Skype Internet Phone Service

What is Skype? Skype is a little piece of software that lets you make free calls over the Internet. With their free software, a microphone and speakers, (or a headset) users can make superior quality voice calls to other Skype users for free and to landlines and mobiles worldwide for the price of a local call.

Skype has already had over 100 million downloads of the software, and they claim to have over 33 million active users. Because Skype is free to download, easy to setup and is generating lots of interest, I guess those numbers aren't a surprise

The Skype software is available for Windows, Linux, Mac OS X and Pocket PC platforms. The calls, chats and file transfers work between all kinds of computers.

Unlike most VoIP services, you can use Skype with a dial-up connection (33.6 Kbps modem or faster) But, if you do any web surfing, file sharing or emailing while on the phone you may get noise or delays in the voice communication.

The software automatically encrypts calls, chats and file transfers before sending it through the internet so no-one can intercept your call, text or file transfer. And - Wonder of Wonders - it’s completely free of advertising, too. Almost a miracle these days, especially for something that's free.

  Available Features:
Once you have downloaded the software, the Skype basic FREE services include:
* Calling landlines and mobiles within the US and Canada Until the end of 2006
* Calling other people who also use the Skype software
* Video calls on Skype
* One-to-one and group chats
* Conference calls (up to 5 people)
* Forwarding calls to other Skype names

Additional Services you can get for a small charge:
SkypeOut - SkypeOut lets you call landlines and mobile phones around the world at local rates.
SkypeIn - SkypeIn gives you a personal number so that friends can call you on Skype from their old-fashioned phones, wherever you connect around the world. A SkypeIn number comes with free Skype Voicemail.
Voicemail - Skype Voicemail lets you pickup messages when you’re offline, away from your computer… or just ignoring people.
Headsets, webcams and more
    * See the Skype website for the current prices and any other promotions.

I found the software very easy to install and use, and the call quality is as good as any "normal" phone I've ever used. Even on a long distance PC to PC call, there was nothing to complain about except that it was a little annoying using the PC speakers and mic, I'll definitely be getting a set of headphones in the near future.

The Skype website has a lot of user help and guides - everything we needed to help us, from downloading and installing the software, to setting it up and making the first call... they also had some guides for chatting, adding a picture, (?) and even translating Skype and using different languages, (which I've not tried to use yet).... as well as a huge categorized "knowledgebase" for all kinds of questions.

I've just added up the last six months of the long distance charges to call my parents, it averaged $12.15 a month. Now that they are using Skype too, in two months I'll have saved enough to get a good headphone/mic set.

The Downsides: You're tied to the computer. Not too bad if you don't mind sitting at the computer while you're on the phone... Personally, I'm the type who paces all over when I'm on the phone, so I find it a little difficult to not make up an excuse to finish the call before I normally would.

It does take a little while to learn the software - if you have a lot of general computer experience, it'll be a snap, since the user interface (the 'Dial Pad') is really intuitive... but if you're really new to the whole computer experience, it may take up to thirty minutes to learn the Skype software.

To learn more, and see their current promotions, visit their website -
  Skype Store USA
  Skype Store Europe

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