Anybody have Skype?

[TLSnell1981]

I am trying find info on Skype. Does anyone have it? Is it really free? If so, what can you tell me about it?

 

[momrek06]

WE DO!!!! Yes, it is completely FREE!!!! My DH was offered a FAB position in CA and we grabbed it BUT it meant leaving my life in New England. Leaving all my family and friends. SKYPE has been awesome. We have it on our computer and all my family back home have it on their computers. We schedule times to all talk...usually Sunday evening.

We experienced with a few cameras and ended up loving the MICROSOFT LIFECAM 3000 - VX. = $39.99. Staples has them.

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-68A-00001-LifeCam-VX-3000/dp/B000EVM5DK

We had purchased a more expensive camera by Logictech for $69.99 and hated it!!!

 

[TLSnell1981]

Do you have any of the extra services? Is it free for International calls....as long as the also have Skype? What about receiving calls from non Skype members?

TIA

 

[bicker]

As far as I can tell, they charge for calls to/from non-Skype terminals.

 

[ford family]

As far as international calls are concerned, yes they are free, both audio and video links.
We use it all the time when we are in Florida to talk to our children back in the UK. It is a good service. We don't use it for non Skype calls because we have unlimited calling plans both in the UK and in the US.

ford family

 

[lewdyan1]

We use it whenever work takes DH to Dubai. It's a wonderful service!

 

[GJM]

My DH is deployed and this is how we talk. He has an area code for where we live. I can also call him and leave messages. He works really well, the connection is great.

 

[Green Tea]

I use it, but mainly just for the text message like part talking to my child at college. We've done a video call twice which was neat, and free. He walked around with his laptop and showed me things.

 

[floridafam]

My brother has Skype. We have isight on our computer and use ichat. Is there any way we can communicate with him or would we have to get Skype?

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

Phone calls are only free to other Skype accounts. You have to pay for phone calls to regular land lines (or cell phones), but the fees are very minimal. We use it to call our luddite friends, and only pay 2 cents a minute from Chile to Canada. I charged my account using Paypal a couple of months ago with $10, and it still hasn't run out. I was very excited to find it, since my first phone bill in our new house was over $300 - I didn't realize that it would cost be $1.50 a minute to call Canada (I was only paying $0.10 a minute from Canada to Chile, so I thought it would be relatively comparable).

It's amazing how much more you get out of a call, though, when you can use the video features! It really does make you feel like you're more connected.

 

[Tinijocaro]

My brother has Skype. We have isight on our computer and use ichat. Is there any way we can communicate with him or would we have to get Skype?

I use iChat too with iSite, and have video chatted with a neighbor who is on a pc with no skype. I would think that you could chat with anyone who has a camera.

 

[Mom2Nick]

Do you have to buy a microphone too?

 

[skuttle]

We've used Skype to video chat when I'm away for work and it works great. I think DS, though, is always more interested in watching the video of himself than of me! DH and I both have MacBooks and it has a camera and microphone built in.

 

[islandmum]

Skype is free between skype computers. The call fees from our Skype to UK landlines and mobiles is about 0.2 cents a minute, $10 lasts me months!

we have a built in webcam and mic on the laptop and we also connect up the laptop to the surround sound so everyone can hear if they want. It was great last christmas when we Skyped my parents in the UK and they watched and heard the kids opening their presents and were sharing in the opening celebrations!

I also use a Phillips plug in Skype phone which I bought in Walmart for $30 when its just me using the Skype. Its a regular small portable phone with a USB cable that plugs in your computer. I find it gives much better mic sound from me on the Skype.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Thanks!! I wanted to make sure I hadn't missed anything. I'm off to download now!!

 

[Imzadi]

Phone calls are only free to other Skype accounts. .

Just reiterating, it is ONLY free between 2 Skype computer accounts. If you want to call a landline number, like the pizza joint down the street, you need to pay. Plus, you will need an actual phone number, so they can call you back if there's a problem, (assuming you don't want to give out your cell phone number, if you have one.)

If you call some place, like customer service, if you need them to call you back, you need a phone number other than your cell, if you do not have free minutes, as these calls always take forever.

If you have to leave a phone number for someone to get back to you, unless you are willing to sit by the phone all day, you need voicemail. Voicemail is also good to have even when talking to your computer buddies, or you will always have to coordinate times ahead of time, to be at home to Skype each other, as they can't leave a message.

Skype charges about an extra $8-10/mo if you want to include a phone number & voice mail features. Those fees aren't advertised upfront. You really have to search for them, to find out all these extras you have to pay for, if you want them.

 

[momrek06]

Do you have to buy a microphone too?

we have a built in webcam and mic on the laptop and we also connect up the laptop to the surround sound so everyone can hear if they want.

DH & I have DELL's in which we mounted the camera...BUT DS has a MacBook and the webcam and mic are built in. The beauty of the MacBook is there are NO wires. I used DS' MacBook to walk all around our new home when we arrived in SoCal and was able to show my Boston family the entire place!!!!

Yes, as others have said SKYPE is FREE between two skype customers.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Okay, I'm all set....ready to go.