|
|
Post by kaima on Jan 12, 2006 0:12:59 GMT -7
Is it on this forum that Skype was written up as a good way to telephone? I just completed my first experience with it and am quite pleased. I enjoyed a telphone call - rather computer to computer - to Lithuania for about half an hour, and for no cost! Hard to believe. They do advertise telephone to telphone for different rates with Skype credit. l Slovakia $ 0.068 Slovakia - Mobile $ 0.214 Poland $ 0.021 Poland - Mobile $ 0.246 per minute for telphone. Computer to computer is free, adn I was connected at 28.8 adn the voice was quite acceptable. Well, you all know I am not a commercail enterprise, so I will include their web page. www.skype.comI just had to find an old microphone to plug into the laptop and it worked... Pretty slick stuff! Kai |
|
|
|
Post by suzanne on Jan 12, 2006 14:15:11 GMT -7
I'm just learning to use Skype and like it so far. The voice quality is pretty good, but there is sometimes a slight pause. Sometimes my husband has to travel for business and this is really as good as regualr phone calls, not to mention much cheaper!
|
|
|
|
Post by rdywenur on Jan 12, 2006 15:52:14 GMT -7
I have been using Skype since Christmas and it is great. Wujohn pointed me to a better mic than the one I was using and have since had better transmissions. They said I was fading in and out on my old mic yet they always sounded clear to me and no problems. The model he suggested is cvl-1124R from Staples and it cost me only 7.98. I tried looking for it on line and came up with no hits but they are in the stores.
|
|
|
|
Post by kaima on Jan 13, 2006 0:40:07 GMT -7
Yes, it skips sometimes, but it is far superior tot he first sattelite telephone we had in the 1970'. I remember the first experimental call I made just to test it out. There was a very substantial time delay and echo on the line. Well, at least we share an out-of-this world conversation!
Kai
|
|
|
|
Post by sciwriter on Jan 13, 2006 16:25:06 GMT -7
Guys, I downloaded Skype on my PC which includes new mike & speakers. So did my son in Mexico City. Please give me simple step by step directions for calling him on his PC. Thanks. Carl
|
|
|
|
Post by rdywenur on Jan 13, 2006 18:03:22 GMT -7
There is a getting started wizard that walks you through the initial start up. I suggest you use that. It should be in your menu after you click on Help once the program is loaded onto your pc/ (it will look like an instant messenger or buddy list ) At this point it will ask you to enter a contact name which will be your sons screenname for Skype. Then it will ask you to do a test call to make sure your call and download are okay. Next step is that both of you must be on line at the same time to call each other if it is pc to pc. (you will maybe want to email each other to set up a time. Then in contacts tab click on his name and at the bottom you will see a green circle with a phone icon. This means he is available to take a call and you click on the green circle to dial your call. You have other options (greyed out circle is with X means off line/not available. If available you will hear a phone ringing.
|
|
|
|
Post by wujjohn on Jan 13, 2006 18:47:05 GMT -7
I got this from the Skype website.
Start Skype
Log in with your Skype Name and password (this happens automatically by default if you have already chosen a Skype Name and password and you are connected to the Internet).
When you start Skype for the first time, your Contact List will be empty. To find friends so that they can be added to your Contact’s, select the Search... option from the Tools menu or press the Search toolbar button. A new search window will open where you can search for friends by name, or any other information they have listed in their Personal Profile.
To add a friend to your Contact List, simply right-click the name from the search results and select “add to Contacts”
There are several ways to call a Contact
Right-click the Skype Name in your Contact List or the search result and select “Call”
Double-click the Skype Name in your Contact List or the search result
Select a Skype Name and then click the “Call button” at the bottom of the window.
If someone is calling you, you will hear the sound of a telephone ringing and the Skype icon in your system tray will flash. Go to the Skype application (if not already visible) and select whether you would like to answer or reject the call in the incoming call tab.
As soon as you decide to answer a call, a two-way voice conversation will begin and the duration of the call will be visible.
Either party can end the call at any time by clicking the hang-up button (in the call tab or in the quick toolbar, if visible).
|
|
|
|
Post by sciwriter on Jan 13, 2006 20:46:28 GMT -7
Rdywnur & Wujjon: Thanks for your help. Carl
|
|
|
|
Post by kaima on Jan 13, 2006 21:33:49 GMT -7
I am glad tehy set you up so well, Carl. let us know when you have your first successful call!
I sent an email to the Slovak cousin, but so far have not found him on line.
Kai
|
|
|
|
Post by kaima on Jan 14, 2006 12:02:45 GMT -7
The kids in the Slovak family were on Skype last night and again this morning (as I was; times are Alaska time, 10 hours different from SK time). The voice did not seem to work for us but we had a couple fo good sessions with instant messaging. I was busy writing my ideas in short sentences but still trying to write proper English as an example since they are studying English. At the same time most messages I copied to the computer translation program and let it do its job... and sent both english and the rough Slovak translation, perhaps to aid in their understanding of strange words. Besides, it gave me a chance to check most of my spelling - you know how fumble fingered I type!
It was a lot of fun!
Kai
I
|
|
|
|
Post by rdywenur on Jan 14, 2006 12:10:07 GMT -7
Kai.. ...Instant messaging although helpful is probably the worst tool to use to learn English. Especially the way I write in IM (Im not as bad as the kids though with wuzup!...that to me is like nails on a chalkboard) I hate the im spellings. It is destroying the English language and not to leave out how it is affecting spelling in the real world.
|
|
|
|
Post by sciwriter on Jan 14, 2006 12:15:13 GMT -7
Guys, I'll keep you posted on my use of Skype. Thanks. Carl
|
|
|
|
Post by kaima on Jan 14, 2006 18:25:11 GMT -7
Great Carl, I hope your success and satisfaction match mine.
Kai
|
|
|
|
Post by sciwriter on Jan 26, 2006 9:47:39 GMT -7
My son: Robert in Mexico City has conversed with my wife: Fran & I in Teaneck, NJ USA on Skype. Superb computer phone. Carl
|
|
|
|
Post by kaima on Jan 28, 2006 10:54:36 GMT -7
Great to hear it went through fine for you Carl! I have had good luck as well, and it is thoroughly enjoyable to hear a voice - and even see the video.
My home connection is too slow to carry video as well, but it does a great job on voice. The other day I went down to our local coffee house with high speed wireless and set up at 5:30 in the morning and was ready half an hour later when family came on line (as pre-arranged) at 6 AM - 4PM in Slovakia. So I have proven my vid cam works. Now if I could get it to work outside during hours when the sun is shining ...
It is a great toy and very handy and cheap way of communicating!
Kai
|
|
