From the a little behind the times department: Anyone use Skype? What's your experience?
I've abstained, but I've got a co-worker who lives by Skype. I've seen him walking around holding his laptop up to his ear like it was a ginormous cell phone.
Far better sound quality, like FM vs. AM, esp if you use external speakers. Ability to reach people anywhere they're on a computer (although corporate firewalls can be a barrier). Like IM services, you can see if people are available to connect, while you might be hesitant to make a phone call at weird hours. And I think it's still free, which is great for international calls.
Also, there's a video option. Another co-worker said he uses Skype to video phone his Mom in China.
I'm trying to set this up for b. I'm thinking I should just get her the Skype Pro package since she needs a real incoming phone number (SkypeIn) so non-Skype people can call her and it appears that is the cheapest way to get it. Still researching to see if that is true.
The other thing I can't figure out is whether I can redirect incoming calls made to her AT&T cellphone to her SkypeIn number. The new house in CT. doesn't have AT&T cell coverage (!) which is sort of a bummer, but this might be one way around it. Should work, I guess, since the SkypeIn number should act just like a regular number.
You've exceeded my scant knowledge of Skype.
I'll keep this thread updated then as I find out more. I have to say I'm pretty impressed by the program so far.
we've been testing it out, calling each other from one end of the living room to the other and it sounds good. heehee. I have been getting all kinds of pressure from my boss that my phone bills are way too high. I really just do not want to get a landline and want to be as flexible as possible in terms of where I am when people try to call me. All building up to what we hope will be lots of time in CT this summer without anyone really having to pay attention to where I am and how to contact me.
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- jim 2-25-2008 8:05 pm
I've abstained, but I've got a co-worker who lives by Skype. I've seen him walking around holding his laptop up to his ear like it was a ginormous cell phone.
Far better sound quality, like FM vs. AM, esp if you use external speakers. Ability to reach people anywhere they're on a computer (although corporate firewalls can be a barrier). Like IM services, you can see if people are available to connect, while you might be hesitant to make a phone call at weird hours. And I think it's still free, which is great for international calls.
Also, there's a video option. Another co-worker said he uses Skype to video phone his Mom in China.
- mark 2-25-2008 9:31 pm [add a comment]
I'm trying to set this up for b. I'm thinking I should just get her the Skype Pro package since she needs a real incoming phone number (SkypeIn) so non-Skype people can call her and it appears that is the cheapest way to get it. Still researching to see if that is true.
The other thing I can't figure out is whether I can redirect incoming calls made to her AT&T cellphone to her SkypeIn number. The new house in CT. doesn't have AT&T cell coverage (!) which is sort of a bummer, but this might be one way around it. Should work, I guess, since the SkypeIn number should act just like a regular number.
- jim 2-25-2008 9:58 pm [add a comment]
You've exceeded my scant knowledge of Skype.
- mark 2-25-2008 10:05 pm [add a comment]
I'll keep this thread updated then as I find out more. I have to say I'm pretty impressed by the program so far.
- jim 2-25-2008 10:16 pm [add a comment]
we've been testing it out, calling each other from one end of the living room to the other and it sounds good. heehee. I have been getting all kinds of pressure from my boss that my phone bills are way too high. I really just do not want to get a landline and want to be as flexible as possible in terms of where I am when people try to call me. All building up to what we hope will be lots of time in CT this summer without anyone really having to pay attention to where I am and how to contact me.
- b. 2-25-2008 10:21 pm [add a comment]