Where to Go From Here…

A few days ago I wrote a post asking for feedback about what I should be writing about. In hinsight, it was the best thing I could have ever done.

In all, I heard from over 50 different individuals; some posted a comment, most sent me an email, a few even pick-up the phone and called me. The entire experience was both eye-opening and very rewarding – to know that people are actually reading and value what I have been doing over the last three years here on Smith On VoIP is beyond what I imagined.

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Thank You…

I just want to thank everyone who responded to my last post. In all, 38 people contacted me with suggestions – an overwhelming response in my estimation.  With every post I write I put myself out there and to know that there are readers of mine willing to take time out of their days to help me better direct my efforts is an awesome feeling.

Look for more on all of this in a upcoming post. Thanks again.

- Garrett

What Should I Be Writing About?

VoIPSmith’s – in case you haven’t noticed I have had quite the bloggers block of late.

I’m in need of some direction.

What do you want me to write about? This blog is as much about you as is me, so tell me what you would like to read.

Take a minute and leave me some feedback. I’d appreciate it.

IT Expo Round-up – Day 2

Here is a nice round up of some of the news coming out of LA at the IT Expo if, like me, you weren’t able to make it out.

• Aastra’s New DECT solution – Aastra’s previous SIP DECT solution worked like a champ and with WiFi phones losing their luster, the Aastra MBU 400 could be a home run.
• SIP Print debuts call recording appliance – Never heard of SIP Print and with most phone systems these days featuring the ability to record calls, their appliance might face some hurdles ahead, but if you are in need of call recording functionality, check them out.
• Junction Networks certifies another handset manufacturer - Looks like my pals at Junction Networks are continuing to grow their ecosystem in announcing that Aastra handsets now work with Junction’s OnSIP hosted service.
• Phonevite opens up API – One-to-many phone broadcasting service Phonevite, who in less then a year is already profitable, has released their API – look for some interesting mash-up’s to come from this.
• Jonathan tells us what most have known for a few years – VoIP is dead? No, it’s not, but as Jonathan says, it is no longer as important as it once was thanks to IM, video and SMS. 

Introducing Smith On VoIP Guides

Every week I am on the receiving end of an email from someone soliciting assistance on how to select the proper VoIP solution to meet their needs. They are often lost, confused, misinformed or worried about all of the parts, pieces, considerations and choices that confront them.

While I enjoy helping them, I thought it might be helpful if I created a series of guides that would help businesses and individuals select the right VoIP solution.

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Google VoIP Knols – Win $1900

As some of you may know Google recently launched a new product, Knol. Knol is a user generated content site, made in the same vein as Wikipedia. I believe it to be an incredible product whose popularity will grow in the coming months and so I took the liberty of creating a few VoIP related Knols. However, rather than have the definitions for these terms come from me, I thought I would get all of the VoIP experts out there visiting this site to help out through a contest.

Win a Digium AA50 Asterisk Appliance!

For the terms below, the person who contributes the most pieces of additional information to each Knol, will win a Digium Asterisk Appliance AA50 with 8FXO ports and a silver subscription (over an $1900 value). For more product details, go here. So all you have to do to win this Asterisk Appliance is contribute some solid content!

Here are the Knols I have created:

• VoIP
• SIP
• Mobile VoIP
• IP PBX
• Phone System

I look forward to all of your content contributions and to awarding a shiny new AA50 to someone!

Lots of Site Changes Coming

There will be a number of new site deisgn, layout and functionality changes coming this week. Please be patient as I work through them. An entire list of enhancements and improvements will be documented in a future post.