Skype
Apr 27th 2007 | 10:06 am
#16
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,020
Re: Skype
There are a lot of cheap telecom options out there too, so if you are calling regular landlines across the Atlantic you can dial through someone like Discount Dial. Their current rate to Canada is 0.5p per minute.
For PC to PC calls there are also other options such as a FWD account or Sipgate (which also link your account to a regular UK landline number).
Rob
For PC to PC calls there are also other options such as a FWD account or Sipgate (which also link your account to a regular UK landline number).
Rob
http://callchecker.moneysavingexpert.com/
gives you a bunch of different options. International phone calls are cheap enough these days that no-one should need to worry about the cost or have to resort to more cumbersome options like using your computer.
Apr 27th 2007 | 10:11 am
#17
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,402
From: South of Calgary
Re: Skype
If you "upgrade" to Windows Live messenger here : http://get.live.com/messenger/overview
You will be able to make phone calls to other PC users, calls to landlines (if you really want to) or video calls all using software that will be familiar to you.
HTH
Apr 27th 2007 | 11:05 am
#18
Thread Starter
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,125
From: Cheshire England
Re: Skype
If you already use this why bother with Skype
If you "upgrade" to Windows Live messenger here : http://get.live.com/messenger/overview
You will be able to make phone calls to other PC users, calls to landlines (if you really want to) or video calls all using software that will be familiar to you.
HTH
If you "upgrade" to Windows Live messenger here : http://get.live.com/messenger/overview
You will be able to make phone calls to other PC users, calls to landlines (if you really want to) or video calls all using software that will be familiar to you.
HTH
Apr 27th 2007 | 11:17 am
#19
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,153
From: Ontario, Canada
Re: Skype
This page is useful:
http://callchecker.moneysavingexpert.com/
gives you a bunch of different options. International phone calls are cheap enough these days that no-one should need to worry about the cost or have to resort to more cumbersome options like using your computer.
http://callchecker.moneysavingexpert.com/
gives you a bunch of different options. International phone calls are cheap enough these days that no-one should need to worry about the cost or have to resort to more cumbersome options like using your computer.
Apr 28th 2007 | 1:07 am
#21
Slightly Canadian
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 10,146
From: St. John's, Newfoundland
Re: Skype
I use Skype both at home and work. I can honestly say that using a webcam to videoconference via Skype has transformed my aged parents 'coping with No 1 Son moving to Canada' experience.
The ability to conduct face to face calls for free at any time seems to provide a great deal of comfort, which is a great thing for us both.
For home use we have a $10 clip on microphone and webcam & use the computer speakers for a handsfree experience. This seems to work OK for Skype to Skype but not so well for Skype Out (Skype to Landline) calls. For these I use a headset & the laptop.
The ability to conduct face to face calls for free at any time seems to provide a great deal of comfort, which is a great thing for us both.For home use we have a $10 clip on microphone and webcam & use the computer speakers for a handsfree experience. This seems to work OK for Skype to Skype but not so well for Skype Out (Skype to Landline) calls. For these I use a headset & the laptop.
Apr 28th 2007 | 6:11 am
#22
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 344
Re: Skype
I agree AX- my Skype has me keeping in great contact with all my relatives. Lovely to see people talking to you on the screen. It has made a big difference.
Apr 28th 2007 | 9:32 am
#23
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,250
From: Lethbridge AB
Re: Skype
I agree with Liana and AX
SKype is my lifeline to Phil all those thousands of miles away
Gay
x
SKype is my lifeline to Phil all those thousands of miles away
Gay
x
Apr 29th 2007 | 9:42 am
#24
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,385
From: Black Creek, Vancouver Island since December 2012
Re: Skype
I use both Skype and MSN live for daily contact with my brother Graham on Van. I. Sometimes one connection is better than the other, especially calling my youngest brother Pete, in Grenada.
The webcam slows things down a bit when chatting with Pete sometimes so that the live picture is in fact a few minutes behinds what's happening, but it's great to see them as well as hear them.
When Pete is in Canada in the summer, he sometimes takes the webcam off the computer to the window, and pans it around to show me the progress in his garden. Fun to be able to have that live picture as well as the chat and all for the cost of the headset and webcam!
The webcam slows things down a bit when chatting with Pete sometimes so that the live picture is in fact a few minutes behinds what's happening, but it's great to see them as well as hear them.
When Pete is in Canada in the summer, he sometimes takes the webcam off the computer to the window, and pans it around to show me the progress in his garden. Fun to be able to have that live picture as well as the chat and all for the cost of the headset and webcam!
