Skype

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 18 Feb 2005, 09:53

Anyone use Skype? Basically, it's free to download software that enables you to make free telephone calls via your computer to any other Skype user, as well as reduced calls to land-lines. It is featured in the latest issue of Computer Active (issue 183) and you can download the software from www.skype.com

There is a PHBB mod available to add a Skype button to your profile, so if a few people are interested in using this service we can maybe persuade wangi to load it for us. You will need a microphone of some type, but that's about it.

xxxx · Post by **xxxx** » 18 Feb 2005, 10:38

No need to spam people about it though

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 18 Feb 2005, 13:48

Yes, well anyway - those of you who are as enthused as I am about this technology might want to invest in one of these, which seems to be well reviewed.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 23 Feb 2005, 21:49

I just love a new toy! Headset arrived today and came, unexpectedly, with 120 minutes of free Skype PC to landline calls. Tried it out and it works perfectly. Cheap calls are great, but now I need to persuade people to download the software so I can start enjoying FREE calls to other Skype users.

No catch - free telephone calls to anyone in the world who also has a free Skype account. Instant messaging and other features built in. What are you waiting for? Dead easy to use. This isn't geek stuff. I can do it. You can do it.

From the BBC website:

Making phone calls over the net

Brian McCrow · Post by **Brian McCrow** » 01 Mar 2005, 18:46

I'm also experimenting with skype (rhymes with type (or tripe for the cynics)). I like the idea of free calls to my daughter in the USA. When I go to visit her I'll take my laptop or use her PC to make cheap calls to UK
Landlines at 1.4p per minute. It's the same cost to phone from the UK to a USA landline.

I've been making my business calls within the UK from home using skype this week and it's stood up well. I think a better headset will improve reception but it's already good. I'm investigating a Bluetooth headset so I can walk about the room while making the call without having wires trailing after me.

This really makes good use of the Internet using Voice over IP (VoIP) with very clever technical design. It's Peer to Peer and doesn't take much disc space. Seemingly it'll run over dial-up for those who don't have Broadband. It's a cinch to set up and needs no technical knowledge.

You only need a set of headphones although you can use the loudspeaker and microphone supplied with your laptop/PC. There are other devices such as a phone, which links via the USB port but I don't think that's necessary - see Accessories on the skype.com site.

You download phone credits if you want to make calls to people on landlines and mobiles and the system decrements them as you speak. You get a total of your call duration and the credit left.

The company is headquartered in Luxembourg, founded by a Swede and a Dane using programmers based in Tallin. A true European venture. They have won so many awards - see the Web site - skype.com

Try it as it costs you nothing and you pay for external calls at a cheap rate.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 01 Mar 2005, 20:53

I just made my first Skype call. Guess who with?

Fellow mods, I think you should sign up for this. It's easy to set up conference calls so we could plot against Porty without having to troop down to Sizzlers each time.

Brian McCrow · Post by **Brian McCrow** » 01 Mar 2005, 22:04

My wife and I went to Sizzlers this lunchtime. Very good and well priced.

House wine was good. Food good. Nice owner.

We'll be back.

We skipped back home or should that have been skyped.

CatzVP · Post by **CatzVP** » 07 Mar 2005, 22:15

I get calls to the UK for 2p per minute anytime from my land line. (which is weird as i'm sure I payed 4.5p a minute local rate in the UK!) But I will give it a go as you can buy USB VoIP handsets here for about $10 each and because I like sticking unknown software into my backup PC to see if I can finally destroy it!!

Whhhaaaahaaahhaaahaaa!!!