Free Web-to-Phone Service Lets You Make Telephone Calls With Your PC

By Dan Albrich (dalbrich@oregon.uoregon.edu)

Now there's a web site that offers free web-to-phone service (including long distance) in the U.S. Dialpad.com's "software phone" runs within your web browser and enables you to place free phone calls. The person you call doesn't need a computer because the service connects via their telephone.

To use Dialpad, you'll need:

• a Windows PC with Internet Explorer 4 or higher, or Netscape 4.5 or higher.
• an Internet connection (28.8 or faster). Faster connections work better.
• a working sound card with headphones (or speakers) and a microphone.

You can purchase appropriate PC headsets at computer stores.

Dialpad is not without some drawbacks, however. It takes effort to set up for this service the first time, and you must register online to use it. In addition, the audio quality isn't as good as a conventional phone, and the dialing window has advertisements.

For more information about Dialpad, see http://www.dialpad.com. You can find out about other Internet phone products by going to http://www.zdnet.com. Enter "dialpad" into the search field to see recent product reviews.