Skype

**V-Unit** · 05-19-2006, 03:42 AM

Skype is nothing short of an amazing program. At first when my mom suggested I get it I was skeptical. Next thing I knew I was talking to my friends in Italy while surfing the web, for free!

There are other more expensive options but I strongly suggest the program to anyone who is interested.

**DarrinNelsonguy** · 05-19-2006, 03:45 AM

Sounds great and I will definately check into it.

**BadlandsVikings** · 05-19-2006, 04:04 AM

That sounds cool. I need to look into it.

**singersp** · 05-19-2006, 04:25 AM

"cajunvike" wrote:

"snowinapril" wrote:

"cajunvike" wrote:

"snowinapril" wrote:

It is built in for PC users with Windows 2000 or XP. I don't think it is Mac friendly yet.

I am not sure on the 2000, but I know that it is definitely XP for the web cam.

The phone service w/o the cam is for all computers and operating systems.

Is the web cam Skype service FREE?

From computer to computer it is free with the video. You could even conference multiple people in at the same time.

Yes, the video is a free service.

From computer to land line phone it is free until the end of the year to anyphone in the US and Canada.

What are the equipment requirements for web cam service? If it's not too expensive, I might just buy a whole setup for my parents and for myself so that we can enhance the phone conversations that we have (I don't get home often and this would almost be like sitting around the living room and chatting...especially if we could wire the feed through the television...which I think would be possible).

Why wouldn't you just use two web cams & Yahoo or MSN messenger with voice?

**singersp** · 05-19-2006, 04:30 AM

"snowinapril" wrote:

"cajunvike" wrote:

Can it be set up to be like a picture phone (using web cams on both ends)...if so, I would love it.

Yes, if you have the web cam it is built in to the program already.

Google: skype

or skype.com

I don't have the web cam yet.

This is the web cam Ned & I have. So far I love it.

QuickCamÃ‚Â® Orbit MP

**cajunvike** · 05-19-2006, 05:20 AM

"singersp" wrote:

"cajunvike" wrote:

"snowinapril" wrote:

"cajunvike" wrote:

"snowinapril" wrote:

It is built in for PC users with Windows 2000 or XP. I don't think it is Mac friendly yet.

I am not sure on the 2000, but I know that it is definitely XP for the web cam.

The phone service w/o the cam is for all computers and operating systems.

Is the web cam Skype service FREE?

From computer to computer it is free with the video. You could even conference multiple people in at the same time.

Yes, the video is a free service.

From computer to land line phone it is free until the end of the year to anyphone in the US and Canada.

What are the equipment requirements for web cam service? If it's not too expensive, I might just buy a whole setup for my parents and for myself so that we can enhance the phone conversations that we have (I don't get home often and this would almost be like sitting around the living room and chatting...especially if we could wire the feed through the television...which I think would be possible).

Why wouldn't you just use two web cams & Yahoo or MSN messenger with voice?

Which one is better? Does either work in real time?

**YogidAbEAR** · 05-19-2006, 05:27 AM

it's called voip in canada. weird

**Benet** · 05-19-2006, 11:08 AM

"YogidAbEAR" wrote:

it's called voip in canada. weird

Short for Voice-Over-IP.

A friend of mine has set up his own VOIP phone number that runs through his internet connection, works amazingly well as long as you have decent bandwidth, which he does.

I never installed Skype cos my microphone is still wrapped up from when I moved out of university, but it certainly seems like the best way to call people now. If I wasn't so lazy I would set it up today.

**singersp** · 05-19-2006, 12:09 PM

"cajunvike" wrote:

"singersp" wrote:

"cajunvike" wrote:

"snowinapril" wrote:

"cajunvike" wrote:

Originally Posted by snowinapril

It is built in for PC users with Windows 2000 or XP. I don't think it is Mac friendly yet.

I am not sure on the 2000, but I know that it is definitely XP for the web cam.

The phone service w/o the cam is for all computers and operating systems.

Is the web cam Skype service FREE?

From computer to computer it is free with the video. You could even conference multiple people in at the same time.

Yes, the video is a free service.

From computer to land line phone it is free until the end of the year to anyphone in the US and Canada.

What are the equipment requirements for web cam service? If it's not too expensive, I might just buy a whole setup for my parents and for myself so that we can enhance the phone conversations that we have (I don't get home often and this would almost be like sitting around the living room and chatting...especially if we could wire the feed through the television...which I think would be possible).

Why wouldn't you just use two web cams & Yahoo or MSN messenger with voice?

Which one is better? Does either work in real time?

I'm not sure, but Ned & I chat that way often thru Yahoo. MSN has had it for a few years. It works in seal time, but there is a brief delay of a second or two.

So can can someone with Skype answer the question:

Why, if in fact it is, would Skype be better than Yahoo with voice or MSN with chat?

**Benet** · 05-19-2006, 12:15 PM

"singersp" wrote:

I'm not sure, but Ned & I chat that way often thru Yahoo. MSN has had it for a few years. It works in seal time, but there is a brief delay of a second or two.

So can can someone with Skype answer the question:

Why, if in fact it is, would Skype be better than Yahoo with voice or MSN with chat?

I'd assume something to do with the fact that with Skype you can call landline phones and use the existing technology there for free, which would mean, in theory, free phone calls all over the world. With something like Yahoo! or MSN Messenger, you have to get both parties online, make sure the software matches, your peripherals are compatible with the software and maintain certain bandwidth between each other or you'll lose your connection.

All you need for Skype is one guy with a PC with Skype on it, and a landline.

(This coming from a guy without Skype, purely based on assumptions. I'd also like to see someone with Skype talk a bit about it. As I said, a friend of mine set up his own London number through his VOIP address, and he says that he can take that number with him all over the world and it would only cost someone like me local rate to call him, where ever he is in the world regardless of whether he's in London or not. But he's a MAJOR tech-geek so I have trouble understanding a lot of what he says).