The converse is more problematic for most Skype users. Other users/applications on a busy network steal bandwidth from Skype. Then your voice drops out, then your call ends and you get the fabulous Skype raindrop noise. That's the signal for you to switch to a more reliable form of telephony. Or buy a router with QoS support. Or a WAN optimization device. But then you need more luggage...

A SkypeIn question... my wife calls me from our home phone while I am travelling, say, in Europe. Assuming that my laptop is on and connected to the internet, how does Skype signal an incoming call... does my laptop just ring like a regular phone? I also assume that I have to actually have to be connected and online with the internet, not just laptop powered up but not connected, correct?

Correct. Skype just plays a sound file that sounds like a ringing telephone. It also has a little pop-up notification where you can accept the call.

Have you tried it already? Just download the program and try if you like it. It is very intuitive to use. If you don't like it, uninstall.

SmilingBoy.

Oh, I plan on downloading and trying it... just want to try to understand as much as I can first.

Thank you for that tip! ^

Allanf

videoconferencing
 

Has anyone used the videoconference feature across the Atlantic? I have in mind full videoconferencing with cameras between four persons (1 in Germany, three in Canada), each having broadband access. In particular, will (would?) a laptop with a wi-fi connection struggle to process the data stream?

Has anyone ever tried any one of the Unyte Sharing applications?

Thanks for answers/comments...

Well, I did a one-person video conference from Italy with a friend and with my mom (separately). It worked quite well for me, and my wireless connection was marginal. Skype seems pretty good about reducing the quality of the video depending on the signal quality; frame rate may be reduced, image more compressed. I've made video calls using some pretty poor wireless connections. I'll bet if you try it the quality is better than you think.