Using "Skype" or similar for phone calls

roddydogs

Probably a silly question, but if you make a call , how does the person you call know your calling if (A) he dosent have his computer on, or( is not on the "Skype" website, or the system you using?

Cardew

I use Skype all the time.

If you are calling 'Skype to Skype' the calls are free. You can see if if the person is on line if they are one of your contacts(they have to give their permission) and everyone has the ability to 'hide' the fact you are on line.

The receipient can see who is calling them.

The call quality can vary from poor to very good.

You can call any telephone No in the world even if that person does not have a Computer. You have to set up a credit balance(pay by Credit card) The calls vary in price but to countries like USA, Australia, Europe it is 1.25p/min

The recipient cannot tell who is calling, unless you pay for a specific tel Number.

Call quality is normally good, but both people cannot talk at the same time(if you see what I mean)

cuppajoe

Also Skype now have a pay monthly option if you call landlines/mobiles a lot from your PC.

One country unlimited = €3.95/month
Europe unlimited = €4.95/month
40 countries Worldwide = €8.95/month

http://www.skype.com/intl/en-gb/business/features/subscriptions/#europeanSubscriptionTab

roddydogs

Yes, but if there online, but not on the Skype website, how do they know your calling?

wonka

The person you're trying to call on Skype (PC-to-PC) will only know you're calling if they themselves are running Skype too. If you call them, a window pops up announcing an incoming call (including name), and a sound clip plays (of a ringing phone) to alert them.

If they're not running Skype, you simply can't call them on their PC. However, in this case, if you have Skype call credit, then you could call their landline phone.

Cardew

Just to clarify the above, as long as they have Skype on their PC and are on-line(which means running Skype) they will, as wonka states, get a pop up window appear. i.e. they can be working/looking at anything else on the PC.