't have Bellsouth. He said he was checking because some digital
device that serves the whole neighborhood went out, and they are trying
to restore service!!!


One who believes that Comcast and Vonage in tandem is more reliable than
POTS is either ignorant or in for a very big surprise.

On 25 Aug 2006 07:34:09 -0700, "basskisser"
wrote:


Jack Goff wrote:
On 25 Aug 2006 04:50:11 -0700, "basskisser"
wrote:


Harry Krause wrote:
basskisser wrote:
Harry Krause wrote:
JohnH wrote:
On Thu, 24 Aug 2006 11:17:38 -0400, Harry Krause
wrote:

basskisser wrote:
This morning the phones in the neighborhood where I live were all out.
I didn't even know it, because I have comcast high speed and vonage! I
asked the Bellsouth Technician why he was checking the line in front of
my house, because I was going to tell him it's dead to my house because
I don't have Bellsouth. He said he was checking because some digital
device that serves the whole neighborhood went out, and they are trying
to restore service!!!


Wonderful. Our security alarm system sent out a letter recently advising
customers NOT to transfer to VOIP unless they leave a wired traditional
phone line in place or subscribe to a special, new, expensive cell service.

Wanna guess why?

The security company says it is working on a VOIP solution but so far,
it "is not reliable."
If the security company isn't reliable, I'd get a new one.

You've identified many reasons why you can't switch to VOIP. That's a
shame, and we all feel sorry for you.

Most of the major home security company connect lines do not work with
VOIP, I've since learned.

Why? The signal goes out of your house just exactly as it does with a
landline. Brinks works just great with VOIP


Well, despite advice to the contrary from Reggie and his boy Herring,
ADT says the following:

Perhaps you should change your security company to one that is up to
date and able to work with new fangled equipment!

What company is that, bass? The one you use? Who is it? I'm not
aware of any that say the use of VoIP phone service is approved.

Again, comprehension. In never said where ANY company said that VOIP is
"approved". For that matter, I just looked at my contract with my
security company, and it doesn't even say that Bell South is
"approved". Mine does, however work flawlessly with my VOIP.

And I never said that you claimed anything to be "approved". Those
were my words, understand? You did say that someone should change to
a system that can handle "new fangled" equipment. Fact is, no alarm
service is willing to state that they will work with VoIP. Not even
yours.

On 25 Aug 2006 08:53:39 -0700, "basskisser"
wrote:


JimH wrote:
"Jack Goff" wrote in message
...
On 25 Aug 2006 04:50:11 -0700, "basskisser"
wrote:


Harry Krause wrote:
basskisser wrote:
Harry Krause wrote:
JohnH wrote:
On Thu, 24 Aug 2006 11:17:38 -0400, Harry Krause

wrote:

basskisser wrote:
This morning the phones in the neighborhood where I live were all
out.
I didn't even know it, because I have comcast high speed and
vonage! I
asked the Bellsouth Technician why he was checking the line in
front of
my house, because I was going to tell him it's dead to my house
because
I don't have Bellsouth. He said he was checking because some
digital
device that serves the whole neighborhood went out, and they are
trying
to restore service!!!


Wonderful. Our security alarm system sent out a letter recently
advising
customers NOT to transfer to VOIP unless they leave a wired
traditional
phone line in place or subscribe to a special, new, expensive cell
service.

Wanna guess why?

The security company says it is working on a VOIP solution but so
far,
it "is not reliable."
If the security company isn't reliable, I'd get a new one.

You've identified many reasons why you can't switch to VOIP. That's
a
shame, and we all feel sorry for you.

Most of the major home security company connect lines do not work
with
VOIP, I've since learned.

Why? The signal goes out of your house just exactly as it does with a
landline. Brinks works just great with VOIP


Well, despite advice to the contrary from Reggie and his boy Herring,
ADT says the following:

Perhaps you should change your security company to one that is up to
date and able to work with new fangled equipment!

What company is that, bass? The one you use? Who is it? I'm not
aware of any that say the use of VoIP phone service is approved.

It looks like Kevin does not understand the difference between a "security"
company and a "central station alarm monitoring" company.

BTW, I called Brinks and they said they would not recommend their service
when one uses VOIP and they could not offer any guarantee they could or
would receive the signal. ;-)

Jim, you are so full of ****!!!! Who did you talk to at Brinks? give me
a name, and a number, you liar!
I can tell you for a fact, I have VOIP, AND Brinks, and they work
flawlessly. Your petty diatribe above is just fluff.

I talked to a rep at Brinks today, since they are my provider. They
"strongly suggest" not to use Vonage. Further, they say that to
attempt it, they must come out and install a $90 filter on the line to
get it to work, and that is not always successful.

It seems to be working for you. Is it solid, or just barely working?
You can't really know. without a lot of expensive specialized test
equipment. Be thankful it's working now.

"basskisser" wrote in message
oups.com...

Harry Krause wrote:
JohnH wrote:
On Thu, 24 Aug 2006 11:17:38 -0400, Harry Krause

wrote:

basskisser wrote:
This morning the phones in the neighborhood where I live were all
out.
I didn't even know it, because I have comcast high speed and vonage!
I
asked the Bellsouth Technician why he was checking the line in front
of
my house, because I was going to tell him it's dead to my house
because
I don't have Bellsouth. He said he was checking because some digital
device that serves the whole neighborhood went out, and they are
trying
to restore service!!!



Wonderful. Our security alarm system sent out a letter recently
advising
customers NOT to transfer to VOIP unless they leave a wired
traditional
phone line in place or subscribe to a special, new, expensive cell
service.

Wanna guess why?

The security company says it is working on a VOIP solution but so far,
it "is not reliable."

If the security company isn't reliable, I'd get a new one.

You've identified many reasons why you can't switch to VOIP. That's a
shame, and we all feel sorry for you.


Most of the major home security company connect lines do not work with
VOIP, I've since learned.

Why? The signal goes out of your house just exactly as it does with a
landline. Brinks works just great with VOIP

One is digital and the other analog. Not the same.

"Jack Goff" wrote in message
...
On 25 Aug 2006 08:53:39 -0700, "basskisser"
wrote:


JimH wrote:
"Jack Goff" wrote in message
...
On 25 Aug 2006 04:50:11 -0700, "basskisser"
wrote:


Harry Krause wrote:
basskisser wrote:
Harry Krause wrote:
JohnH wrote:
On Thu, 24 Aug 2006 11:17:38 -0400, Harry Krause

wrote:

basskisser wrote:
This morning the phones in the neighborhood where I live were
all
out.
I didn't even know it, because I have comcast high speed and
vonage! I
asked the Bellsouth Technician why he was checking the line in
front of
my house, because I was going to tell him it's dead to my
house
because
I don't have Bellsouth. He said he was checking because some
digital
device that serves the whole neighborhood went out, and they
are
trying
to restore service!!!


Wonderful. Our security alarm system sent out a letter recently
advising
customers NOT to transfer to VOIP unless they leave a wired
traditional
phone line in place or subscribe to a special, new, expensive
cell
service.

Wanna guess why?

The security company says it is working on a VOIP solution but
so
far,
it "is not reliable."
If the security company isn't reliable, I'd get a new one.

You've identified many reasons why you can't switch to VOIP.
That's
a
shame, and we all feel sorry for you.

Most of the major home security company connect lines do not work
with
VOIP, I've since learned.

Why? The signal goes out of your house just exactly as it does
with a
landline. Brinks works just great with VOIP


Well, despite advice to the contrary from Reggie and his boy
Herring,
ADT says the following:

Perhaps you should change your security company to one that is up to
date and able to work with new fangled equipment!

What company is that, bass? The one you use? Who is it? I'm not
aware of any that say the use of VoIP phone service is approved.

It looks like Kevin does not understand the difference between a
"security"
company and a "central station alarm monitoring" company.

BTW, I called Brinks and they said they would not recommend their
service
when one uses VOIP and they could not offer any guarantee they could or
would receive the signal. ;-)

Jim, you are so full of ****!!!! Who did you talk to at Brinks? give me
a name, and a number, you liar!
I can tell you for a fact, I have VOIP, AND Brinks, and they work
flawlessly. Your petty diatribe above is just fluff.

I talked to a rep at Brinks today, since they are my provider. They
"strongly suggest" not to use Vonage. Further, they say that to
attempt it, they must come out and install a $90 filter on the line to
get it to work, and that is not always successful.


Yep, same story as I got.

I see Kevin is all wound up again. A shame.