Skype?

[mrs.chappie]

Please could someone give me some advice about Skype, eg how to get started with it, how to set it up etc.

Thanks very much.x

[Ethel]

Skype does many things.

I use it all the time as an Instant Messenger (like the MSN thing);
I use it to make free web cam calls to my friends on Skype
I use it to call landlines - you have to pay in advance, like pay as you go
I have a skypein number so landlines and mobiles can call me
I have my mobile phone registered with it, so I can send texts to mobiles from my pc - 5p per time.


You can use it with the mic and speakers on your pc (unsatisfactory); with a combined headphone / mic set (very good); with a cheap usb 'phone' (very good) or a more expensive telephone that connects wirelessly to the router so it works exactly like the telephone even when the pc is switched off.

I am such a big fan of it because my interent is not telephone dependent - I don't have a landline at all, saving me a small fortune.

[mrs.chappie]

Many thanks for that, Ethel.

Our situation is this: My husband has been away on a course and he took our laptop with him to do his computer work. I have rung him on his mobile (or he has rung me) most evenings. We have run up quite a big bill.

So we wondered if we could use Skype instead of using the mobile phone. I know we would need to get 2 headsets/microphones.

I guess he would need a dongle as the wi-fi connection at the college is very weak. (Never heard of a dongle until I saw you refer to one on here).

I am looking into it for the next time he goes away on a course, but I'm not particularly good with the computer and wondered if it would be reasonably easy to set up and use.

Thanks very much lass.x

Oh, just thought ..... please could you tell us something about dongles?

TIA.x

[Ethel]

I have had just one experience of dongles - bad. I bought it to work in a specific place, but that place had no coverage. I did get my money back.

Three friends of mine have dongles, and they all give me very good reports. One ha a slingbox at home so she can watch her own tv and recorded programmes on her laptop whilst she is away - the speed is usually, but not always, fine for that.

I would recommend Skype for your needs - it would cost you nothing except the handset/headset.

This is a typical handset:
http://www.lambda-tek.com/componentshop/index. pl?origin=gbase18.2&prodID=B94513

I haven't used one so don't know if they are any good.

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks again Ethel.

Do you think we would be able to set it all up ourselves?

[Ethel]

Oh yes - it is very easy.

In fact download it now and we can try the instant messaging.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup /learnmore/crawford_02october21.mspx

[Ethel]

Ha! Wrong link, sorry

http://www.skype.com/intl/en-gb/download/skype /windows/

[mrs.chappie]

Okay lass, I'll give it a go now!

[legendis.god]

chappy you can also pay a fixed amount i think 3 quid and get unlimited calls to landlines in a country of your choice .im sure there will be a fair use policy , but still for 3 quid you could choose the uk and calll friends and family on their house phones.
i use skype regularly.

i send texts on it for a few cents to the uk instead of 30 cents on my moby.when on holiday or in a cyber cafe you can use it too .a bvery good idea.

the headsets can be bought even from the poundshop .so it costs ext to nothing really .


dth?

[Ethel]

It's �2.24 per month for unlimited calls within the UK

[Ethel]

That does include VAT but only applies to proper geographical numbers.

0800 is free, but any 087 or 084 is very expensive with Skype