Some basic questions about SKYPE
Aug 7, 2010 | 3:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 866
Some basic questions about SKYPE
I had tried Skype many years ago and promptly abandoned it mainly because it screwed up my laptop, always auto-started (and I was unable to stop it from loading at start-up) and hogged resources.
After so many years have passed, judging from Skype's popularity, I presume the software has improved and these problems are no longer there? Am I correct or wrong?
PS. If I were to try it again, I will be installing it on a Vista laptop
After so many years have passed, judging from Skype's popularity, I presume the software has improved and these problems are no longer there? Am I correct or wrong?
PS. If I were to try it again, I will be installing it on a Vista laptop
Aug 7, 2010 | 4:12 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Seniors Bus Pass
Posts: 5,563
Give it a go. It is fine and pretty bug free after so many releases!
You can set an option of whether you want it to start up with the computer.
Do set the privacy settings. My advice is to "my contacts only", or you might get spam messages!
I have it installed on an iphone 3 and 4, XP netbook, Vista 64bit desktop, Vista 32 bit desktop, and two XP pro/Vista dual boot laptops and a Macbook pro and there are no probs with any of them. So thats pretty bug free to me
You can set an option of whether you want it to start up with the computer.
Do set the privacy settings. My advice is to "my contacts only", or you might get spam messages!
I have it installed on an iphone 3 and 4, XP netbook, Vista 64bit desktop, Vista 32 bit desktop, and two XP pro/Vista dual boot laptops and a Macbook pro and there are no probs with any of them. So thats pretty bug free to me
Aug 7, 2010 | 5:49 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 154
Definitely try it again. I have it on my netbook and iPhone for a couple of years. I use it all the time when I am overseas. When I get to a hotel, I plug my Skype Phone into my netbook and I can make all the calls I want to back to the states. It is easy to use and the call quality is excellent.
In fact, two years ago I was in Lenox, MA. I had to cell phone service. Thankfully, I had Skype so I could make all the calls I wanted over the internet.
In fact, two years ago I was in Lenox, MA. I had to cell phone service. Thankfully, I had Skype so I could make all the calls I wanted over the internet.
Aug 7, 2010 | 10:28 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,621
Some of the linux releases are pretty buggy, but if you stay away from those and use Windows or Mac OS, you'll be fine. The interfaces have also significant improved since it was first introduced; me thinks it's now much easier to use. I've yet to have an issue with it on my Nexus One as well.
Aug 7, 2010 | 11:15 pm
#6
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 866
Aug 8, 2010 | 6:07 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Seniors Bus Pass
Posts: 5,563
If you check on the Skype website it has the rates for calls using SkypeOut.
http://www.skype.com/intl/en/prices/
You put some credit into it and then make calls. You can have it auto-topup when the credit falls below a certain level.
It is much cheaper than international calls, especially international calls to mobile calls.
I also find the Skype To Go facility useful. It gives you a landline number in your own country, which is covered by your inclusive minutes mobile phone package, and it then routes the mobile call to your destination number using VOIP. When calling mobile to international mobile the rates can be excessive, but this is one way to considerably reduce the costs.
http://www.skype.com/intl/en/prices/
You put some credit into it and then make calls. You can have it auto-topup when the credit falls below a certain level.
It is much cheaper than international calls, especially international calls to mobile calls.
I also find the Skype To Go facility useful. It gives you a landline number in your own country, which is covered by your inclusive minutes mobile phone package, and it then routes the mobile call to your destination number using VOIP. When calling mobile to international mobile the rates can be excessive, but this is one way to considerably reduce the costs.