 So a few years ago, I downloaded Skype! But I didn't have anyone to call, so I didn't mess with it and quickly forgot that I even had it installed on my system. When I replaced my laptop, it of course came with a built in Camera, and a link to download Skype right on the desktop. So I once again installed it! When I did, i got to thinking about how powerful this app is! And the QUALITY of the calls. Now back in the day, when I first explored Video Calls, it was a job just to get it to work. I had to have a special headset, and video was pixelated, and very undependable. Well, I set Skype up on two computers here at home and set my wife a profile on one, with me on the other. And called to test the video and sound . . Wow! Very good. So I sent a friend in Belfast a link and told him, this might be an alternative to international phone calls. A couple of days later, he calls me, and now I am impressed! With a regular web cam and a microphone I am holding an effortless conversation with my bud half a world away, and we are not just talking, but looking at one another and talking about winter shoes, beards, ect . . . . Great Stuff. So While in Colorado, I pick up a camera for my Son to take to Iraq with him and also install Skype. After setting it up, I call my wife and ask her to log onto Skype as Eric is going to call her. Even on his laptop with a Celeron processor, the video image as well as the sound is excellent! All of this for free. 
But what if you need a phone number and voicemail? Well, Skype offers just that! Honestly, if you have a broadband connection, I can't see any real advantage to cable company phone services such as Vonage. Skype is super affordable. For example, I can get a phone number, voicemail, and unlimited calling in the USA and Canada for $60 per year! For basically three months of Vonage service, I can get a whole year's worth of Skype! Need to call internaionally? Skype has you covered with very comparable internaional rates to the traditional services. Now I know I am behind the times here. Many people are using Skype already! For example, on the flight out to Colorado I sat beside a guy who owns his own business. I told him I had just re-discovered Skype and he told me it was his main form on communication for his business! He just raved about its quality and price! He also said he loved the ability to forward his Skype calls to his Cell phone, and sure enough as soon as we landed, he got a call to his cell phone forwarded from his Skype account! If you haven't already tried Skype, I urge you to check it out! It really is a wonderful means of staying in touch! Free is great, and for a little, you can get a whole lot. Again, in the US and Canada, $60 will get you a phone number, and calling anywhere, anytime for 12 months! And $30.00 will give you the ability to call any phone in the US and Canada. My Son was very very impressed and told me that as soon as he got the internet configured in Iraq, to expect him to call us here in the states. He was very interested in the ability to set up a voicemail message so that he could catch up!
|
