[GnomeMeeting-list] Newbie looking for clarification (how all this VOIP ties together)

["Brian Johnson" <bjohnson jecinc on ca>]

Hi, just new to VOIP and found gnomemeeting - turns out I've had it for a while on
my distro's CD and didn't even know it

Being new to VOIP, I first started with MSN Messenger since some of the guys in the
office were using it anyway but found that my Linux router's firewall was creating
trouble with the UPnP data system that it uses.

I'm looking for a cross platform (windows 98 and linux) application to improve
communications between our two SOHO offices.  Gnomemeeting and netmeeting look like
two that might work for us

Also, I wanted something that had the potential to tie into a full office wide VOIP
system since I think the future is in that direction (we currently use a Nortel
Norstar system at one site and just simple two line phones at the other site)

I've read a bunch of web pags and HOWTOs and feel that I have the general idea of
how the system works, although trying to pick the actual software packages to use
has left me bewildered (partly I think because some of the articles I've read date
back a  couple of years and I think the software has changed since then)

Anyway, my general understanding is that I can establish two way VOIP calling with
gnomemeeting through my DSL connection.  With the addition of some software, I can
create a private directory to map users to dynamic IP addresses.

Also, additional software and hardware (like the Quicknet phonejack) will allow me
to replace my soundcard, speaker, and mic system with a telephone handset

With other hardware (like the Quicknet linejack) and other software I can actually
bridge between the IP and regular phone line systems

I have a couple of questions that will help me as I try to plan ahead:
- how practical is it to use a VOIP phone system inside a one storey, one location
office? (I'd need an interface card of some type for each phone extension and each
line coming in right?)
- are the VOIP phones essentially the same type of system as a analog phone plugged
into a phonejack card?
- is there a system for linux that could tie in with VOIP to let others on the
system know when someone has logged in (like MSN Messenger for instance)

Also, could someone point me towards a current howto for setting up some of the
more advanced features (while sticking to my soundcard and headset system for now)