The Auswine Forum

Hello all

I have been interested in using voice over IP for long distance telephone communication for some time particularly when I worked with IT.

Recently, I installed some software called Skype to test. It is free (at this time) to install and have a phone call from a PC to a PC anywhere in the world. I have made contact with relatives in Australia and in other parts of the world. And it is a free call. You can even make a call to a landline in another country but pay for this at a fairly low rate.

It is possible to set up conference calls.

Maybe this is the new way to order your wine online instead of calling STD. A group tasting of a particular wine across Australia on free conference?

Has anyone tried using any of this software? And what success have you had.

My skype name is barossared.... don't know how that name came to me.

Any thoughts?

Graham

Skype works well. We use it internally at work. Best with broadband of course.
GW

when I get it, I'll be callin' Gavin 7x24...'til he bans my IP

Serge wrote:when I get it, I'll be callin' Gavin 7x24...'til he bans my IP

That's one of it's best points

BLOCK USER

Graham

Anonymous wrote:Skype works well. We use it internally at work. Best with broadband of course.
GW

That would have to be a GW birth date 06/01/1970.

Did you see another GW in Victoria?

Graham

I have recently begun to use this as well, calls from Belgium to oz work out to be 1.7EURO cents per minute to a land line, free if the reciever has downloaded the skype.
Definately beats the costs for STD calls.

I am suprised that very few people use voice of IP.

Skype is a great service and I call people all over the world all the time when I am on-line. And yes, for free.

If I know someone doesn't have it, I send them the link and instructions (which are easy) and Bob's your uncle.......

Like all good things that come for free, I imagine there will be a cost somewhere down the line.

If u don't have voice over IP, get it.
It's just like a telephone call, only crunchy...

Thank God for Skype. My daughter got back from Germany recently and has been on the "computer phone" for hours at a time. Yes Skype does save money, lots of money.
MM.

Gianna.. wrote:I am suprised that very few people use voice of IP.

Skype is a great service and I call people all over the world all the time when I am on-line. And yes, for free.

If I know someone doesn't have it, I send them the link and instructions (which are easy) and Bob's your uncle.......

Like all good things that come for free, I imagine there will be a cost somewhere down the line.

If u don't have voice over IP, get it.
It's just like a telephone call, only crunchy...

Skype currently has no plans for charging for Skype-to-Skype calls. They do have a service that allows one to call a regular phone number from a Skype client. This service they charge for.

They are also in the process of embedding Skype software into all sorts of handheld devices. The fact that it changes to cost structure for making phone calls is putting a chill in the spines of service providers.

But for Skype-to-Skype calling, probably it will always be free.

JC (High-tech tool by day, wino by night... )

Skype. Period.

Above landline quality @ 4KB/s and that includes encryption already.

And definitely get one of those USB-to-RJ11 adapters (unless you gonna use Skype on a PDA of course).

Hmmmm, saw a skype equipped usb handset/dialer in a catalogue in thae weekend paper for under $100... similar price for a headset, more than double for a magic dac box to suit your existing B&O fancy handset...

You can get them for $30-$50.
The ones without RJ-11 output but instead in the shape of a mobile phone, costs even less. But of course, you can't use cordless phones with it.

Although the Skype software is free, it is a bit misleading to say that using Skype is free, it isn't really. Skype uses VoIP (Voice over IP) which uses your internet connection and the IP protocol, just like sending emails or surfing the web. You have to pay your service provider for this, the more you use, the more you pay until you get to the "all you can eat" service plans.

As a result, Skype, or any other software company, will never be able to charge you for calls, only your ISP could do that. Given that most don't bother to distinguish between types of traffic for billing purposes (with the exception that some ISPs like Bigpond have "free" web sites that don't count towards total traffic usage) it is unlikely they will try to charge for VoIP calls for a while yet at least. However, as the popularity grows and fixed wire calls start to drop off, this could change.

For a father of a 21 year old in Exeter, England at a Uni college that costs a fortune to call (hence she rings us from the local Dr Who public telephone box) this sounds really interesting.

Other than downloading the software what accessories do I need for my computer - we have broadband and so does she.

Keep it simple for an oldie!!

Cheers

Paul

Paul, all you need is a headset mike and earphones at both ends ($25) pluged in to the puter, and you're in business. Unbelievably easy, no delay, occasional echo, don't try to talk accross each other tho. It's like the other person is right there next to you. Been using now for over a year. Good stuff! www.skype.com

I have no vested interest here.

Cheers
Chris

Chris Judd wrote:Paul, all you need is a headset mike and earphones at both ends ($25) pluged in to the puter, and you're in business. Unbelievably easy, no delay, occasional echo, don't try to talk accross each other tho. It's like the other person is right there next to you. Been using now for over a year. Good stuff! www.skype.com

I have no vested interest here.

Cheers
Chris

Thanks Chris - I'll pop down to Dick Smith's and pick up a set.
Cheers

Paul