Skype, Free Internet telephoning Options

[Eric Legge]

Has anyone used http://www.skype.com/ ?

If so, what are your opinions of it?

Eric

[redmaledeer]

"... created by the people who brought you KaZaA, ..." Am I mistaken that KaZaA is a major carrier of spyware/adware? If so, isn't that cause for worry?

[Stryder]

I use Skype and FWD (Free World Dialup) all the time. Both are free and work great. Skype does not have spyware (at least not yet). I no longer use "Instant Messengers" at all. I do not even have one installed anymore. I do all my "Instant Communications" with Skype and FWD. It is so much easier and more pleasant to actually hear peoples voices than reading text. While it took me a while to convince some people to try it....once they did they agreed that it is WAY better than the traditional IMs.

The software works just like an IM client. You have a "buddy list" and you can easily see who is online and who is not. You just need a microphone and speakers. Getting a cheap $10 - $15 headset with microphone works the best. Skype, or IP telephony in general, is the future. Traditional text IMs are on the road to being obsolete.

[Ed_P]

While it took me a while to convince some people to try it....

I interpet that to mean it only works between other users of Skype, it is not able to call people who simply have a phone. Yes?

[Stryder]

I interpet that to mean it only works between other users of Skype, it is not able to call people who simply have a phone.  Yes?

Exactly. Although there are plans in the works to expand skype to be able to connect to a POTS (traditional phone) line. Though that will be a pay service like Vonage, P8, Broadvox, etc.

But computer to computer calls will remain a free service. The sound quality of the current service is outstanding. Skype made a real breakthrough with their codec.

[havnblast]

I find it to be the the best voice chatting program out there.

Great quality - give it a whirl and yes you will have to get someone else to download it to use it

Hopefully Kazaa doesn't ruin it later on with crapware

[Paracelsus]

I hadn't really paid any attention to the few threads on Skype when originally posted, as I didn't have much interest at the time, and didn't have the proper equipment. However...
About two weeks ago, a friend mentioned it to me and I thought... WTH... I'll give it a go.
Installed it and immediately ran a slew of Spyware/Malware apps. Nada!! Squeaky Clean Then browsed around Online for a good Headset. Lots of nice ones out there, but got the best discount on an Altec-Lansing at buy.com (almost 50% off the MSRP)
Received the Headset this past Friday and got everything set-up and tested on Saturday.
From the few conversations I've had so far using Skype... the Quality and Clarity of the sound is Awesome. Very much like a regular telephone, and with no need to speak "one at a time". Yes... with Skype... you can still enjoy interrupting people and finishing their sentences for them

I talked with a friend in England on Sunday morning (3pm his time) and a friend in Australia on Sunday evening (early Monday am for him).
Both calls were like I was talking with someone just down the street. No lag time; interference or static of any kind.
The app is a bit resource hungry... so if you start doing a lot of other things while talking, the voice quality might tank for a second or two. But overall, it is really quite impressive!

I think the major things to consider before using a program like this are:

• Your systems hardware - Processor & RAM; Sound Card
• Your Connection - Dial-up; Cable or DSL; Satellite
• Your Microphone & Speakers or Headset

Dial-up is really bad for this.
Satellite will no doubt have some time lag which might be annoying.
The more RAM and faster the Processor, the better.
And good quality Sound Card and audio Input/Output are definitely a plus.

But I would have to say that for anyone with a good, relatively new system and with Cable or DSL broadband...
Skype can be quite useful. Free to other Skype users...
and it beats the **** out of typing

This post has been edited by Paracelsus: Mar 15 2005, 11:53 AM

[genaldar]

I used skype a few times recently and while it was nice I have a couple of observations.

1. since it's not full duplex it takes some getting used to
2. If you have a cellphone and would only talk to people in your home country then it's a little pointless. But it is nice to call internationally, especially if both ends use skype. If not, it's pretty cheap from what I hear.

[Paracelsus]

While I haven't checked out the International rates for calling out with Skype...
Within the US... using it to call a land line or cell # is currently 2.7¢/min (as converted from Euros).
But they don't bill. You need to set up a credit account with Skype and use PayPal to add the money in, up front. I think I'm going to try that out this weekend, just for kicks

This post has been edited by Paracelsus: Mar 15 2005, 11:59 AM

[nlinecomputers]

Anybody here use Vontage or Cable telephone? I've been looking at both. May go with cox cable where I can get digital everything for about $100. Just want to know what performance issues exist if any with them.

* Paracelsus this is a family board. Such langauge in your sig.

[Paracelsus]

It's been about two years now... but I looked into Vonage fairly deeply when I first got DSL. I was almost ready to take the plunge when a friend pointed out the potential risk of completely abandoning a land line. But I would have to say now...
If you plan on using it in addition to a land line or cell coverage (just in case your broadband ever goes missing), than it would be worthwhile checking into.

I should think that the quality of the connection would be at least as good as Skype.

Paracelsus this is a family board.  Such language in your sig.

Wasn't me, Dude! But I'll express your concern to LR... Not that he'll give a Flick

This post has been edited by Paracelsus: Mar 15 2005, 02:25 PM

[nlinecomputers]

I don't know if there is any greater risk now or not. I use DSL at the momemt and some putz backed into a telephone pole and knocked out cable and phone for 3 hours. If I been on cable and he hit the same pole I'd be just as fuc..., ur flicked, as I was then. The big issue is power but the cox modem has a battery in it so it can run with out electrical power. Just found that out yesterday when I was servicing a client using the system. Makes me want to take a further look.

[Paracelsus]

...but the cox modem has a battery in it so it can run with out electrical power.

Interesting! I wish my Verizon DSL modem had one. I think DSL can be a bit more flaky on occasion than Cable. Power can also be concern, but I didn't have a UPS when I investigated previously.
I'd say if you have a client with some real experience with it, then it's definitely worth looking into more seriously

[genaldar]

I've looked into vonage and for me it doesn't make sense. My 3 roomates and I all have cellphones, we keep the land line as a just in case. Because of that we have no features on it (caller id, call waiting, etc.) so we pay like $18 (with tax) a month, where as Vonage would be $25 (without tax). Plus we don't travel (the ability to take it with you is a cool feature though). And any long distance calling me do we do on our cells.

Cable phone on the other hand is a good option. I don't have cable tv (we're a directtv house) so it would cost a little more than our current set up (directtv, cable net and regular phone). I had a buddy who had one of those all in 1 packages from the cable company, the few times I called his apartment it sounded fine. And by getting the package he saved a few bucks a month over what we pay, but we get a heck of a lot more tv channels than he did.

If you choose one of these options you will mostly likely have to rely on one phone. I don't think vonage has expandable handsets, but if you have a wired network I think you could hook up additional handsets anywhere it reaches. Cable phone on the other hand will put the handset in whichever room the cable net connection comes in (they have some fancy splitter box). On the plus side you can use a regular expandable handset with it, but if you don't have one they're a little pricey up front ($75 or so for the main base and $25 for each additional handset).

[madylarian]

But I would have to say that for anyone with a good, relatively new system and with Cable or DSL broadband...
Skype can be quite useful. Free to other Skype users...
and it beats the **** out of typing 

I'm a new member of this forum and was directed here from another forum where I had also asked about Skype. As I said there, my husband wants to use it to call his friend in the UK for free. I'm almost convinced to allow him to install it on the laptop (it's a new one). What I haven't been able to find out yet is if it will work on a broadband connection through a wireless router.

mady

[genaldar]

As long as the wireless has a stable signal it should be fine. Since it's average throughput is faster than your internet connection is (unless your running dsl and cable ganged together) that fact that it's wireless shouldn't make a difference. But if it drops in and out all the time, that will make the calls cut in and out.

[Jeber]

I ran across this article today and thought those of you interested in Skype might find another point of view enlightening.

[LilBambi]

I heard about that too. And recently I closed Skype and found it had an open connection. I only open it when I need it.

But even though it doesn't work great on dialup, it does work great over whatever network connection you have, so we can play with it locally over our lan and it works like it would if we had broadband. I never knew it would do that. Very cool.

But I didn't like that it had that connection when I wasn't using it or hadn't made a call or anything. So I closed it. And only open it when I want to play with it.

[Ed_P]

If you choose one of these options you will mostly likely have to rely on one phone. 

I use Vonage and ran the phone wire from their adapter to the nearest phone wall jack to provide Vonage service to all the phones in the house. My brother-in-law & son-in-law did the same thing so it's definitely doable.


BTW In scrolling thru this thread I saw the name of someone who seems to be missing of late, namely Paracelsus. Is he ok?