Google Voice - An easy way to make international calls

Google voice is been in the service for quite a time now continuously improving on the call quality. Using Google voice you can now call a mobile, office, work land line phones from computer system or even from your own mobile! Yes, you can opt for a Google access number which can be used to access your voice mails and make calls. Its a unique number given to you from Google.

My personal experience is that when I traveled to USA, the easiest and quickest way to call home was the Google voice. Otherwise, to buy a phone and a sim card and calling cards, you need more time.

Following are the some of the Good things I feel about Google Voice

1. Local calls are Free (USA and Canada)

2. International calls are very cheap.

3. Better manage you voice mail. Customized voice mail greetings can be configured.

4. You can use Google Voice with a brand new number from Google or your existing mobile phone number.

5. Easy method for adding calling credit.

6. Google voice can be configured to call multiple phones based timings, such as office, work, mobile phones.

7.  Good call quality except very rare cases.

8. You can get your credit refunded if you wish not use Google voice.

9. Google voice can be configured to send email whenever your friends call you etc.

10. Call and billing history can be viewed at any time.

Google voice is very convenient  when you are traveling the world to make calls without worrying about which service provider to go for and what are the best calling card options etc. This is true at least at the initial time of your new travel place. Google voice was very handy for every body when I shared this information with my friends and hope this helps you tool.

Google.com/voice for information.

Different Types Of Software Licenses

The software licensing is actually software marketing strategy. The software is licensed and sold to customers to protect the copyright law. It is essential to copyright the software to avoid software theft.The only category of software that's free is freeware as the name indicates. Anyone can download and use freeware. Software without paying any money. Some software licenses require a software key during installation time itself or some software require license keys after initial trial period.There are different types of software licenses typically called 'Software Licensing Mechanisms' which I'm going to talk about in this post especially for software developer's perspective.

Software programmers write software for free. Though the freeware is 'free' the authors can still get benefited by placing advertisement in their software programs. Giving software for free is another way to promote one's software/software product to gain the popularity. Freeware does not contain any information about licensing and end user agreement.

Open Source License

The open source is free software that anyone can download, modify and use. The users can even use the open source code for commercial use as long as they agree to open source licensing agreements. Typically it involves to include the original copyrights such as GNU General Public License 3.0 etc.
Many organizations are leveraging the 'openness' of the open source software, reduce cost and modify the software to meet their requirements keeping all the open source licensing agreements in mind.

Single User License

In this type of software licensing mechanism, the software has to be used by a single person meaning that a single computer system. There are two mechanisms to implement this type of licensing mechanism, bind the license with user ID or bind the license with Host (computer system) id. Host is something like a MAC address of the system. Host ID is unique across all computers. Have a look here (http://www.mathworks.com/support/solutions/en/data/1-171PI/) to see Host ID or Machine ID. Usually you are allowed to install the software and upon installation the software generates the HOST ID based on certain parameters and locks that HOST ID with that computer hardware and license file so generated contains the HOST ID.

Multi-User/Shared License

A license can be used by defined set of users. If used by more number of people than allowed, its a license violation and will be notified to the software vendor.
This is implemented by checking the concurrent use of the license. Note that if the license is bond to the user ID, the user can use the software on different machines and this is not the case if the license is bond to the Mac-ID/Host Id of the computer system.

Floating License

The floating license as the name indicates 'floats' across different users. The floating type of license can be used by many people however if the license is being used by a person, then its not usable by other people. Typically the license lives in a server and upon starting the software, it will ask you for license server and license key details to proceed.

Limited/Unlimited Licenses

Limited type of licenses are limited to limited number of computers and may have extra agreements such as software should not be used for commercial use whereas unlimited license type is that there is no limit on number of computer systems where the software can be run but should be used in a single physical location such as School/College/Hospital etc.

Conclusion

Licensing mechanisms are there as software marketing strategies and significantly affect the software sales and hence its very important to carefully select a licensing strategy for the customers. The licensing can be customized to the extent that business demands. For example, each feature of the software can be made to check for feature license for the people who write and sell software. And for all software users it is very essential to read and understand all the licensing agreements before purchasing the software. Also have a look at Creative Commons License types.