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Review by lifeactuary 
UPDATED: 34 days ago
member for 5.9 years, 38 visits, last login: 6 days ago
 Miami,Miami-Dade,FL
 $3 per month (12 month contract)
 "excellent quality, low cost"
 "none I can think of"
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I've had 5 way conversations with 4 continents (countries), Bankok, Tel-Aviv, Buenos Aries, Miami and it was like we were all in the same room. Cost was $.02/minute as only one of the participants was on a landline
Skype is my preferred calling method, better reception than my landline BellSouth provider.
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 Review by funchords
Posted: 35 days ago
member for 7.4 years, 1915 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Hillsboro,Washington,OR
$1 per month
"Secure, Robust"
"Tech Support"
 "A supplement but not a replacement for PSTN"
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I signed up because one of my quartet members said it worked very well for him. I think I've sent them a total of $20 over the past 2 years, not including my Skype-In number which I really don't use much at all.
One feature is that it doesn't use unicast or SIP, instead it uses P2P and it's proprietary. The good news is that the P2P aspect is disruptive technology to those who would like to listen in on the phone calls. The proprietary nature means you're stuck with Skype for applications and such -- but it's popular enough and its API allows for a large variety of add-ins.
As you might guess, I'm tough on bandwidth and Skype keeps working through it all.
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 Review by sirpwn4g3
Posted: 204 days ago
member for 206 days, 46 visits, last login: 1 days ago
Joplin,Jasper,MO
Contract price not specified.
 about 1 days
"Free and/or cheap, Easy User interface, Great Quality, Video"
"Charges for PC to PC calling, Must purchase additional hardware."
"Definitely worth it if you have a USB headset or Skype compatible handset/wireless headset"
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Two years ago I used Skype while it was free to call anyone. I used a USB microphone/headset designed for the Sony Playstation 2. Call quality was great, the fact that I was calling whomever from home or a wifi hotspot with my laptop for free made it even better. If you can find a cellular phone with wifi capabilities Skype is available for some, you can also use it if you have an unlimited data plan with your carrier.
I highly recommend Skype, for $3 a month you can have unlimited calling, let's see Vonage or a local telco beat that.
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 Review by supergirl
UPDATED: 241 days ago
member for 1.4 years, 651 visits, last login: a few minutes ago
Pensacola,Escambia,FL
$3 per month
about 1 days
"Cheap is a word for it"
"Really bad quality to non-skype people"
"It is cheap and Nice for Skype Users"
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I tried it. Calls to other Skype people are usually good. Just had to try it for a month.
Calls to real telephones are so-so. Most said my voice was low or I was echoing or mumbling. It was nice to have NY # though. And, I could take it with me.
I'd only recommend it for calling other Skype users (think that is free). Of course, know who you are talking to. Norton gave some warnings with it so I dumped it after a month.
I have 12/1 HSI so no problem on my end. It is cheap for a reason.
I used my headset and made all calls through the computer. Not a big fan of it unless making Skype to Skype (people in Europe mostly for me).
All in all, Yahoo Phone is better.
You can buy the good AT&T headsets at WalMart that will plug into your computer or phone for like $29.95.
Followup comments:  wombough
join:2001-08-30
Beaufort, SC | must be you I have made calls from my computer to other skype and landlines and made them from my netgear skype phone whcih is dual mode and both are clear. My skype calls on my dual mode were better then my landline on the same phone. | |
| | robertfl
Premium
join:2005-10-10
Mary Esther, FL | Re: must be you funny, it's solid here. and im on the same zone as you. check your pings and your resources. skype turns your pc to a server. thus chewing up your computer's CPU.
i don't think cox is blocking anything here in pn.at.cox.net land.
-rob | |
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Review by wombough
Posted: 242 days ago
member for 7 years, 277 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Beaufort,Beaufort,SC
$5 per month
about 1 days
"Cheap, Great Call Quality and did I say Cheap"
"none"
"Great product and at a great price"
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I tried skype with the download at first then I was so impressed I went and bought a phone to were I don't need it plugged into my computer or the computer even on. I bought a netgear DECT dual mode phone. Skype and my landline in one. The call quality is better then my landline and the delay is non existent so far. I got skype pro for 36.00 a year and a skypin phone number for 24.00 for the year. So 60 bucks for the year for unlimited calling and a phone number.
I plugged the phone into my router and signed in on the phone and was up and running in seconds. I also like that you an stay logged in on the phone and on the computer at the same time. I am very happy with it so far!!
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 Review by lordie
Posted: 243 days ago
member for 6.7 years, 650 visits, last login: 4 days ago
Sunnyvale,Santa Clara,CA
$1 per month
"cheap, good voice quality, easy installation"
"zero customer service, crappy UI"
"good enough for the money"
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It is close to ubiquitous, it is easy to install, all my friends and family have it, Skypeout is working well, and it is a good deal for the buck..
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 Review by hortnut
UPDATED: 297 days ago
member for 2.9 years, 506 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Portland,Multnomah,OR
$4 per month
about 1 days
"Easy to use and setup. Easy to make calls and take calls"
"Not a true VOIP? - requires computer running skype to use"
"Easy and cheap way to test out VOIP"
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In early 2007 took advantage of Skypeout at 50% or $14.95USDper year [used the free version in 2006] then added Skypein with my choice of a local number for $36.00/year.
Tired of using a headset, purchased a Linksys CIT200 cordless handset that plugs into recharger and a transmitter that plugs into a USB port on the computer running Skype. Works just like a landline. All the contacts are stored on the computer.
Have to have a computer running w/ Skype installed and phone transmitter plugged into USB port. Maybe not real "Green".
There was an outage this summer but the company extended term [I prepaid year in advance].
My use is for a secondary phone and since my cell is my only other phone, I use Skype during peak minutes to save cell minutes.
Current version of the software: Version: 3.5.0.239. Release date: September 19, 2007
File name: SkypeSetup.exe File size: 23 MB adds many more features that I have yet tried or even looked at [seems some are free for so many minutes per mo and cost after that and others seem to be just fluff]. Some of the add'l:
-Share videos
Add video to your mood.
-Video snapshot
Grab pictures of you or who you're talking to.
-Call transfer
Transfer Skype calls to your contacts.
Features
* Free Skype-to-Skype calls to people anywhere in the world.
* Call phones and mobiles at pretty cheap rates per minute.
* Instant message when it's not a good time to talk.
* See who you’re talking to with free video calls.
* Forward your calls and get text messages when you’re not online.
Followup comments: Amanita
Premium
join:2007-11-03
92173-1522 |  Has anyone used Skype successfully witha satelitte service?
Maybe Skype or another similar service will work better. Help please. | |
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hortnut
join:2005-09-25
Portland, OR
 ·Qwest.net
 ·Skype
 ·Comcast
| Re: Has anyone used Skype successfully witha satelitte service? Not sure if Skype would work in this situation, given the lag [latency} issues.
I checked skype forums here are a couple of threads:
»tinyurl.com/2axoky They say it should work.
»tinyurl.com/2gflkf - here they say problems due to skype taking up a lot of bandwidth - though on my DU meter when I am using skype, I have 2-5K up and same down. Thats not a lot on a 1 meg connection, me thinks.
Here another with a link to wild blue, that says they do not support voip. Though I have worked for qwest on the ISP end and there were a lot of things we did not 'support' - it did not mean something would not work, just that we as techs would not help in setting it up and troubleshoot something,
»tinyurl.com/2hs83v
Hope this helps, Since it is free I'd at least try it. I am always downloading programs mentioned in newsletters from cnet, zdnet, etc. Some of the best proggys I have are free. | |
| | Amanita
Premium
join:2007-11-03
92173-1522
 ·WildBlue
| Hortnut? I love it.......... Well I tried using Skype 3 days ago. Really, setting up Skype is just so simple, dumb simple. Just what I needed! I have many issues going on: just brought up Wild Blue, new router, ect so first attempt DID NOT work. My tech found the new D-link router to be unworkable. (and my tech is good), the omni-ant. 9dB was a joke-bad joke. Beautifully finished-but useless. The box says 1-1/2 miles (in small print-2 units together), but unit, clean line of sight died at 800 ft!
So, a new Linksys/Vonage router went in, and suddenly Skype worked fine! Very nice. Surprisingly nice. WHY? It is doing the same thing VoIP/Vonage is doing-down and up, but Skype has little latency and clear voice.
Question #1 Is it likely that the addition of a VoIP Skype telephone/USB telephone would improve matters over a headset? (I used Dragon Naturally Speaking and use very good microphone, but there may be more involved).
Question #2 I purchased the Linksys / Vonage router WRTP54G to compare its function against my old PAP2. (Unknowingly purchased, Vonage will not activate 2 phone adapters for the same Vonage telephone number.) My next step is to decommission the Linksys PAP2 with Vonage and than have Vonage activated the WRTP, to make a test. Permit my to explain the following:
The Wild Blue system is now operating reasonably well for international telephone calls made to Mexico. Mexico can call me-I can call Mexico. The voice quality is reasonably good. Latency, of course, is annoying but certainly is not unworkable. The service is particularly adaptable between parties who have accommodated to the style. Even a newcomer, told there is a "satellite lag time" quickly falls into ending his sentences with "over". It's no big deal. The sound quality is excellent-the same as Ma Bell.
However, notwithstanding the fact that the system works internationally (my experience is with calling Mexican telephone numbers only-at this point), whether I call them, or they call me, the same is not true for dialing within the United States. There is something fundamentally different.
A US telephone can call my Vonage telephone and the system works great-as above. But when I call them, what arrives at my parties end is just garbled packets-essentially my voice is incomprehensible.
Does anyone have a notion of some strategy, or do I give up?
That "next test" is to try the new WRTP and see if there's a difference. I recognize this perhaps sounds primitive to some of you here-perhaps laughable in reality.
Now, beyond that attempting is the following: At this form, in another thread, I read a conversation of skilled technical people (crackers?) discussing opening up the PAP2. To what end is? Why? Just simply to do it? Or can something be accomplished by obtaining internal access to the program in this device? Did I get this correct? Is that what is going on? Now, could such technical capacity be used to assist with my problem?
Another strategy: When I first brought up Wild Blue, in a conversation with a "willing and able" technical representative, he expressed considerable interest in our success with VoIP, leaving the telephone to discuss my situation with his supervisor. His supervisor suggested that I send Wild Blue pertinent data as to how the system was functioning and improvements, if such improvements were forthcoming.
Does this sound like so much nonsense-or do you think perhaps there is interest in successful VoIP usage among management? Might an attempt be productive to open up a dialogue with Wild Blue management, and report on progress? That is, make inquiry to see if there really is bona fide interest? Or perhaps I'm simply demonstrating my naivety. | |
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 Review by jlconrod
UPDATED: 363 days ago
member for 1 year, 5 visits, last login: 1 days ago
Concord,Contra Costa,CA
Contract price not specified.
about 1 days
"Excellent audio, very good to outstanding video, easy installation"
"Rare video freezes or line drops with net congestion, infrequent software crashes, no 911 service"
"Best free video, outstanding audio quality, superior video quality, wide feature set"
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After many difficulties with other "chat" and messaging clients, I tried Skype at the recommendation of a friend in Europe. Full VOIP service was cost prohibitive, but social and business communications were greatly enhanced with video calling using popular messaging clients. My high-speed broadband is economical only because of bundled services from my ISP (Cable TV, phone and broaband) with an extra discount for having all three services. I preferred not to unbundle voice.
However, the messaging clients were generally terrible for voice and video. IM audio was poor quality, sometimes garbled. Video quality was worse with 10-15 fps being typical, even with a new, premium web cam.
Skype seemed a reasonable alternative, worth a trial. Installation and setup of the basic, free Skype service is incredibly simple. Download the software from the Skype web site and run the installer. Skype uses your existing broadband connection. For PC based service, Skype uses your sound card, microphone, and optionally your web cam for video.
The Skype client software will prompt you to create a Skype User ID. Account setup is simple and wizard driven, so takes only a minute or two. After you login, another wizard optimizes the client for your audio (and video). You confirm setup by placing a test call to the test Skype User. The test call prompts you to record a message, automatically optimizing microphone level, then plays back your message from the test User, typically in the UK for English speaking users.
You can search for other Skype users by e-mail address and add them to your directory. The Skype client allows you to initiate live or offline Chat, or live Video call. You can also add e-mail contacts from Outlook, Outlook Express, or other e-mail and messaging applications. There is a wizard that allows you to send an e-mail invitation to contacts who do not have Skype. You personalize the e-mail, it is not a "boilerplate" message. The e-mail gives a brief introduction to Skype, includes a link for the recipient to download the client software, and, of course, includes your Skype ID to add to their Skype contact list.
The Skype client is available in about thirty different languages. You can send the invitation e-mail in any of the supported languages if you wish. (I personally have my Spanish speaking family, friends, and associates, so have used this feature).
Within the U.S. you can even make free PC to landline (POTS) phone calls.
Free Skype Plug-ins allow you to add mailto: connections or contact telephone numbers to use Skype. There are plug-ins for browsers, Outlook or other contact list and address book software applications. Third party plugins have not proven as useful or reliable as those that are Skype-certified.
There is a large selection of Skype compatible or Skype certified headsets and other accessories, though virtually all audio/video PC accessories will work I have not investigated Macintosh or Linux options.
Even the free Skype client has the best audio call quality I have experienced for web-based calling. Generally, video quality is also exceptional, but sometimes degraded if there is severe network congestion.
Skype offers numerous Business and Premium services. These are widely used in Europe. Single account users with a premium plan can have single number calling. Skype premium services add voice mail and the ability to have an incoming call ring simultaneously on POTS, PC Skype clients, mobile (cell) phone number, office or business line, or an alternative phone line. Business clients can have multiline service with secure, web-based "PBX" type services including account setup, adds - moves - changes, call forwarding, call tree voice messaging, call management and call routing.
Other premium services (all at very reasonable prices) include conference calling, either audio or audio-video, as well as multi-person Chat, and many others.
There are Skype clients for mobile phones, as well, for Windows Mobile (5 or 6) and Java, that let you use your existing mobile phone with your Skype ID.
Skype customer service and technical support has been outstanding in my experience. Even in the recent "worst case scenario" when the Skype network was unavailable for two days, Skype staff kept users informed by e-mail, frequent updates on their web site and blog, and through the media.
Rarely have I been as thoroughly satisfied as I have been with Skype. I highly recommend it.!
Skype web site: »www.skype.com
Attached images and files
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 Review by NJxxxJon
Posted: 1.6 years ago
member for 2.8 years, 824 visits, last login: a few hours ago
New Egypt,Ocean,NJ
Contract price not specified.
"CHEAP!!!!QUICK SETUP!! WAS FREE FOR A YEAR!! SOFTWARE EASY TO USE."
"quality kinda sucks, I want a 609 # on skypein- not some random one, Ive yet to find a skype phone to match my taste!"
"Skype > Verizon > PAYPHONES."
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Yes yes. Its 10 am and skype rocks. Easy to use software. Setup took no time at all. [I suggest using the free year if they EVER offer it again] I took the 17.99 a year deal on this and its good. Plugged up a cheap wallo mart USB phone and BAM! Calls on the first hour to friends. (headsets are OKAY) About 2 out of 1002202 calls get dropped. The line quality echos like a mofo though...and the program may NAZI your sound card (turns things down sometimes even when you tell skype NOT TO CONTROL your windows volume.) If you want to try this PM me.....As far as I know skype may better better in years to come and the features are always being tested. Skype is a good company and is coming out with an internet TV too....so lets see!
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Review by pwog66
Posted: 1.6 years ago
member for 1.6 years, 0 visits, last login: 1.6 years ago
Utica,Macomb,MI
Contract price not specified.
"normal skype is working"
"skypein is down 4 days"
"slow and no voice support for skype"
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Skypein # are busy 24 hours, cant leave a vm either?
Followup comments:
jlconrod
join:2007-08-29
Concord, CA
·Skype
|  Skype outage feedback
Skype Logo | 
My Skype ID | 
My E-Mail |
 The outage lasted less than two days for me. FYI, I kept updated through the Skype web site, especially the "Skype Heartbeat" status page and the Skype blog.
»heartbeat.skype.com/
While there is not traditional phone in support, I have had extremely prompt, knowledgeable and useful responses from Skype technical support, sometimes in less than one hour.
Of course, "your mileage may vary - YMMV", but my experience with Skype has been exceptional. I just posted a review of Skype. It is probably in the VOIP forum.
Hope you find these comments helpful.
John
--
Great tech advice: "Don't Panic"
--from the late, great, Douglas Adams (Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy)
Sent from Concord, CA, USA on Astound Broadband 6 MBps | |
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