Should I Try Skype?

by Kent on 16. Feb, 2006 in Tech

I am a little intrigued by Skype. A lot of my fellow bloggers have it and have numbers and links and whatnot on their web pages.

I’m thinking about trying it, but here’s the problem. No one who is even remotely related to me will ever know what Skype is, much less use it. Heck, I’m lucky if any of them email me. My family is just not into newfangled technology like VOIP, computers, cable TV, cordless phones and that sort of thing.

And when I’m at home, I’m going to use my regular phone for my regular calls, even if it isn’t exactly free.

Given that, is there a use for Skype? Is it easy to ping someone and talk with them briefly about an article or something in the news, etc. Does anyone I know do that? If I used it, would I ever want to call somebody? Would they answer?

Do you get telemarketing calls?

Somebody who knows, give me the scoop.

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  • Be sure to look at Gizmo too.
    http://www.gizmoproject.com/

    Nice cross-platform installs, open standards, and innovative features. Free to cheap too.


  • I recommend IMing first before "just" dialing up another Skype user. If for no other reason that "showing as online" does not automatically equal "is at one's desk, or prepared to yak on Skype."

    The sound quality varies. Have you downloaded it yet?

  • So if someone has Skype and I see a little notice on their website (sort of like Mathew Ingram has) that says available (or whatever the right word is), I can just click on that and dial them up?

    I assume the sound quality is good?

  • Another benefit (I have no vested interest in Skype, I am just a lowly user) is that you can use it as an IM client with robust calling features. I use it for IM more than for calling, but it is a great option to switch seamlessly to voice (or even conference) mode when the IM-ing gets to be a bit much.

    Why not try the download (free) and test it out with some blog pals? I will be happy to help you test it out if you need a willing Skype user.

  • Your family doesn't have to be into new fangled technology to take advantage of Skype.

    As long as they have a land line you can call them using SkypeOut. It's not free but it's really really cheap.

    Also, if you live far away from the people you want to talk to you can set up a phone number in their area code using SkypeIn. That way they can call you without the long distance charges. Again, this isn't free but it's very inexpensive. A flat rate per year, I believe.



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