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tony barnhill

tony barnhill

Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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Some time ago, I was turned on to www.skype.com It's a good way for computer-to-computer telephone conversations & IM-ing for free...but, its also a way for a computer to talk to a regular telephone!

Well, Basil & I were just IM-ing one another & I then called Jerri at our home phone number...she & I talked for 15 minutes & the total cost was 65-cents! 65-cents from Korea to Gurley, AL! & she said it was clearer than the normal telephone system.....I purchased $10.00 skype credit through PayPal...I'll not use the entire $10 during the 2 weeks I'm over here!

I'm hyped!! & I want everybody to know about this thing....www.skype.com.....its free!! You gotta try it!! I mean, Jack Laird & I have spoken with one another computer-to-computer as have Mickey, Basil & I....but, my computer to my home telephone is the absolutely best thing I've found in a long time...at 5-cents per minute from anywhere in the world!!! If I could figure out how to buy stock in skype, I would! This is the future....

(Sorry, Basil - if I shouldn't be posting this here, you can delete it!)
 
Shoot, why not. Skype works great. All should know how to save a buck.
 
What kind of headset do you use, Tony?

I haven't had a reason to use this just yet, but like the idea.
 
I bought a cheap set from RadoShack - maybe $5 or $10....may splurge & get a real nice set while I'm over here.
 
Yep, I was turned on to Skype a while back, but now it's like "How in the World did I get along without it?" I call a friend in UK all the time! YOu can also have your very own "Skype Number." Its a very reasonable charge and allows you to have a Skype Phone number local to you. Then, if someone dials your Skype number, your Skype rings on your computer! I also have a custom voice mail for times when I'm away from my computer (Am I ever?)

Basil
 
I suppose getting my personal phone number is next...wonder how long til we all dump land lines?
 
Well if we knew what Basils skype name was we could call him.
 
Yup .. Skype is really great. We make a lot of long calls from the US to Europe and it only costs a fraction over 2 cents a minute to a land line (appreciably more to a mobile phone number) When we travel overseas it's easy to find a hotspot (Starbucks and big hotels are good bets) and use the notebook to make calls home. No more outragious calling card charges! A few times the quality has not been the best .. a bit of an echo but nothing to stop me from using the service.
 
For EBay's sake, I hope you're wrong. EBay recenlty bought Skype for - are you ready - $4.1 Billion (with a B).
 
Hi Paul,

Since Skype is VOIP, is it part of the future too? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I did check out Vonage but they want you to sign up for monthly plans and the price of international calls to where I call were .06 cents a minute compared to .02 cents for Skype. If I don't use Skype for a month it costs me nada.
Maybe I'm missing something?

Cheers,
John
 
I've been trying to use up my $10 Skype credit for the past year. I don't think it will ever happen. The rates are too cheap.


I don't use a headset. I just use the built-in microphone and speakers on my laptop.
 
Vonage good! Vonage cheap!
 
[ QUOTE ]

Excellent review on both:

https://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10442_7-6437175-1.html

[/ QUOTE ]

That was an interesting review, I'll say that. But for me the bottom line is the bottom line. They say that Vonage beats Skype for features, and has "FREE" features such as VM, Caller ID, etc. Well, it isn't free since you pay $24 per month even if you NEVER call anyone. Its like, hey, I'll charge you $100 to enter my restaurant, but the food is free! So to me, that's not Free. With Skype I can get most of the services "I want" for a small fee, and none of the services I don't want. I've had $10 worth of credits with Skype for months and make calls all over the world. I know that they say Vonage beats Skype on quality, but I've had very few issues with Skype. Most of the time the quality has been great. The one thing that Vonage has that Skype doesn't is 911 capability. Ok, I have a cell phone I can always use for that so to me its not an issue. So I guess it really comes down to individual preference and what your needs are. But for the price, I'd suggest giving Skype a try before shelling out $24 a month even if you don't make any calls. Skype also supports text chat and file transfers when talking Skype-to-Skype. (and like I said, I've had $10 in credits for several months and still have over $7 left)

And speaking of Vonage, it seems that Verizon is sueing Vonage for patent infrigement and there is (or was) a class action suit related to their IPO.

https://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/0,1000000085,39276176,00.htm
 
Does anyone have issues dialing 911 with VOIP? In a 'dispatch tracing address of call kind of way'
What if the power goes out?
Etc?

Just curious as I've toyed with the VOIP idea, but those are my concerns that Vonage or other companies can't seem to answer.
 
The main reason I switched to Vonage is I was shelling out over $140.00 per month to Verizon for phone line,fax line, and long distance. Being a 3 person household its very convienent to use our standard cordless phones.

I'm all for saving a buck, can you use standard phones with Skype, or do you have to be at your computer?
 
I'm like Basil - I like the fact that Skype is "FREE" unless I choose to spend the amount of money I have in my account...

The download is free, calling from one computer to another is free, the only time I p[ay anything is if I chose to make a call to a telephone...pretty simple!
 
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