206 – VoIP For Beginners

This week the WELSTech Podcast is all about Internet-based telephone solutions, and we a look at the offerings from one of ShopWELS newest partners, Digium.

The discussion:

Internet phones – Using Voice over Internet Protocol (or VoIP) to make long distance calls at an affordable or sometimes free rate is the topic of the day.  Martin and Sallie attempt to sort out the various options and share pros and cons of each solution.

• WELSTech’s VoIP Comparison
• Skype
• magicJack
• Google Talk
• Vonage

The interview:

(20:05) The next level – Mark Robinson from DVI Consulting and principal contact for the ShopWELS program talks with Martin and Sallie about the cost and productivity benefits of IP telephony systems.  Get a glimpse of the future as Mark describes WELS partner Digium and their reliable and effective means of supporting phone system needs for small to medium churches and schools.

• Contact Mark for more information – 262-546-0088 or [email protected]

Ministry resources:

(39:24) The Christ in Media Institute – Promoting production and distribution of Christian media

News in tech:

(40:05) Google Docs Updates Presentations With Real-Time Collaboration, New Themes, Transitions and More

Picks of the week:

• (43:06) WordPress – Hosted (.com) and DIY (.org)
• Lynda.com online training

Community feedback:

• (50:55) Bill Freitag wrote to say how much he likes the WELS Online iOS app upgrade.  Share your comments in iTunes!
• Shared this week in the WELSTech Diigo group:
  • Free Phone Number to Receive Fax via Email
  • Nebraska School District Moodle Site with free technology courses and teacher resources
  • Build effective church websites that engage with outsiders from the BIGBible Project
• On the WELSTech Facebook page, Michael Knepprath shared a link to Box.net.  Sign up with an Apple mobile device by December 2nd and get 50GB of free storage space.

Coming up on WELSTech:

(58:54) Episode 207 – Tune in to learn the identity of our brand new semi-regular classroom technology correspondent as Martin and Sallie share the mic and talk all things Chromebook! (Release date – 10/26/11)

The featured artist:

(1:00:20) We close the podcast with the music of The Branches Band (www.branchesband.com|Facebook) – I Rejoiced from their “Sing, My Tongue” CD

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