I have seen lots of people ask about Skype, so I figured as a long term skype user I'd put some info on it.

Skype is a communications service using computers. You can make a "voice call" from your computer to another computer at no charge. Like IM. You can do conference calls.

Skype-Out is a paid service, like $15 per year or 2 cents/minute. This allows you to call from your computer to a regular phone.

Skype-In is where you are assigned a local U.S. phone number that is attached to your skype account. I think it is like $30 per year. That way, people can call you from their phone. They dial a U.S. number (it's also available in other countries). If you are not online, then your Skype voicemail picks it up. If you are online, then your computer "rings".

You are not limited to a single computer, as the account follows you. If you are in an internet cafe that has skype capability, then you log in to your skype account and your call info is available.

Going beyond...I carry a little USB phone I bought from WalMart. Like $20. That way I don't have to use the mic/speakers on the laptop. For about $50 you can buy a VoSKY box that links from your computer to any kind of telephone. I have that at the house. For about $100 you can buy a skype router that eliminates the need for a computer. But you have to use the router and a telephone.

Skype is available on the PPC, so you can use your skype stuff where ever you find a hotspot and you don't have to use expensive international cell phones.

The sound quality is ok, better than a normal telephone in many instances. However, this can vary due to connection speeds and quality. Also, your call can get dropped. Sometimes there are weird echos or static. Not a bad compromise, since this is all for about $50 per year.

Remember, even if you are using a PPC, this isn't a cell phone, as it only works with a live internet connection, although messages and voicemails are saved until you login. Also there are tens of thousands of skype locations, so you can use an internet cafe instead of having your own computer.

Skype is available online at...

http://www.skype.com/

I do not work for skype, this is just for information and is not an advertisement.

dave

thanks, this was really informative. I have actually thought of skype while I was in Europe to talk to people at home.

If anyone wants to read a very interesting aticle which made a page in our local newspaper titled 'Decoding The Hype About Skype' go on line to:
[email protected]
Fill in the author as Andrea Arbuckle,
the date featured as 18th January,2007
(No photographer) and the article title as I have mentioned ("decoding......etc.)

Sorry - Before filling in the author bit ,first click on Natal Witness then 'Search' (on the left) This brings up the box you fill in for the article.

Thanks, Daveesl.
I have a couple of questions.
1) How do you know if an internet cafe has "skype capability"? Meaning broad band?
2) I need to call into a conference call from Europe back to the US via a 1 800 number. But many 800 numbers are blocked from Europe. (for example airline 800 numbers). Do you know anything about this?

Thanks very much for any info. I need to be in on a conference call while I am in Europe.

although i don´t have skype yet, i understand is it FREE calling from skype to skype computers.

We used Skype a lot last summer to call from Europe to the US. At 2 cents per minute, it was an amazing deal.

We tried making a call just using the microphone on the laptop, but immediately realized that a headset with microphone would be much better. With the headset, call quality was excellent.

We had our own laptop, so used it in our hotel rooms or apartments where we had either wifi or a wired internet connection.

Thank you, daveesl. We've been using Skype since our daughter is spending a semester in the Netherlands.

I was happy to hear about the VoSKY box - I think this is what my husband has been trying to explain to me.

Thanks, you've done me a great service!

What about Skype SMC WiFi Phone: apparently you can use them anywhere there is WiFi without a computer. Would this work in Europe from any WiFi spot. Anyone using it?

ttt- for more to see

Dave - I have been using Skype Out and skype to skpe in N America.
From Europe and from my laptop, is skype to skpe still free?
Do I need to buy some overseas minutes for skype out?

Skype to skype is free (pc to pc). I always use the phone side though, since everyone I contact doesn't use skype, except for my 86 year old father. (go figure).

Nice part about SkypeIn/SkypeOut is that your local phone number, say Florida, is used by people everywhere.



dave

We have been using Skype computer-to-computer and computer-to-landline for a while now. What I'd like to know is if the low rates apply to cell phones abroad. I plan to buy a GSM phone and an Intl. SIM card with free incoming calls. Just wondering if DD can Skype us cheaply from our US computer to a European SIM cellphone.

Thanks!

Dave - still not sure of the answer for this one....
I have a Skype plan whereby computer-to-landline is free in N.America.
I am taking my laptop to Europe (france).
Will I be able to use Skype computer-to-landline from Europe to N.America? Will I have to "buy" minutes or something?

We are long time Skype users as well. I just have one caveat. If you have Skype up and running all of the time, Skype can use your computer as a node.

Aside...Is Skype a seventh wonder of the modern world?

I used Skype this summer to talk to my daughter for the two months she spent in London. We called each other from our computers for free, so the price can't be beat. Most of the time the connection was less than perfect, however.

Sometimes there is a long delay which makes conversation difficult. Then I would hear my own comments and after that my daughter would be able to answer. And, like long distance calls of the past, it couldn't handle two people talking at once.

Well, I looked at Skype and it seems that I will pay .28/minute for a call from US computer to an Estonian cell phone. (Looking at buying from TravelSIM which is based in Estonia, so I guess the rates apply to an Estonian cell number...) Am I missing anything?

We used Skype this summer to talk to (and see) our daughter when she was in Brisbane for 6 weeks. Both her computer and ours have cameras, so it was like a video conference call - very cool, and VERY cheap.

(meaning NO cost). And the connection was very good probably 95 percent of the time. Periodically the connection would be lost and one of us would simply have to "call" again.

KC

I am giving my daughter a Skype Phone (no need for a computer, just an WiFi internet connection at her apt.). I hope to be able to call her toll-free (she has a US telephone number). Calling from the Skype phone home, I guess we will have to subscribe to Skype Out.

The phone is NetGear, and is about the size of a small cell phone.