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O'Reilly Releases "Talk is Cheap"

Millions of people are saving money by switching from using their traditional phones to placing calls over the Internet. According to research firm IDC, the number of US subscribers to residential voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services will grow from 3 million in 2005 to 27 million by the end of 2009.

"Talk is Cheap" (Gaskin, O'Reilly, US $19.95) dispels the mysteries surrounding the different options and types of services and shows consumers how to get started. "For the first time in history, you can control your phone service," states author James Gaskin. "And better yet, you'll save money doing it while benefiting from free features. In this book, I provide all of the information consumers need to feel comfortable upgrading to Internet phone services."

The book walks through information on how it all works, details on the different services, the right equipment, and how to place 911 emergency calls. Gaskin also includes a wealth of tips and tricks for advanced users.

"Talk is Cheap" is written for consumers who are tired of paying more for traditional phone services and are curious about how Internet telephony can help them. In addition to saving on services like long-distance, readers can learn about great free features, different equipment choices, and options available with VoIP services:
 

-Standard and advanced features include voicemail, caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, 3-way calling, in-network calls, call transfer, area code selection, call return, caller ID blocking, calling line ID blocking per call, call forwarding, selective priority alert, 311 dialing, and 911 dialing
-Cost comparisons between SBC and broadband phone services including free features
-Comparisons between computer-centric features vs. phone-centric features
-Videophone options
-Call encryption for privacy
-Details for 911 support and alarm calls
-A checklist for new users to help them get up and running easily
-Guidance on how to subscribe and manage accounts
-Equipment details including phone-centric and computer-centric tools, routers, headsets, wireless and conference phones

In the final chapter, we get a glimpse of what the future may hold with the impact of wireless networks, the potential for broadband phones to compete with cellular, and the increased mainstream appeal if companies like Google decide to join the Internet telephony bandwagon. Gaskin's "Talk is Cheap" is an easy to absorb guide that demystifies Internet telephony for the home or small business consumer.

Additional Resources:
Chapter 3, "Free Internet Phone Features That You're Paying for Now," is available online: http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/talk/chapter/index.html

For more information about the book, including table of contents, index, author bio, and samples, see: http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/talk/

Talk is Cheap
James E. Gaskin
ISBN: 0-596-009607, 272 pages, $19.95 US, $27.95 CAN
order@oreilly.com
1-800-998-9938
1-707-827-7000
http://www.oreilly.com
1005 Gravenstein Highway North
Sebastopol, CA 95472

About O'Reilly
O'Reilly Media is the premier information source for leading-edge computer technologies. The company's books, conferences, and web sites bring to light the knowledge of technology innovators. O'Reilly books, known for the animals on their covers, occupy a treasured place on the shelves of the developers building the next generation of software. O'Reilly conferences and summits bring alpha geeks and forward-thinking business leaders together to shape the revolutionary ideas that spark new industries. From the Internet to XML, open source, .NET, Java, and web services, O'Reilly puts technologies on the map.

For more information: http://www.oreilly.com.

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