Tesco Internet Phone and Skype

kittykat500

Hi all

I would like to install Skype as my youngest is always playing games online and calling up his pal whilst doing so, sending my telephone bill up!

What I want are totally free calls via the Internet (like Skype), not paying for a 2p per minute service with Tesco as their phones imply.

So, could anyone tell me if Tesco do an internet phone that can be used solely for Skype? If you know the model,price and how to install it (plug and play?)too that would be great! Would this one work?

http://buy.tescointernetphone.com/details.asp?idProduct=468


Ta in advance.

cledor

Most of the USB phones work with Skype, but it's even cheaper to just buy a microphone for your pc and use the existing speakers.

kittykat500

Thanks Cledor (I think the 'thanks' button isn't working on my PC!)

Will the quality/connection be just as good?

cledor

The quality is usually good, but obviously depends on the quality of the speakers and mic.

Note that Skype calls are only free from PC to PC.

kittykat500

I've just downloaded Skype for my son. I can't seem to find out whether it is possible to add other user accounts, as I would quite like to add my other son and myself to the user list on my computer. Anyone know if this is possible?

Also, I've found a Plantronics headset lying around at home which I would like to use. Unfortunately the plug in end is too small for the microphone socket on the PC! Can I buy an adaptor or where should I stick it - (keep it clean pls!).

Thanks

cledor

To login as a different user you'll need to logout then log back in as a different user. (File - Logout - ...)

The headset might not be suitable if it has different connectors, you can probably get adaptors but they're usually too expensive (Maplin prices) and it would be cheaper to buy a new one. Having looked at the half price USB phone from Tesco I'd be tempted to give that a try, should be easy enough to set up.

kittykat500

Yeah I'll probably go for the Tesco phone.

Regarding the account, I realise I will have to login as different users, but I'm not sure how to set the other accounts up in the first place! When I went through the Skype start up process it only allowed me to set up one account!

Thanks for all your help by the way.

kittykat500

Scrub that last post, I've realised how to do it doh!

Wombat

The one drawback I found with using mike and speakers for Internet phone use was that the person on the other end could hear themselves through the speakers, which could be a bit offputting.

I sent for a phone handset on Ebay which was about a fiver brand new. It plugged into the mike and speaker sockets of the PC, your speakers plugged into a little extension lead from the speaker socket, and the handset had a switch to turn speakers off and on.

And yes, you should be able to get an adaptor for the mike socket from a PC shop or audio equipment shop.