Skype and alternatives

Posted by: Sloop John B on 30 August 2006

Mrs Sloop has asked me to set up some sort of system on her parents computer so that they can talk to their various siblings scattered around the planet.

It will be computer to computer (pc to pc really although there is one enlightened mac user in the States!). It would be nice to have visual but the most important thing would be clear audio with no lags or interference.

Is this future here now and what would you recommend?


If you can recommend a product and particular peripherals I'd much appreciate it.

Thanks

SJB
Posted on: 30 August 2006 by Willy
Have been using Skype for over a year now, both computer to computer and purchased Skype-out time as well. Pretty much trouble free and very good vfm on the skype out. Calls to mobiles in the USA at a few cents a minute and mostly clear as a bell. Also been using the video conferencing between here and Germany with good results.
Only issue I've encountered in that time was with different versions of the software not seeing each other.


Willy.
Posted on: 30 August 2006 by Bob McC
I too use Skype. I think it a fantastic piece of kit. PC to PC I've never had a problem. I have Used Skype out to a landline in China recently every day for a fortnight. It cost 1.2 pence a minute. It dropped the line on one occasion and on one occasion there was an 'echo'. Apart from that - perfect.
I also have a Tesco VOIP account. I got a free permanent number with that account £5 of credit and a phone for £9.95.
VOIP is the future, get in now!
Posted on: 30 August 2006 by Squonk
I use Skype (on windows XP) all the time to talk to the UK from Oz. The sound and picture are pretty much instantaneous - not bad over 10,000 miles.

With Skype for Mac, you cannot yet get the video. There is a beta version with video on test. I downloaded this and it did weird things to my macbook, so will wait for the offical release which cannot be too far away.

Overall I think Skype is excellent and it's free.

Adrian
Posted on: 30 August 2006 by Milan
Another vote for Skype. It is an absolute doddle to set up too. Even I could do it!

Milan
Posted on: 30 August 2006 by Seanf
I use Jajah for free calls on a normal phone between registered users in many countries.

Sean
Posted on: 30 August 2006 by Sloop John B
quote:
Originally posted by Seanf:
I use Jajah for free calls on a normal phone between registered users in many countries.

Sean


I've had a quick look at this Sean and it looks too good to be true. Firmly believing in the no free lunch rule where is the catch, where do they make their money?



SJB
Posted on: 30 August 2006 by Phil Sparks
another vote for skype, worked fine for me. PC to PC is almost too clear when speaking to my brother and both of us with 4mb broadband lines - I almost feel like there should be some crackles and hiss on the line to make me feel like I'm properly on the phone! There may be cheaper alternatives out there but Skype works so well that I can't be bothered trying them.

A friend of mine emigrated from London (UK) to the USA and set up a Skype-in London number so that her UK friends can call her for local rates and she takes the call in USA - I thought that was really cool.

cheers
Phil
Posted on: 30 August 2006 by Seanf
Sloop,

I've been using Jajah for about a month and have received no unexpected bills. Admittedly I've only used it in Germany so far but a friend of mine used it to call Mexico. The receiver was also registered so the call was free. After one hour the call was cut off and he had to redial but was still free. They seem to be on the level, the site has an open forum so it might be worth reading a few posts.

Sean