So my goal of using those kiosks as a broadcast portal has crossed another threshold of efficiency. I might have to wait until Monday but I should be able to reduce the labor involved by nearly two-thirds, from dialing two phone numbers and an access code to simply dialing one number. Actually I could dial one of hundreds of numbers but for a monthly fee I could get a direct line with no access codes or anything but the number.
I decided to move on from the free conference calling services. I’ve known almost from the get go that their business model is pretty sketchy in how it exploits an FCC loophole to wring untold millions out of the big telcos. But a correspondence with one of their support guys showed to me just what an elephant in the room that is for their entire business model.
At first I thought I could set up my own phone system. I had Asterix running on a dedicated CentOS server, and Mizu VOIP on this PC at home. But neither is my idea of easy. So I figured for $20 a month no contract I’ll try another approach. It is good. I just wish there was no VOIP 4-hour limit, although I guess that quality makes the experience of hearing it that much more ephemeral.
I’m just talking to myself here. Only one other person really knows what I am doing with all this and I trust my secrets are safe with him.
