Skype - Any good?

[xssiveone]

Has anyone used/heard of the Skype program. Check it out here if you haven't: Skype. I haven't tried it yet, but am thinking about it. Apparently, it's a free phone service from PC to PC, and you can purchase a package to allow calls from PC to landline.

I think I even read something about video calls being an option. Might be an option for those late nite carb sessions..

Any comments and opinions appreciated.

[JWSanders]

I've had a SkypeIn/Skypeout account for about a month now. Can't say I've used it all that much, as my cell is still my main phone. I haven't had a dedicated land line in 5 years or more.

What times I have used it worked well. It pays to get a USB phone (or POTS converter) to work with it (<$10 on ebay), as using a PC mic and speakers can give feedback to the person you're talking to. I've even used it on my laptop through WiFi at a Krystal. Worked great.

Hard to beat $55/year for a unlimited use phone number. It will go up to around $70/year after January. You can pay by call (around 2cents/min) with skypeout as well. I dont make many calls, so that's likely what I'll do when this term expires.

If you register before Jan 31 you can get Skypeout for $15/year!

If any of you do happen to register, use "wessanders" as your referrer...I can get bonus points or something.

[UncleSpot]

I've been using Skype for about 6 months.
My youngest daughter lives in Spain; this is a GREAT way to talk with her AND see her. We use it with either DSL or Clearwire so there's not much time delay - I sure wouldn't use this with a slow system! I wouldn't want to use this as my only phone connection though... it's just "not there" yet IMO/IME. but for what I use it for it's GREAT!!!!!!

[The Lorax]

I used it for a while, I installed it yo use as a PC telephone while I was in India. I had a cell phone while I was there, but I found that using the cell as an ISP was almost free....approx. $0.25/hr. anyway, skype didn't work all that well for me and I could not get the video to work at all when overseas, worked ok in my living room, but not over there. I had better luck using windows live messenger, it worked fairly well as a videophone, there was some delay, and there were some tracking issues with the camera, but all in all, I was pleased with my ability to see and talk with the wife and kids from the other side of the globe. by the way, India is roasty in the spring time...100 degrees F / 34 Degrees C by 11:00 am daily, and I was kind of in the northern part of the country. I would not liked to have been in Chennai...I would have melted...up north, it was at least a dry heat. only felt like 90.

[slow mo]

skype

i use skype and msn-live here in Canada and i find they both work ok ,but at times no picture at one end but i still hear the conversation ,,its a really good deal for free! ride safe ,,slow mo!

[XS1100 Newbie]

I have used Skype for a few years, and i love it. It works fine for me. I no longer pay the money for the phone usage, just talk to all on Skype itself. Don't use the video part.

[xssiveone]

Thanks for the replies on this. I've been using it for a while now and am pretty pleased with it.

On another note, I also use MagicJack. Call anywhere in North America for about $20US a year. Had a daughter move about a 1,000 miles away and this is a great way to keep in touch.

[jwhughes3]

I use both

I began using Skype to video chat while mobilized overseas a couple years ago. Tried their SkypeIn number for local number wife could call and talk to me if I was online but eventually dropped it. Use it if traveling overseas on an iTouch to call stateside for next to nothing.

MagicJack I bought as an office line. Cheap. Almost as good call quality as Skype but not quite. Depends on device used. Advantage here is Voicemail and a text/email if you miss a call.

Just renewed.

J