Faxing over IP isn't as developed as voice communication, and VoIP faxing devices are rare. As Mike Oliszewski, CTO for FaxBack puts it, "The issues associated with connecting fax machines via SIP T.38-based ATAs still pose a serious challenge for carriers seeking to migrate their internet connected customers to VoIP." They have therefore introduced an ATA (commonly known as a phone adapter), for faxing over IP using the T.38 protocol. The difference between this ATA and non-fax ones is that, beyond the VoIP functionalities, it embeds the necessary software and intelligence for reliably connecting fax machines and computers to a range of common networks. Read more

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Many put a question mark to this phrase, because many are still skeptical as to Skype becoming open source. Developers inside Skype (namely Stanislav Karchebny, a.k.a Berkus) announced that Skype is definitely going open source. Olivier Faurax also shares on his blog his correspondence with Skype on the matter, confirmation the information. However, we still ask whether it will be the complete Skype we know, including its core protocols and algorithms, or simply its user interface. This is the reason for the skepticism. Berkus says, "Having an open source UI will help us get adopted in the "multicultural" land of Linux distributions...".

Why only an open source 'UI' (user interface)? This is most probably because going open source might prove to be rather uncomfortable for Skype. Firstly because if we believe Joltid, the main underlying Skype communication technology doesn't belong to Skype but to them, which is the reason for their lawsuit against Skype. This tempts us to say that besides its GUI and billing service, Skype doesn't own much of its application. Secondly, an open source Skype will nurture potentially serious security issues. With thousands of hands able to make surgery into the app, the prejudice to Skype might potentially stem from simple network attacks to stealing calling credit. In the best case, it's going to be harder for Skype to manage the application.

On the bright side, that is the users' side, open source Skype will be most welcome, especially by Linux users. The app would be far richer that what it is now, with a worldwide cohort of developers free to add any options and features they want to the app. This will also make it more accessible to platforms other than Windows - the actual Linux version of Skype severely lags behind the Windows version.

Who said VoIP was dead? An Infonetics research showed that for the first half of 2009, the VoIP services services worldwide generated a whopping $21 billion. Above that, demand for VoIP keeps being on the rise, while that of other services accused a slowdown, mainly due to recession.

A breakdown of the study reveals the following main points:

• Residential VoIP has the majority of paid VoIP revenue and subscribers are 14% more numerous over last year;
• IP connectivity services amount to a third of the total VoIP business revenue;
• North America is the biggest VoIP market;
• More details...

The number of rather positive reviews on Windows 7 that flooded the Internet since its launch, and even before, make us think that it is poised to replace the XP celebrity. But, on the other hand, I can't help thinking that Vista also had many positive reviews when it was launched, but that didn't prevent it from being a flop.

The question that brought you here is whether it is VoIP-friendly. Why wouldn't it be, given there was no problem with Windows XP? But Microsoft being Microsoft, you don't what works and what doesn't, and who'll be blocked. At times, commercial battles overshadow technology. But Windows 7 promises to be open, and even shows sign of a warmer welcome towards VoIP. What remains is for third-party developers to readjust their applications accordingly. Read more

If you have used or tried to use VoIP on Windows 7, share your views and experience with us.

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