Keeping in touch
 

Hi all

So my start date in Dubai draws nearer (Nov 11th) people here at home ask more and more if I'll stay in touch with webcams etc.

Well I've been saying that "of course I'll set up a web cam as soon as I get there and we'll be able to chat", then I thought, actually I don't know what the form is regarding broadband connection speeds, VOIP etc. I'm sure it depends on locations in the city.

Is skype available? I heard a rumour that it may not be, but a friend who came back earlier this year said that she had skype calls without a problem.

Any clarification gratefully received and apologies if its been discussed at length previously.

TIA
Tarkers

Re: Keeping in touch
 

Hi Tarkers - I'm moving there on the 16th November. A friend of mine who works with Skype said that we can definitely get it so I'm in the process of ordering a webcam now.

Re: Keeping in touch
 

Tia,you can still webcam on MSN...

Re: Keeping in touch
 

I am in Dubai Internet City and can access Skype. I think if you are in a freezone then you can access it. Facebook is also a good way to keep in touch and share piccies and videos.

Re: Keeping in touch
 

If he already has Skype installed on the pc, he can use it...I think...

Re: Keeping in touch
 

Good to know

Re: Keeping in touch
 

Skype to Skype works, though it can suffer from the poor bandwidth and latency from the networks here.

SkypeOut works if your internet provider is Du, but seems very hit and miss with Etisalat. There was also a time when one couldn't access the Skype website with Etisalat, not sure that's true now. I've been able to add credit to my account from work (Etisalat line) anyway.

MSN seems the most reliable chat program. Etisalat doesn't get on very well with the others.

Re: Keeping in touch
 

This all sound very complicated :o

Re: Keeping in touch
 

Ok, ok...

Du:
It's all fine, for now anyway

Etisalat:
Using skype to call someone else who is also using skype is fine
Using skype to call an actual phone doesn't work very well
MSN works
Yahoo messenger, AIM etc don't work well / at all

Better? ;)

Re: Keeping in touch
 

Much better, you must be a man? :lol:

Re: Keeping in touch
 

Except on Fridays..

Re: Keeping in touch
 

close!

Re: Keeping in touch
 

Much more of this, I'll get a reputation...

Re: Keeping in touch
 

you already have...

Re: Keeping in touch
 

Oh dear... in mitigation it has been a bad day cos my new TV broke after being on for only five minutes... guess it didn't like BBC World...

Re: Keeping in touch
 

That is the least of your worries...

Re: Keeping in touch
 

You will need to have skype downloaded onto you PC or onto a memory stick and have your user ID registered before you arrive here as you won't be able to access the Skype Website. This means that you also won't be able to log on to purchase SkypeOut Credit.

Skype PC to PC works fine.
Skype to phone doesnt work.

However there are easy ways to get around this problem which I'm sure some nice people on here would be able to help you with if you asked nicely!

Re: Keeping in touch
 

Ouch... now I'm in trouble...

Re: Keeping in touch
 

Name and shame time...what make/model is your TV and where did you buy it?

Re: Keeping in touch
 

It's an LG 32LC7R, and it came from Jacky's in Ibn Battuta. Strange, because LG TVs aren't usually so flaky.

But I've been waiting two days for a technician to come round just to agree it's broken and get a refund / replacement. Threatening them with a chargeback on my credit card is the only thing that's got them to do anything... (even though it's probably illegal here :sneaky: )

Re: Keeping in touch
 

All,
Many thanks for all your responses, looks like in conclusion:

I need skype on my pc before I go.
Skype to Skype is fine
Skype to phone is patchy/not good
MSN Live messenger for webcams
Freezones are ok
bandwidth can be patchy at times.

I'll make sure I have everything in place before I go and that my family and friends are already setup too.

Cheers
Tarkers

PS Typical, absolutely gutted for you, there's nothing worse than getting a "shiney thing" home, straight out of the box and for it not to work - or possibly worse still for it to work for a little bit - give you a taste of what you've been mising - THEN for it to go on the blink! These days there should be no excuse for poor quality from a mainstream manufacturer, regardless of where it was bought.

Re: Keeping in touch
 

For anyone into heavy internet usage, I'm convinced it's really worth seeking out a property serviced by Du. I hope the freedom they give lasts!

Thanks for your words Tarkers - the technicians have now convinced themselves that it's faulty, taken it away and promised to deliver a new one in "2-3 days". Man, I miss UK consumer law.

Re: Keeping in touch
 

I think DU is targetted towards the non-Muslims...

Re: Keeping in touch
 

maybe soon they will keep providing the freedom but you have to prove you're not muslim to sign up for it.

googletalk works well out there as well, i use this to speak to friends out there all the time... although you can't call normal phones on it

Re: Keeping in touch
 

Usually the smell of ham coming out of the emails is overpowering...

Re: Keeping in touch
 

How does one go about proving that one is non-muslim? Would it be sufficient to eat a bacon butty in front of three male witnesses?

Re: Keeping in touch
 

no that would just show you've seen he light! the holy grail known as the bacon buttie :D

Re: Keeping in touch
 

needs to be with brown sauce though...

MM, xx