| Brian A 2006-07-10, 7:11 am |
| On Sun, 9 Jul 2006 22:01:27 +0000 (UTC), Brian <bandj@o2.co.uk> wrote:
>On 2006-07-09, Brian A <no_spam_bca1000@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>Unless the circumstances in which a USB phone are being used are known I
>cannot see how it is possible to generalise to this extent. Someone
>with a laptop, a USB phone and access to a WiFi hotspot, and wanting
>some help, may not be wanting to hear 'ditch the USB connection and get
>an ATA'.
>
>
>Could this also be a factor? A goodly number of people have internal
>ADSL modems supplied to them by their ISPs. They either do not know
>about the router alternative or decline to replace the modem on grounds
>of cost. Taking the USB route is the only way for them to run a
>telephony application.
Some ATAs run between the modem and the computer - no router needed.
>
>
>The pros and cons of having a computer on all the time have been
>discussed many times elsewhere and any contribution of mine is highly
>unlikely to be decisive in altering anyones opinion as to the merits of
>the choice made. What I will observe is, that having decided to leave
>the machine on, whether it be to use a USB handset, log the events
>taking place on an ATA or listen to an internet radio station, it
>becomes an inconvenience to leave it off.
>
>What an ATA gives you here is not necessarily convenience but choice.
>With a USB device there is no choice.
>
>
>Because you can use a cordless phone?
Could be but also you can use standard wired phones. I have 3 wired
phones and set of 4 cordless phones.
>
>
>This is a great convenience but it can also be done with a USB adaptor.
>
>
>A few more details here would be useful. The automatic selection
>procedure is unclear to me.
>
>
>This is the 'running a computer all day is bad' argument again. It wins
>if the only thing you want to do is receive a telephone call without
>having the machine on. But if you want to run a mail or web server it
>is a less compelling.
Agreed. However, the average Joe, who is likely to plumb for a USB
handset and feel reluctant to pursue the ATA route, is unlikely to be
the same type of person who is running a mail server etc. as that
takes some technical expertise.
>
>
>I cannot see what this has to do with deciding on an ATA or a USB
>device.
It is very much more easy and economical to fully equip all areas of
your premises with standard telephones that are 'non-technical person'
proof by going the ATA route than the Skype/softphone route.
>
>[Snip]
>
>Some additional reasons for choosing an ATA:
>
>An ATA and router combination is operating system neutral. Getting USB
>drivers for non-Windows machines is very problematic.
>
>The feature sets of inexpensive corded and cordless phones can be better
>than similarily priced USB phones.
>
>If it's the sort of thing you want, an ATA is more versatile (ring
>tones, for example) than the software being controlled by the USB phone.
>
>It depends on the operating system but a misbehaving softphone may
>compromise the machine whereas a delinquant ATA can be rebooted without
>affecting the computer.
>
>Brian.
Remove 'no_spam_' from email address.
|