Skype works!

[EJC]

After seeing people in Mexico using their laptops and a headset to make long distance calls, I finally broke down this past week and downloaded Skype. Via your computer, you can make calls to other Skype members on their computer anywhere in the world for free. For $29.50 for an entire year you can make basically unlimited calls to any type of number--Skype, cell phone, or regular land line--in the USA or Canada any time of the day or night. Even better than that, I was unaware there are Skype phones that hook up to your router so that your computer doesn't even have to be on to make or receive Skype calls. I ordered a CIT400 cordless phone. Its main base hooks up to the router via an ethernet port, and you can plug your regular phone line into it also. The cordless handset charging base (separate from the main base) can be placed anywhere in the house to make and receive both Skype and regular phone calls. I know I am several years behind the times regarding Skype, but I am just amazed at the technology and how well it works for so little money. It should really help eliminate those pesky 45-cents-a-minute overage charges for my cell phone (that I mostly use for long distance) when I don't monitor my daytime usage closely enough.

 

[TUGBrian]

call quality leaves a bit to be desired (at least i can always tell when a particular buddy calls me from overseas)...but its certainly not bad to overcome the price for calls!

 

[EJC]

So far I've noticed the call quality varies some. I called Nova Scotia today and the quality was crystal clear. Then a few minutes ago, I called Portland, Oregon, and the connection was a little fuzzy. I haven't had Skype long enough yet to notice if there is a pattern to call quality, but you'd think Portland would have been clearer than Nova Scotia!

 

[tompalm]

You forgot to mention the webcam. I just got Skype a couple months ago and have been talking with friends in Japan, China and India. It is nice to see people on the other end of the computer. Of course, this can only be done on computer to computer calls and it does not cost any money. The biggest benefit is for people that want to see relatives, like grandchildren. I have been trying to talk my brothers, sister and cousins into getting a webcam, but they haven't caught on yet. Skype is amazing, I thought I was up on all the latest technology stuff, but was surprised to see how much you can do on Skype. The down side is a lot of kids are using it for porn. So be careful if you have teenage kids around. I just saw that on Opra.

 

[EJC]

I don't own a webcam. I don't like having my picture taken, let alone having a webcam pointed at me. As you mentioned, it would be great for grandparents, etc. I am just impressed with the quality of many of the calls. Before I installed Skype, I was thinking people would sound like they had the hiccups or there'd be a lot of static. Not so. I almost bought one of those "Magic Jack" devices instead, but several reviewers were frustrated with their customer service or lack thereof.

 

[Passepartout]

I have a Magic Jack. I don't make a lot of calls, but have not had any complaints about quality. When you set it up you get to choose the location of it's inbound phone number, so I set it up in a city where our kids/grandkids live so their calls to us are local for them. I suspect the call quality has a lot to do with internet connection quality/speed. My ASUS eeePC has built-in Skype and webcam that I haven't used. Maybe one of these days......

Jim Ricks

 

[caribbeansun]

Why, because it's in the same country? Different carriers = different quality.

We use Skype for company conference calls between multiple locations - works fine for us.

but you'd think Portland would have been clearer than Nova Scotia!

 

[irishween]

We just started using skype with our webcam. My sister lives in CO and we in PA. It is great to be able to see my nephew who is only 10 months old. My mom won't fly so this gives her a chance to see her grandson grow and change. Now when they visit her he will be familiar with her face and voice. There is an option to see the person you are talking to and them not see you - if you are camera shy. I find the whole thing truly amazing.

 

[xzhan02]

I've been using Skype to contact my elderly parents for a while (the webcam made the kids more interested in talking to grandparents). One thing I also like is I can see them on the computer before I call, knowing that they are not taking one of those iregular naps. Skype is also great for conference calls (no video though). I've had calls with 4 parties in four different countries, and it was lots of fun. We also use Skype to keep contact with my husband when he travels. The neat thing is with a lap top, kids really loves to see live view of someplaces far away, like skyscrapers and lights of Tokyo (as well as their "cool" bathroom). The best is all this for free.

There is some quality and reliability issue occasionally so I won't this as my only line.