Skype

Full review
Last month, my 75 year old father had back surgery. The surgery went well, but he had some complications related to the anesthetic. Unfortunately, he's still in the hospital, but doing somewhat better. I feel better knowing that my dad is doing better than he was a few weeks ago. Thanks to Skype Online Service, I'm able to get regular updates on his condition from my mother without having to spend an arm and a leg on phone bills.

What is Skype?

Founded in 2003, Skype is software that allows people to make phone calls over the Internet. The software, which is free to download and available at www.skype.com, also includes features such as instant messaging, video conferencing, file transfer, and a message service. Customers can subscribe to SkypeIn, SkypeOut, or SkypePro. SkypeIn allows users to receive calls on their computers dialed from traditional phones. SkypeOut, which is what I use, allows users to use their computers to call other computers, landline phones, or cell phones. SkypePro is Skype's all in one deal, which includes a SkypeIn number, free in country calls, and discounts on Skype accessories.

Currently, Skype is compatible with Windows 2000, XP, Vista, and Windows Mobile, as well as Mac OS X and Linux (32bit by 86). Skype also produces its own mobile phones called Skypephone and other companies produce phones that can access Skype via a WiFi connection. Skype's Web site can be translated in a whole slew of languages, ranging from English to Turkish.

To use Skype, you must download and install the program on your computer, buy Skype credit, and have speakers and a microphone connected to your machine. Alternatively, you can use a headset with an attached microphone or a phone that is set up to use Skype.

How much does it cost?

Calls to other Skype users are free of charge, while calling a regular landline or cell phone costs a few pennies per minute. Currently, using SkypeOut, it costs me about 2 cents a minute to call my parents in the United States from Germany. That's a far cry than what I used to spend calling my parents when I lived in Armenia. I still have bad memories of the obscene phone bills I used to rack up for the shortest phone call-- about $70 for fifteen minutes. Now, I can talk for a half an hour for 60 cents! In Germany, SkypePro costs two euros a month.

Paying for phone calls is simple. You set up an account and use PayPal or a credit or debit card to buy Skype credit. Skype credit can be paid for using a number of different currencies. Although I live in Europe, I pay for SkypeOut using American dollars. When I need to buy more Skype credit, I can buy it in $10 or $25 increments. My first $10 purchase lasted about four months before I needed to buy more credit. Of course, I don't tend to make a lot of phone calls. Again, calling other Skype accounts is free of charge; likewise, it doesn't cost anything to call toll free numbers. That makes it very handy when I need to call businesses back in the States.

Is it easy to use?

In a word, yes. I find it easy to enter the phone numbers for people I call the most. They're presented in a list on my Skype account. When I want to call someone, all I have to do is click on the green phone icon and the program dials the number. It rings just like a regular phone rings. When my husband calls my computer, I'm alerted by a special "ring". I click on an icon to "pick up" and voila, we can start talking.

Quality

Generally speaking, I've always been a big believer in landlines. I rarely use cell phones because I think the sound quality often leaves a lot to be desired. I was pretty skeptical about Skype, but I've found that most of the time, I'm very pleased with the sound quality of the calls I make. Every once in awhile, there's a problem with lagging, echoes, someone's voice getting cut off, or the people on the other end of the call not being able to hear me. In my experience, though, these problems are pretty few and far between. Of course, for 2 cents a minute, I can deal with a couple of echoes.

One aspect about Skype that I love is the ability to use it for teleconferencing. My husband travels a lot on business. He always takes his laptop computer with him and, as long as he has access to a broadband Internet connection, he can call me. His computer is equipped with a Web cam, so when he calls me, I can see him. It's like having one of those Jetsons era videophones!

Drawbacks to using Skype

First off, you need a broadband Internet connection to use Skype. Secondly, Skype cannot be used to make emergency calls. Some people have also complained about Skype's customer support, but I have not personally had any problem with it. Unless you have a cell phone or cordless phone that is Skype compatible, using Skype means that you have to be by your computer. And finally, Skype is not available everywhere...yet.

Overall...

I'm a believer when it comes to using Skype. It's great to be able to keep in touch with my parents while I'm living in Europe, especially since my dad has been so ill. Admittedly, I pretty much only use Skype to call my parents and allow my husband to call me when he's on the road, but I do think it's a great tool, especially for people who live abroad. It's dirt cheap and the sound quality is surprisingly good, especially considering how cheap it is.

www.skype.com