Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about VoIP services.

"Can you please briefly explain to me what VoIP is?"

VoIP stands for "voice over internet Protocol." A VoIP phone, (or "broadband phone") is a phone service which connects to your existing high-speed internet connection for the purpose of making and receiving phone calls.

With a traditional landline, you use your phone to make calls over the copper wires running on traditional telephone poles.

There are two kinds of VoIP services: phone-based and computer-based.

With phone-based services, you use your standard phone equipment. With computer-based services you plug a headset and microphone into your computer and make calls that way.

"How do I receive or make a VoIP phone call?"

With a phone-based service you'd do what you always do: pick up the phone to answer it or dial a number to place a call. You won't notice any difference, really.

With a computer-based service, you can make (or receive) calls using a headset and microphone that's plugged into your computer.

"Can I call any phone or just another VoIP phone?"

Most providers now enable you to call any phone number in the world -- local calls, long-distance calls, calls to cellphones, or even international numbers.

However, there are still some computer-based VoIP services providers that still limit you to calling other subscribers to that service (what they call "User to User").

Either way, you'll probably have the option of getting several kinds of features as part of your VoIP services: speaking with more than one person at a time with "conference Calling" or "Three-way Calling", caller ID, etc.

"How's the voice quality?"

The quality of VoIP services have improved quite a bit over the years to the extent that you probably won't be able to tell the difference between VoIP and a standard landline.

However, voice clarity may vary depending on the specific VoIP services provider. It can also depend on the speed and quality of your high-speed internet connection.

before you sign up, you may want to talk to other users of the service you are considering.

"Do I need a computer to make or receive calls?"

Not if you have a phone-based VoIP service. You will need an adapter (which you can get from the VoIP services provider). This adapter will connect your phone to your high-speed internet connection.

You'll need a computer if you use computer-based VoIP services.

"Do I do anything different to make a long-distance call versus a local call?"

No difference. What may be different is how much you are charged to make the call, based on who you go with for your VoIP services. But generally speaking, long-distance rates are pretty low. Not only that: many VoIP services providers will make unlimited long-distance a standard feature of their plans.

"OK, let's get technical. How do VoIP services work?"

Like it says, voice over IP means you are using internet protocols to make and receive phone calls. More specifically, you are using packet switching technology instead of the more traditional circuit switching used in "old-fashioned" phone systems.

What this means is that your call is converted into small digital packets, each of which is marked to indicate that it is part of a larger message. Then it is compressed and sent on its way over several different pathways or routes. Traditional phone systems would use a single route, which was not very efficient -- too much wasted capacity. The routes are chosen depending on network congestion, etc.

At the other end, the packets are put back together in the proper sequence, then decompressed and converted back into a voice message that your party can understand.

hope that wasn't too technical!

Ara Rubyan is not a part of the VoIP industry, nor does he sell VoIP services, nor does he pretend to be a guru of any kind. Instead, he is like you: a consumer, a business owner, and someone who has been researching the industry so that he could make an informed decision about the best VoIP service for his needs. Now, he's put all his research (so far) in one convenient location and he's sharing it with you, no strings attached.

For more info on VoIP services, visit Ara Rubyan's VoIP Solution.

Chelseas hopes to claim the Champions league for their own took a major setback after Barcelona won the first leg at Stamford Bridge. The Blues had Asier del Horno sent off after 36 minutes but the 5/4 favourites took the lead on the hour through a Thiago Motta own goal.

From then on it was all Barcelona and their breakthrough came with 20 minutes left when Ronaldinhos free kick was glanced in by john Terry for the second own goal of the evening. Samuel Etoo sealed the win for the 9/4 outsiders with 10 minutes left.

arsenal had better fortune against spanish opposition, producing a stunning win against favourites Real Madrid at odds of 9/2. The under-strength Gunners took the lead seconds after the break through Thierry Henry and became the first English side to beat Madrid at their own ground.

liverpool may have seen Benfica as a favourable draw but it was the Portuguese side who took the initiative. Both sides struggled to create chances and a draw at 21/10 looked likely. But defender Luisao headed in for Benfica to give the home side a slender 9/5 win.

Rangers came from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw against Villarreal. Juan Roman Riquelme gave the 13/8 Spaniards the lead with a penalty after eight minutes but Rangers hit back through Peter Lovenkrands. diego Forland gave the visitors the lead again 10 minutes before the break but an own goal from Pena eight minutes from time handed the Gers a lifeline.

rank outsiders Werder Bremen caused an 11/5 shock against italian giants Juventus. Christian Schulz bundled in for the home side six minutes before half time but it looked as though 13/10 Juventus would come out victorious with goals from Pavel Nedved and david Trezeguet. However, Bremen were not discouraged and levelled through Tim Borowski with three minutes to go and found a stoppage time winner in Johan Micoud.

A free kick from Brazilian midfielder Juninho was enough to earn 9/5 Lyon an away victory against last seasons semi finalists PSV Eindoven.

European giants Bayern Munich and AC Milan could not be separated in germany. michael Ballack gave 13/10 favourites Bayern the lead but Andriy Shevchenko equalised from the penalty spot.

Finally, Inter Milan battled back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Ajax. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Mauro Rosales gave 23/10 long-shots Ajax a dream start but Dejan Stankovic and Julio Cruz levelled for the Italians.

The first video game system that I actually owned was an Atari game console that played only pong and pong like games. The console used your television to visually display the game and its action. We were thrilled with the system and many hours were spent staring at the television screen with the eerie beep of the pong hitting the paddles echoing through out the room. The next video game system I owned was also an Atari, but instead of being dedicated to only one game, this actually accepted a variety of cartridges which played wonderful games, including Asteroids, Space Invaders and Pac-man. And we once again embraced them as wonderful advancements in technology and introduced them to our children.

Before I knew it, the kids were asking for a Commodore 64. They now wanted a personal computer and I was saving the money to get one, because the price was right. The C64 did not require a monitor, and could be plugged into a television set, and had graphics that were evolving away from the simple shapes of Atari to realistic drawings. Instead of all action games, some of the games involved solving problems and were much more intellectual. Even better, you could copy the games on a cheap cassette tape and pass them around.

The next video game system that the kids were asking for was the nintendo Entertainment system. It had high-resolution, full color, tiled backgrounds and the games were longer and contained more detailed graphics. Super Mario Brothers was the big hit game that everyone wanted. When the sega Mega drive was introduced, they were still happy with their nes. Then the kids outgrew the video game systems and it wasnt until I discovered the role playing game called morrowind that I was drawn into PC video games. I was totally blown away! I could not believe the advancements in technology that enabled such realism! And to my grandchildren, who by the way have nintendo 64 and play station 2 and full access to PC games, these are common, everyday toys. How amazing is that!?

Sandra Cundy