OT: Using Skype - Anyone on the boards currently doing this??

samspop

My wife and I are going out of the country in a couple of days, but are looking for a less expensive way to call back home and was hoping someone out there has gotten pretty proficient with using Skype?

Can I get some info from someone that has used it?

Thanks in advance!

41GoudeyGuy

We had a couple of German teenagers staying with us last month. They Skype'd home every day and got to video chat with their folks for nothing. Pretty good deal.

HockeyAutoCollector

We use Skype to stay in touch with multiple family members throughout the States. We never used it overseas so I don't know if that would be any different, but we have found it has been extremely easy to use. Just need a camera and microphone if you want to do video and set it up. The connection is not the greatest at points, but it gets the job done.

hotmush

My brother and his wife live in Sweden and during my son's birthday, we put our laptop on the table and they ate dinner with us via skype. Pretty great (except for the time change). Also, my brother set it up through skype for a nominal fee, he got a local phone number here in Toronto. So when we call him, we call a local number and they pick up (if his laptop is on, of course).
EDITED TO ADD: I just found out that Ebay used to own skype until a couple of days ago when they sold it to investors. Big mistake, IMO. Especially now that you can use skype with your cell phone to broadcast from anywhere.

storm888

WalMart

US Robotics Starter Kit

I think I paid paid less than $15 for the phone; included 100 Global SkypeOut Minutes.

The kit includes all you need to get started.

The sound quality on mine is "ok." Maybe a more expensive phone would sound better.

There are quite a few service levels, but I only have the SkypeOut package. Outgoing only.

I run it on Laptops. It works on NetBooks and Desktops.

.......

For regular walkabout phones, I prefer GoPhone, but it is more expensive than Skype.

Skype is compatible with several cell providers, but not all; details at skype.com.

....................

EBAY found a buyer for Skype this week. EBAY retained 35% of Skype and collected
about $2-Billion. First half-decent luck JD has had.

SoFLPhillyFan

I use the video calling feature every day for about an hour. Quality is not bad. Sometimes there's a glitch or two. Hey, it's free and much better than what used to be available.

It's great for those who travel a lot and want something more than a cell phone call home very day.

bumpskier

There was an interesting article in the Sunday NYTIMES about new options other than SKYPE. With some of these other options you don't need to use a computer or have access to high-speed internet, but can use the SMS feature of your cellphone. Here is a link to the article:

http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/18/calling-home-for-even-less/?em

pswebauctions

Skype is free computer to computer. Calls from Skype to a land or cell line are 2.1 cent per minute (plus a 6 cent connection fee). It is a great tool for staying in touch as long as you have a good internet connection. If the connection is poor, you may not get video but at least you can get voice. I use it often when I travel overseas.

rbdjr1

If its good enough for Oprah, well you know!


rd


P.S. TRUE STORY: I was playing in a poker tourney in China, of all places. I booked my hotel room, airfare, etc. for a 10 day stay. If I made the final table, I would have to be there 10days! I got knocked-out "day 4", and wanted to go home early. Trying to call Continental Air from China turned into a nightmare for me! Called what was Continental Air China, to make the changes, was next to impossible.

Finally, a fellow poker player from Europe had his laptop w/ Skype. So he allowed me to call good olde Continental Air in the States! I explained the "madness" I was going through here in China trying to change my return flight. The Continental rep took $75 from my credit card, issued me a new ticket. Got the hotel to go online and print my new ticket. That was that! Left China the next morning!

Thank you Skype!