FREE Skype!

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: TGregg
So when you guys use Skype, can you hear the other person when you are talking? On my system, it's half-duplex. When I'm talking, Skype doesn't send anything to my speakers until I stop.

I don't know what your solution is but yes, I can hear while talking.

 

[TGregg]

Originally posted by: jjsole

I don't know what your solution is but yes, I can hear while talking.

Dang. OK, thanks for the help.

 

[Devistater]

Originally posted by: TGregg

Originally posted by: jjsole

I don't know what your solution is but yes, I can hear while talking.

Dang. OK, thanks for the help.

I'm not sure, I'll have to try that particular thing. I'm guessing it would depend partly on a couple things. For instance, is your soundcard capable of duplex? Can it play and record at once? (you can test it by trying to record something playing from your speakers.
Another thing would be, is either end on dialup (if you do pc-pc, if its pc-phone then are you on dialup)? I think skype switches to half duplex on low bandwidth connections.

 

[Jawadali]

I Tried calling my own phone number and it worked. The sound quality is very good for a PC-to-phone application.

Would there be any way for someone to call you back if you were to call them using Skype? I'm thinking of getting a budget PocketPC just for this for college, so that's why I was wondering about this.

And for those who are using this with their PocketPCs, how is it working out? Does it work well with lower-end PocketPCs (I know the minimum specs say 312mhz and PPC 2003)?

 

[Duddy]

Does this work with the Windows Mobile client?

 

[Devistater]

Originally posted by: Jawadali
I Tried calling my own phone number and it worked. The sound quality is very good for a PC-to-phone application.

Would there be any way for someone to call you back if you were to call them using Skype? I'm thinking of getting a budget PocketPC just for this for college, so that's why I was wondering about this.

And for those who are using this with their PocketPCs, how is it working out? Does it work well with lower-end PocketPCs (I know the minimum specs say 312mhz and PPC 2003)?

Yes, you can pay skype for a phone number in your area code (I think about $3 a month).

Or there's alternatives, I think at least one is mentioned in this thread that should be free. Stanaphone or some such.

 

[Jawadali]

Thanks for the info. The call-out functionality is more important, but I'll look into the other call-in alternatives.

 

[c627627]

Originally posted by: ActuaryTm

Originally posted by: c627627
Thank you. But all I could find using that link are monthly subscription fax services.

$10 a month is not a good deal if you send a few pages every month or two, if that.

You might look at MaxEmail.

Relatively inexpensive, excellent customer service, and offers a free trial.

Thank you, ActuaryTm. Three 10 page internet to fax faxes for free during 30 day trial. I suppose it'll come in handy in emergencies.

Too bad all reasonable internet to fax services need monthly subscriptions...


EDIT: Actually, it appears http://www.net2phone.com/ has some sort of PC2Fax software at 10 cents a page.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Devistater

Originally posted by: Jawadali
I Tried calling my own phone number and it worked. The sound quality is very good for a PC-to-phone application.

Would there be any way for someone to call you back if you were to call them using Skype? I'm thinking of getting a budget PocketPC just for this for college, so that's why I was wondering about this.

And for those who are using this with their PocketPCs, how is it working out? Does it work well with lower-end PocketPCs (I know the minimum specs say 312mhz and PPC 2003)?

Yes, you can pay skype for a phone number in your area code (I think about $3 a month).

Or there's alternatives, I think at least one is mentioned in this thread that should be free. Stanaphone or some such.

Correct it's called SkypeIn and costs $36/yr for unlimited incoming calls with FREE voicemail.

I've had a SkypeIn phone number for a few months and love it.

$3/mo for unlimited incoming phone calls with free voicemail :thumbsup:

http://www.skype.com/products/skypein/

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Correct it's called SkypeIn and costs $36/yr for unlimited incoming calls with FREE voicemail.

I've had a SkypeIn phone number for a few months and love it.

$3/mo for unlimited incoming phone calls with free voicemail :thumbsup:

http://www.skype.com/products/skypein/

Just want to reiterate the positive comments left by Ross above. Have been using SkypeIn (in fact, now have multiple numbers) since the summer of 2005 with great success. Currently, SkypeIn is offered at a yearly rate for ? 30, and three months rate of ? 10 (appears they've done away with monthly pricing?). Depending on the exchange rate, it typically falls at or near $30-35 per year.

One caveat: unless your area code offers exclusively local numbers (like many NYC area codes), be certain to check if the exchange of your prospective SkypeIn number will be a local call for others in your area if you plan to have many local parties calling in.

A simple call to your local phone company should net a list of local exchanges in your area code.

 

[Jawadali]

Thanks for the info and the tip. $30 per year sure beats paying $30 per month for a cell phone bill (don't have a cell phone yet, but that seems to be the average price for a typical plan).

 

[knightc2]

Originally posted by: TGregg
So when you guys use Skype, can you hear the other person when you are talking? On my system, it's half-duplex. When I'm talking, Skype doesn't send anything to my speakers until I stop.

I think there is a FAQ ro troubleshooting guide on teh Skype site to help with voice issues. I had some trouble when I set it up on my laptop a long time ago and had to tweak a few settings.

I got one of my friends to set it up last night and he loves it. He called me back on my cell with Skype and the call quality was better than his land line!

 

[RACER]

sweet...

 

[Snipersheep]

Hate to engage in thread necromancy, but today's woot (5/29/06) is 2x Atcom AU-100 USB handsets that will work for Skype, at $17.99 + $5 s/h.