Skype questions

brenda_p_a

Being an almost total novice with computers and all the magical things it can be used for,can anyone explain to me skype like what do i need to buy to use it,how do i use it,what do i have to download,does it cost anything at all if you speak to others on computer who have skype?Basically the A-Z of starting and using skype.:o

DatabaseError

skype can be downloaded for free, you need an internet (ideally broadband) connection to use it, you can chat with other skype users using the keyboard (type for free) or by voice if you buy a headset, available from pound shops, pcworld, anywhere really...really easy to set up, er...

brenda_p_a

tonyhague wrote: »

skype can be downloaded for free, you need an internet (ideally broadband) connection to use it, you can chat with other skype users using the keyboard (type for free) or by voice if you buy a headset, available from pound shops, pcworld, anywhere really...really easy to set up, er...

Is there a microphone with the headset? or can you buy a phone that plugs into your computer?

alanwjones

brenda_p_a wrote: »

Is there a microphone with the headset? or can you buy a phone that plugs into your computer?

complete headsets that connect to your pc, there are also Skype phones available. Alan.

Robin_T_Cox

Argos sell an excellent headset for Skype costing £19.99.

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Search?storeId=10001&catalogId=1500001001&langId=-1&searchTerms=SKYPE+HEADSET&Submit=GO+%3E

benjus

There are basically 4 types of device that you can use with Skype:

1. Headsets that plug into your soundcard (the green and pink 3.5mm sockets on your computer). These are cheap but you may have to keep unplugging your speakers to connect the headset.
2. Headsets/phones/adaptors that plug into a USB port - some are just headsets while others are specially designed for Skype. They offer various levels of functionality. You can also buy adaptors to allow a conventional analogue phone to work with Skype.
3. Phones that connect directly to Skype via a wireless (wifi) connection. These are handy because you don't need a computer to use them but they are quite expensive.
4. The Skype mobile phone that connects to your Skype account via 3G mobile broadband.

If you get a webcam you can also do video chat.

Personally I don't use Skype much. I tend to use MSN Messenger (or whatever it's called this week) for text/voice/video chat. Which is best for you really depends on which system your friends are already using.

Skype is not cost-effective for making/receiving calls to/from normal telephones (these facilities are called SkypeIn and SkypeOut). I use SipGate (http://www.sipgate.co.uk/user/index.php) for this - SipGate is more flexible than Skype (it uses the standard SIP technology) and you get a free UK number for receiving calls.

sleep2much

My wife uses Skype to call her Father in Malaysia as it can call normal land lines too, it's pretty cheap to use, about 1.5p per minute or so, it has a bit of time lag but not enough to worry about, and certainly works out better than BT's 70p per minute, I've never used it as a chat client, but I'm sure it compares well to MSN or Yahoo messangers.

benjus

sleep2much wrote: »

My wife uses Skype to call her Father in Malaysia as it can call normal land lines too, it's pretty cheap to use, about 1.5p per minute or so, it has a bit of time lag but not enough to worry about, and certainly works out better than BT's 70p per minute, I've never used it as a chat client, but I'm sure it compares well to MSN or Yahoo messangers.

Skype is certainly cheaper than BT, but it doesn't compare very well to my current favourite, Nonoh (http://www.nonoh.net/en/calling-rates.html). If you open a Nonoh account and buy some credit you should get free calls to landlines in Malaysia for a certain period.

Apart from the cheap rates, the main reason I like Nonoh is that you can use it in several different ways:

1. Activating the call via the website (handy when I'm at work and I want to call using my desk phone but without making an outgoing call). Also works with my free SIPGate number.
2. Using an access number (handy when I want to use my mobile)
3. Using a PC softphone - similar to Skype (handy when I'm using my PC at home)

DatabaseError

benjus wrote: »

There are basically 4 types of device that you can use with Skype:...

I use a bluetooth dongle, and a motorola phone headset, so 5

benjus

tonyhague wrote: »

I use a bluetooth dongle, and a motorola phone headset, so 5

Fair enough, I hadn't thought of that... although if it's a USB dongle you could argue that you've effectively got a USB headset...

I also neglected to mention things like using a Skype/SIP gateway (if such things are still around) and an ATA to connect your normal home phone to your skype account via your broadband router. But who in their right mind would do such a thing?!

alanrowell

benjus wrote: »

There are basically 4 types of device that you can use with Skype:

Five - a device that plugs into a router and then allows you to connect a normal phone to it. The advantages of this are that you don't need the computer turned on to make or receive calls - though the router does have to be powered on - and you can use normal phones, including cordless ones to make phone calls with.