Re: anyone use skype to eep in touch at home
 

I bought linskys cordless phones, they are good but you have to have your computer on all the time, when we were in canada in may they have stand alone skype boxes with cordless phones for $80. This means you use your computer to set the thing up and once its up and running you can leave you computer switched off,Skype is then always on!!:thumbsup:

Re: anyone use skype to eep in touch at home
 

Cool. I'm still not planning on using it in Canada anyway. Just here.

Re: anyone use skype to eep in touch at home
 

Ive used skype and Vonage in the past. I like to think I know a bit about VOIP and I would like to share it to hopefully help people as best I can.

Basically, you have 2 options - a "mobile" approach or a "fixed" approach. Now technically, there both mobile... but ill explain the best I can. Hopefully it will help some people find out what they need.

So, when I use the word mobile - what I actually mean is that there is no additional hardware needed apart from an active internet connection. When I say fixed - I mean there is additional hardware which is needed (free from most VOIP companies)

The first thing you need to decide is which you want to use. The mobile versions (like skype, msn messenger etc) tend to be less reliable in terms of call quality (dropping out over time) but they are free to use. You could be in an airport or cafe and connect to a wireless network - and make a call without any problems. Some of these providers (like skype) do offer a payment option which will result in you being able to make calls to other landline numbers and not just other skype users - they also CAN provide additional hardware (eg handsets) to make using skype easier - but always remember skype is primarily a mobile solution. (sorry about any spelling)

The fixed solutions (like vonage) offer a more "professional and reliable" service. They send you out a VOIP router (which looks a bit like a network switch or DSL modem) however they have 2 ports on the back for telephones. The idea is you plus your regular telephone in the sockets on the back of the VOIP switch and when you make or recieve calls - they go through the vonage network. I know from experience that vonage also provide a "soft phone" which you can also use in the same mannor as you would with skype. A soft phone is software which you install onto your PC which when started looks like a phone - you enter your vonage account details and it can be used just like the phone back in your house - to make and recieve calls.

Pro's and Con's of each:

Skype (and other free VOIP options)
GOOD:
- FREE to use (whoooooo!)
- Optional addons - including voicemail plus, get a phone number, etc
- Great savings on international calls compared to regular phone provider
- Mobile: You can use it anywhere there is an internet connection

BAD:
- Sometimes call quality can drop
- Only free to other skype users
- Restricted: You would need to leave a internet connected PC on at all times at home to 'wait' for any incoming calls.


Vonage (and most other dedicated VOIP providers)
GOOD:
- They give you the VOIP switch for free
- You choose a phone number which you want
- Ability to add aditional phone numbers in different countries/cities
- Use of free soft phone software so you can use it like skype
- Tend to have better call rates as those of mobile providers (like skype)
- Call quality tends to be more reliable
- Only VOIP switch needs to be left on - you DONT need a PC to use it

BAD:
- They charge a monthly fee

That is just the basic things I can think off the top of my head. However I'll just finish off with 2 senarios to hopefully help a little more and let you decide which is best to suit your needs.

Senario 1:
Canadian trucker, always on the road (or most of the time) using a laptop to connect to the internet at various truck stops/cafe's wants a cost effective way to make calls to UK friends and family's phones. Some of those family members are skype users some are not.

Best option:
The skype package. However, with a payment to allow you to call landline or mobile numbers. This will let you get in touch with those who have skype for free (and leave voicemail if there not online) and also contact those family members who don't have skype or a PC by calling there landline.

Senario 2:
Canadian trucker (again I know!) but this time he has a family who stay at home in alberta while he works away wants to keep in touch with his family back in alberta - but also his friends and family back in the UK from newcastle.

Best Option:
Get a monthly vonage package. They will send you a box you plug into the wall at home. When the trucker is on the road he or she ca use the free soft phone to call home for free no matter where he is. He can also call other vonage users no matter where they are in the world for free. However, being with vonage, he had the option to get an additional phone number on the account - and being the clever pupy he or she is, they choose a landline number from newcastle in UK (starting 0191). This means anyone from back in newcastle will pay a local rate call - and the vonage system will put it through to there house phone (in canada) and the phone in the truckers home will ring as normal. Also, if the trucker is using the soft phone - he or she will have the option to answer the call as the computer will also ring. (if he or she is connected to the internet at the time)

I know I could have probably typed all this out a little easier to read - and im very sorry if some parts dont seem to make sence. Please just re-read it and it will sink in. Hopefully my reply should be able to help which option suits your needs.

Links:

Vonage UK:
www.vonage.co.uk
Vonage USA:
www.vonage.com
Vonage Canada:
www.vonage.ca

Skype:
www.skype.com

Re: anyone use skype to eep in touch at home
 

3G is all about the bands as well. It's just that, since 3G is newer and GSM is good enough for roaming, many 3G 'world phones' still only support one or two bands for 3G.

Re: anyone use skype to eep in touch at home
 

HappyDJ - Senario 2 (although not a trucker) is exactly what I have done and it works out great!

Ian :)

Re: anyone use skype to eep in touch at home
 

Hi,

Im pleased - yeah thats the route ill be going down also.

Glad its working out for you

:o)

Re: anyone use skype to eep in touch at home
 

I've used Skype for an experimental video meeting using a webcam and it worked out fine. I'm looking for a better webcam with microphone and optical zoom. Anyone got any suggestions ?

Re: anyone use skype to eep in touch at home
 

:thumbup:

Re: anyone use skype to eep in touch at home
 

Yep - agree 100% with your addons... can't remember everything! lol :p

Re: anyone use skype to eep in touch at home
 

You can also put skype on your mobile and connect through your wirless system at home this is even better as you dont even need a computer on and just talk normally on your mobile for free to any other skype user in the world:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Re: anyone use skype to eep in touch at home
 

We use the Microsoft one here that cost $39 a few weeks ago at Staples...works fine, but make sure you have it running off the main computer in the house...in other words don't have it with a laptop or other computer that is not hard wired into the internet....even within the house, we got poor video and poor sound from a computer that was not hardwired into the internet....the computer with hard wiring into the interent got good sound and video.

Re: anyone use skype to eep in touch at home
 

never thought about that, we use a wireless laptop, so that could be interesting, does anyone know if the wires are the same over there, plugs on the end. :confused:

Re: anyone use skype to eep in touch at home
 

They are the same, you would still nead a router to connect to though

Re: anyone use skype to eep in touch at home
 

Yes they have plugs on the end :rofl::thumbsup:

Re: anyone use skype to eep in touch at home
 

are you sure about the plugs on the end sir?????????????? :eek: