Created : 3 april 2003
Last updated : 3 april 2003
Classification : freeware
Copyright : restricted freeware
Status : First stages
Comments : Will replace all intercontinental phoning between officials
An alternative was sought and "voice over IP" was what were we after. "Voice of IP" means telephoning using the internet. Using soundcards, a normal call to a local internet host and a data stream to the other side of the world two persons can avoid paying intercontinental connection costs.
A internet connection to a local host is of course much cheaper and the required modem and soundcard are very inexpensive these days.
After some looking around it was found that MSN messenger is not only free of charge and can also be used for more than "just voice over IP" connections. It also faciliates exchanges of documents and video streams. In short I looks like MSN messenger is the way to go.
-1- a 486 DX , 66 MHz processor or newer
-2- an OS like ; Windows 98, Windows Millenium, Windows 2000, Windows NT4, Windows XP
-3- 17 MB free hard disk space
-4- at minimum 32 MB RAM memory
-5- Microsoft Internet Explorer 5,1 or higher
-6- Modem with a minimum 33,6 Kbps or more
-7- A connection to an internet provider that is able to transmit 33,6 Kbps or more
-8- A 16 bits soundcard with microphone connector or better
-9- A headset or speaker/stereo
-10- A microphone
-2- The list of operating systems includes all the operating systems supplied by the company Microsoft and so will also include some 95 % of the home computing people. Home computers with Windows 95 need to download and install MSN messenger version 4.6 instead of 5.0. So even these users can join us.
-3- 17 MB free hard disk space is peanuts for todays computers even my old museum piece of 5 uears old has a 4 GB hard drive standard. That is only 240 times more than needed. Again this should only be a problem to owners of PC's that are older than 10 years or that compiled a broad collection of pictures and movies. We won't go into which kind of pictures and videos at this time.
-4-A minimum of 32 MB RAM memory. Even 5 years ago the standard was 126 MB ram. Only computers of 8 years or older are likely to have a problem with this. Anyways RAM memory is incredibally cheap; 512 MB is about 70,- US$
-5- Microsoft Internet Explorer 5,1 or higher can be downloaded for free from the Microsoft webpage. Explorer 5.0 was delivered with Windows 98 so any newer OS will have a higher version. I'm using Internet Explorer 5.0 now and it seems to work okay.
-6- A 56k6 modem nowadays costs about 29,- US$ and will be more than adequate for the job. This modem is the lowest possible option in computers for the last 3 years and it was introduced back in 1996. So only PC's olders than 6 years are likely to have problems with this option.
-7- You also need a telephone connection or other internet connection that is able to sustain at least 33,6 Kbps. Only bad phone lines go that low and all alternatives to phone lines like ISDN and ADSL are much faster. In general this shouldn't be a problem to anyone. Furthermore you'll need an internet provide but nearly everybody already has one these days. If not than you can sign up for free internet access. When you do than configure it manually using only Windows tools and avoid the irritating commercials. I've been using a free internet provide now for 4 years and I have no complaints what so every. Apart from the "easy to install" cd that is. Don't even touch that one.
-8- A 16 bits soundcard with microphone connector is the lowest possible sound card on the market today and costs some 29,- US$ in general.
-9- A headset or speaker/stereo. Do you own a walkman or something ? That'll work.
-10- A microphone comes as cheap as 5,- US$ but it does pay to buy some more quality.
All in all when you just have a, say, 5 year old PC with no modem, soundcard or microphone it will cost you some 70 US$ to get up to speed. But these old configurations are a rare find these days.
More likely you'll have system that only lacks a headset and microphone which will set you back no more than 10 to 20 bucks. How quickly is that earned back when communicating long distance ?
Your PC will have to download a shy 4 MB of data and a 56k6 modem will take just shy of 25 minutes to do so.
It is best to close all applications while installing / downloading but to keep the internet connection open during the process.
MSN messenger will become operational immediately after installing.
If you already have a hotmail mailbox than you use the same logon name and passwords to set up your MSN messenger. Later on you'll be able to switch from mailbox to messenger at any time. Easy huh ?
The remainder is self explanatory.