76766337
join:2004-09-26
Riverside, IL
1 edit |  reply to christcorp
Re: Skype now $29.95 a YEAR unlimited calls
These are brand new phones, competition will rapidly bring down the price.
What you are missing is the quality component of Skype. Skype is not like using Vonage, SunRocket, ViaTalk or Packet8. Skype is Wideband VOIP or HD voice. It is as if you are speaking with someone in the same room. Once you experience the quality you will be spoiled.
Here is a link, »www.voip-info.org/wiki/view/Wideband+VoIP
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What the world needs is more geniuses with humility. There are so few of us left. Do not be be hectoring or arrogant. Those who disagree with you are not necessarily stupid or insane. Nobody needs to be described as silly;let your analysis prove it. |
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christcorp
Premium
join:2001-05-21
Cheyenne, WY
 ·Bresnan Online
 ·VOIPo
| Yes, but there in lies the perception. I am very familiar with pots and also as a video junkie, the phenomenon known as HD. For many people, HD television/movie/dvd means absolutely nothing. They've watched it, mentioned how great it looks, yet don't care whether they have it or not. They are just as satisfied with their 19" television and SD video. They know HD is better, but they don't care. Matter of fact, there have been a lot of articles recently where HD isn't being received as well by the masses as many had hoped.
I believe the same is going to happen with telephone. MOST people don't spend hours a day on the telephone. The average phone call is under 10 minutes. Many of those calls are non-recreational. They are for the purpose of exchanging information. People don't care as much about fidelity as you want to believe. As long as the phone is dependable, affordable, and the information between callers is easily understood, the average person will be happy.
Skype may have a lot of users, but how active those users are is debatible. Many are in network users. Until recently, skypeIn and skypeOut wasn't quite available. I wouldn't say that skype currently is a major threat of competition to other voip providers, ma'bell, or cable phone services. Maybe someday. When skype becomes completely free standing, without any pc requirements, and can be done without spending hundreds of dollars for a non PC phone, then maybe they will be something I would look at.
The fidelity issue is a non issue. While I definitely enjoy HD television over SD, I don't care about a higher quality sounding call. I couldn't give a hoot. Packet8, VoipO, Voicestick, and even Wengo have more than enough voice quality to satisfy any call I make. They are all better then cell phones and are very close to equaling any pots line. VoipO is very close. Reliability, dependability, and service are more important to me. Definitely as long as a PC is required; No, I'm not going to spend $200 on a Skype phone; then Skype is definitely not an option for me. Not worth the trouble. Later.... Mike.... |
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76766337
join:2004-09-26
Riverside, IL
3 edits | You remind me of my grandfather. He was the President of a small bank and in 1959 I asked him if he planned to buy a copier from Haloid Xerox. His answer was, "Never! As long as people can use carbon paper they will never use a copying machine". The rest is history.
Skype has been around for a long time, millions of people throughout the world use it on a daily basis. One day, you too, will throw out your carbon paper.
P.S. SkypeOut has been available for 2 and a half years.
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What the world needs is more geniuses with humility. There are so few of us left. Do not be be hectoring or arrogant. Those who disagree with you are not necessarily stupid or insane. Nobody needs to be described as silly;let your analysis prove it. |
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RockyBB
Premium
join:2005-01-31
Longmont, CO
| said by 76766337  :You remind me of my grandfather. that's not fair and you know it. christcorp didn't say others shouldn't use Skype -- just that it wasn't for him. And he gave rational reasons, instead of stoopid comments like "it sucks." It's too bad, though, as I would like to know his unbiased (though now there might be a negative bias) evaluation of the sound quality relative to the other VOIP providers that he has. |
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christcorp
Premium
join:2001-05-21
Cheyenne, WY
·Bresnan Online
·VOIPo
| reply to 76766337
I guess it's a matter of perspective. I consider a phone system that relies on your PC being utilized as less advanced and less useful than a self contained system with it's own processor power.
You do have a tendancy of reading what you want into people's posts. No where did I say I would never use it. Matter of fact, the post prior to your misguided assumptions, I specifically stated that when Skype evolves past it's dependency method and high cost alternatives, that it would be something I would look into.
The most important thing about this thread is that for some people, Skype is a great option. My question for you is; Skype is obviously not the greatest thing since sliced bread. If it was, and you love it so much, then why do you continue to have such a passion for SunRocket? I've always said that no one provider, skype included, can be all things to all people. Skype isn't of use to me, so it doesn't matter if you tell me that it's "HD Quality Voice". Even if it were true, that is irrelevent. Skype doesn't fit my needs. Just like SunRocket doesn't fit my needs. Just like Packet8 doesn't fit George's needs. And the list goes on.
Please, enjoy your Skype. Those who love AOL, I hope they enjoy it. I use to be big into "Ham Radios". There are still those who believe that if there's ever a world wide disaster, that they as ham radio operators will be the world's salvation. That's great too. Maybe some older technologies need to be kept for some rare future use. The point is; everyone has their likes and what fits their life. Currently, skype isn't it for me. Maybe when it changes, but not now. Later... Mike... |
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christcorp
Premium
join:2001-05-21
Cheyenne, WY
·Bresnan Online
·VOIPo
| reply to RockyBB
You are correct Rocky. If I had the time, Skype might be something fun to look into. As I mentioned, I have had a lot of experience with some of the other similar technologies like Dialpad and other softphones. Any form of Softphone is just not something I really want to get into. Probably because I have no need for such a thing. But who knows, maybe some day. Then again, maybe someday Skype will make a free standing system that is expandable and doesn't cost over $200. Until then, a PC version just isn't in my plans. Later... Mike... |
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CBLMorphis
join:2001-02-25
Riverside, CA
 ·AT&T Yahoo
| I have been using Skype for about a year now, and can ensure you its been great.
In some cases better then my POTS line.
I have never been disconnected, loss of quality, and everytime I call someone its very clear.
Thinking about getting in on this one. 
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Like My DSL!!! |
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RockyBB
Premium
join:2005-01-31
Longmont, CO | reply to christcorp
aww, c'mon Mikey. it's still free for a few more weeks. you've got the stuff. download and try a few calls and let us know... You might be like the Mikey in the old Life cereal commercial -- if you try it, you might like it! |
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christcorp
Premium
join:2001-05-21
Cheyenne, WY
·Bresnan Online
·VOIPo
| Sorry brother, just don't have the time. Matter of fact, I haven't even finished up the asterisk server I was setting up just for fun. At least I decided to put everything on hold for a bit. I'm leaving the end of next week on a cruise down to Mexico and Belize. No internet, no phones, no work, nothing for 10 days. It should be fun. Christmas day diving the coral reef. Oh well, it's been almost 4 years since I've had a real vacation. (Meaning one NOT to go and visit family). Getting burned out I guess. Too much fun. LOL!!! Later... Mike.... |
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RockyBB
Premium
join:2005-01-31
Longmont, CO | It's a whole other world, outside Wyoming. Keep your eyes open for all the dudes by the pool with laptops, with softphones, using Skype! Enjoy your holiday! |
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christcorp
Premium
join:2001-05-21
Cheyenne, WY | Yea, it's definitely different away from here. Having lived and worked in 14 countries, Wyoming definitely seems more layed back. Later... Mike.... |
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redshift
Premium
join:2004-03-23
Beverly Hills, CA
1 edit | reply to christcorp
LOL...
no offense but if you post religiously on a forum, have time to test out voipo you surely have a little bit of time to test out skype! I am really curious now what you will think of it.
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"So this is how liberty dies. With thunderous applause." |
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MJimLay
aka FlexBaud
Premium
join:2004-10-06
Beach Haven
clubs:
·Cox HSI
| reply to Agrajag
I just installed this on my SmartPhone... I thought it would be interesting. Sure enough, I love it and I made a call using EDGE and it sounds just like a regular cellular call! I was amazed!
However, The program barely installed on my phone because of the limited space, and it didn't run well, the calls were choppy and I could access menu's as they were very slow. Lots of CPU Usage I guess.
Plus, It was coming out of the speaker phone which I didn't like. If it came out of the regular ear piece it wouldn't have been bad.
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The Only Flex Baud Rate! |
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pabster
join:2001-12-09
Waterloo, IA
·Mediacom
| reply to christcorp
said by christcorp :I guess there's some folks who still are die-hard fans of Skype and swear by it. Then again, there's some people who believe that AOL dial-up/broadband and their email/IM service is the greatest thing since sliced bread. "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do". LOL!!! Later... Mike.... Um, Ok. Show me another service that provides anything close to Skype for a price anywhere close. I won't be holding my breath...
$30 a year for unlimited outbound is a steal. And the current $14.95 is a hell of a deal. So what SkypeIn is another $38 a year. That is less than $70 (under $6 a month) for full service. |
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Nate425
Premium
join:2005-02-03
Charlottesville, VA
clubs:
| said by pabster : That is less than $70 (under $6 a month) for full service. Only my opinion here, but I'd much rather pay the $30 more (during a buy one get one year free deal) and not be tethered to the computer or to a skype add on , plus everything else that has already been mentioned. |
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pabster
join:2001-12-09
Waterloo, IA | Get a clue.
I use Skype Wi-Fi phone as well as Linksys Skype Phone. Both allow me to use Skype WITHOUT A PC. I use it all the time, I am NOT TETHERED to a PC. Your argument makes no sense. |
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Nate425
Premium
join:2005-02-03
Charlottesville, VA
clubs:
| And you obviously don't read very well.
I said I don't want a skype add on...Let me break that down for you..make it easier to understand maybe. I don't want to buy anything extra to use skype.
It wasn't an argument, I clearly said it was an opinion...you sir, need to "get a clue". |
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kyramilan
join:2006-11-26
Pensacola, FL | reply to pabster
I'd Hate to see Vonage's Stock Price in a few hours and days. On Amazon.com, you can get the Linksys Skype Phone for $59 and the Wi-Fi phone for $159. Just using the callout feature is pretty awesome. |
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ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium
join:2005-03-14
Putnam, CT
clubs:
·VOIPo
·Metrocast Communic..
·AT&T DSL Service
·ViaTalk
| reply to Nate425
said by Nate425 :And you obviously don't read very well. I said I don't want a skype add on...Let me break that down for you..make it easier to understand maybe. I don't want to buy anything extra to use skype. It wasn't an argument, I clearly said it was an opinion...you sir, need to "get a clue". LOL Nate425!
That's my whole point with Skype. Tried it once, sounded good but I really don't want to purchase yet another phone just to use it away from the house.
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"A religious war is like children fighting over who has the strongest imaginary friend."
Have you been touched by his noodly appendage? »www.venganza.org/index.htm |
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christcorp
Premium
join:2001-05-21
Cheyenne, WY
·Bresnan Online
·VOIPo
| reply to redshift
said by redshift :LOL... no offense but if you post religiously on a forum, have time to test out voipo you surely have a little bit of time to test out skype! I am really curious now what you will think of it. You are correct. In theory, there is no reason in the world I shouldn't be able to find time to try it. Maybe after the beginning of the year. As pointed out so much better than me by others, there are still too many drawbacks to Skype that it definitely lowers my motivation to try it. I don't want a PC based phone. I don't want to pay $160-$250 for a Non-PC based phone. I don't want a non-PC based system that only allows 1 phone to be used. I think these are common points echoed by many other people. It is very possible that Skype has a very good quality sound. That's not always enough for people to want to use it. Also, outside of this thread, there's a lot of people who do use Skype that don't think so highly of it. I guess I just need to find the motivation to want to try it. Having to try it out with a headset and mic is not very motivating. I gave up on that technology years ago. We'll see what the future has in store. Later... Mike.... |
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