kiwijetpilot

Well after a year of resisting, I recently downloaded skype (www.skype.com). I had thought it was full of spyware or other malware, but it turns out it is clean. It installs easily, all you need is a microphone and some speakers.

Anyway, I have been trying it out and have found that the quality and clarity of calls to Europe is superb. best of all, it is essentially free - the basic service is free, the add-ons will cost you money though, and as you are using your internet connection and not your phone, the cost is whatever your internet connection costs.

It has to be the best tool out there for communicating with the mother country on the cheap, and I recommend it to all expats. I have no connection with skype and absolutely nothing to gain by recommending it, BTW.

My skype username is kiwijetpilot, so if anyone wants to chat rather than type, I'm online a lot. Maybe hear from some of you!

debnjohn

Yes, I agree. The quality from between UK and Oz is on a par with a normal telephone conversation (I'm on broadband, my mate in Perth is on dial-up). I use Messenger for the video, with Skype running alongside for the audio, as it is much faster than the Messenger audio. I'm hoping Skype are going to do a free video service as well.
John.

Biddy

I'm sorted!
Mike Biddiscombe

kiwijetpilot

You also appear to be banned!

Biddy

Banned - moi!

Sparkle2nite

Biddy, if your in the potting shed, shouldn't that be spelt 'hoeing'?

kiwijetpilot

Hmmm that was quick, your sins must have been minor!

Change your skype picture!

Biddy

Done.

Sega Mad

Hi

We're on as username Segamad.

I went on Skype some time ago on the recommendation of one of my Aussie mates. We never got to talk on it because of the time difference and he and I were never online at the same time. I did get called by some Italian guy who couldn't speak English and I couldn't speak Italian. That was a bit of a non starter. I must say the sound quality was great. I was utterly unclear with perfect clarity!!!

Regards

sky

We have Skype too, we call rellies and they call us all the time. There is sometimes a time delay cos we are all on dial up but the sound quality is like they are in the room with you really great. Nothing like the telephone and the best bit is it's free!!!

kiwijetpilot

Tried to add you to my contacts but Skype doesn't seem to know who you are! Are you sure about that username?

sky

I had that trouble and my rellies in the UK had to add me to theirs first

Pinkie Pie

Ok, total numbnut here..what sort of microphone do you need then??? I have registered too btw..you have no idea how many pinkie pie's there are on skype!! I've had to be Pinkie1212 but don't call me until I find out what sort of flippin' mike I need!! Heeellllpppp me someone please!!!

debnjohn

Any microphone with a mini-jack plug for the pc connection
Laptops will have them built in.
I used to use an 'expensive' headset (approx £30). But I now have the sound routed through the hi-fi speakers (can hear someone 'calling' me throughout the house) and I use a swan-neck microphone from 'Poundland' - gives exceptionally clear results!
Cheers,
John

kiwijetpilot

The sort that plugs into your computer!!!

Unless of course yours has one built in.

If not, take a fiver and head down to PC World and get a cheap boom mic, or if you are feeling wealthier, a headset. your local ASDA probably sells them, or Comet, or Currys/Dixons etc.

Plug it in to the appropriate socket on the back of your PC (or front if you have a fancy PC).

Actually this is a bad idea... with your message count, Skype will be overloaded for sure once you start talking to people...