Alternatively, you don't need a computer for something like Vonage (if
you're already paying for high-speed internet). Some amount per month
($19.95) and you get a real telephone number (you get to pick your area
code*) and all the bells and whistles: caller-id, call waiting, voice mail,
3-way calling, call forwarding, yak-yak-yak, plus all the long distance you
can eat.

This $19.95/month is it. No sales tax, Spanish-American War tax, Al Gore
tax, universal access fee, 911 connection fee, fuel surcharge, physical
plant recovery fee, whatever. $19.95 per month, period.

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* This comes in hand if all your relatives are in, say, Boston. You can get
617 area code and, when they call you, it's a local call. Or, if you live in
Dead Rabbit, Oklahoma and want all your customers to think you're high-tech,
you can get a Palo Alto, California area code.

You can chose your area code and get free Voicemail, Caller ID ect
with MagicJack for just $19.95 a year.