Do you skype?

Pastorius · 14-03-2005, 21:04

IP-telephony is the new hot thing in Norway

I see that some companies have started charging for such services already, but I also see that Skype is a free client, and works pretty much like an instant messaging client - with possibility for conference call mode)

IMO the keyboard lacks the quality that person to person conversation has - in that a voice conveys moods etc in a much better way.

Under 1 hour ago, my girlfriend called from Mexico. It costs her 90NOK for 5 minutes (1euro=7-8 NOK). We didnt even manage to finish the conversation before the line was broken. And what a crappy line it was too (not surprising in Mexico probably)

It would be cool if Skype became a large actor in that market - especially if internet cafees started having microphones, sound cards and speakers on their pcs.

So, do you have any experience with internet based telephony? Whadda ya think? A good idea? Dangerous? Too good to be true?

edit: http://www.skype.com

Matrix · 14-03-2005, 21:13

I don't know exactly how it works, but I'm positive this sort of is the future. I mean, I can already talk to anyone in the world for free using MSN (except for the fact that you have to pay for having internet in the first place of course).

ProPain · 14-03-2005, 21:50

i use skype and I think it's brilliant. Several reasons:

- only voice over IP programm that handles my 'behind routers and firewall situation' for voice. MSN does a piss-poor job at this but several other programs also failed

- only programm that handles my 'behind routers and firewall situation' for file-transfer. MSN does a piss-poor job at this but several other programs also failed. I think this part is as good as the voice part!

- cheapest way to talk to my friends abroad, much more convenient than the typing.

Plux · 14-03-2005, 22:40

I used to VoIP to ring my (then) girlfriend when I was in Brazil some years ago. Ritstele.com the site was called, and I could call her on her normal phone line for free. Already worked neat, not the telephone line quality but very understandable. Only thing was that the line was cut off for 30 secs every five minutes to allow me to look at some ads, but that was a small fee to pay for a great service. They discontinued the free service a while later though.

I started experimenting with Skype a year and a half ago and already then it was good. Also used it when I was in the Amazon area to call a friend in Holland, and it worked great! Excellent quality over a poor satellite internet connection!

In South America VoIP is THE hot thing. In Guyana there were already quite a few phone houses that ran their lines over internet and charged low rates. I think ca 25% of commercial public phone traffic towards abroad is going over VoIP there. I stayed there with a guy who provided these phone houses with internet lines and VoIP services and he was doing very well for himself. I foresee that in five years from now he will be in the Top Ten Forbes list of that country. Good stuff

Schip · 15-03-2005, 00:46

OK Skype is IT! Works great, never failed on me.

When I was in Mexico and my ex-GF (a year later) in Canada we used a second carrier (Tele2 and ???). They buy bulk minutes from KPN so they can offer you very very low rates. Calling to Mexico cost €0,02 a minute and 24hours calling to canada cost me €12,- . You can find them on the internet, don't know which are available in Norway though. I didn't have any problems with the Mexican telecommunications, but I never used a public phone. Remember with the carriers it is you calling here and it will take some time to set up. OTOH you can sometimes just call a prefix and it is charges on your credit card. Good luck!

akots · 15-03-2005, 02:04

No such problem in US. I'm calling Moscow from Texas by local phone number calling card at 0.8 cents/minute, no connection fee, service excellent. Other major European cities is the same (UK is 1.3 cents/minute) as well as China. A $10 card lasts well for a month or sometimes more. But skype rates are very competitive indeed.

Ville · 15-03-2005, 15:32

I have Skype, don't use it too much though

digger760 · 15-03-2005, 16:10

What is the delay like on these services. I can't stand any echo's or delays when talking to people on the phone!

Pastorius · 15-03-2005, 16:27

My friend said it starts out fine, but after a while up to a few seconds. He spent 1/2 hour testing it, and overall, that wasnt bad...

14-03-2005, 21:04	#1
Pastorius Custard used tile Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Opening a can Posts: 3,158	Do you skype? IP-telephony is the new hot thing in Norway I see that some companies have started charging for such services already, but I also see that Skype is a free client, and works pretty much like an instant messaging client - with possibility for conference call mode) IMO the keyboard lacks the quality that person to person conversation has - in that a voice conveys moods etc in a much better way. Under 1 hour ago, my girlfriend called from Mexico. It costs her 90NOK for 5 minutes (1euro=7-8 NOK). We didnt even manage to finish the conversation before the line was broken. And what a crappy line it was too (not surprising in Mexico probably) It would be cool if Skype became a large actor in that market - especially if internet cafees started having microphones, sound cards and speakers on their pcs. So, do you have any experience with internet based telephony? Whadda ya think? A good idea? Dangerous? Too good to be true? edit: http://www.skype.com __________________

14-03-2005, 21:13	#2
Matrix Administrator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Tampere, Finland Posts: 4,828	I don't know exactly how it works, but I'm positive this sort of is the future. I mean, I can already talk to anyone in the world for free using MSN (except for the fact that you have to pay for having internet in the first place of course). __________________

14-03-2005, 21:50	#3
ProPain Customized Admin :) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sailing the seas of cheese. Posts: 5,852	i use skype and I think it's brilliant. Several reasons: - only voice over IP programm that handles my 'behind routers and firewall situation' for voice. MSN does a piss-poor job at this but several other programs also failed - only programm that handles my 'behind routers and firewall situation' for file-transfer. MSN does a piss-poor job at this but several other programs also failed. I think this part is as good as the voice part! - cheapest way to talk to my friends abroad, much more convenient than the typing. __________________ I fed my Dog the American Dream Well, he rolled over and he started to scream He said, I dig the taste of salt but it don't keep me alive yeah, yeah

15-03-2005, 02:04	#6
akots Nebuchadnezzar II Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Glover Park Posts: 4,459	No such problem in US. I'm calling Moscow from Texas by local phone number calling card at 0.8 cents/minute, no connection fee, service excellent. Other major European cities is the same (UK is 1.3 cents/minute) as well as China. A $10 card lasts well for a month or sometimes more. But skype rates are very competitive indeed. __________________ Cujusvis hominis est errare; nullius, nisi insipientis in errore perseverare Ciceron (Marcus Tullius)

15-03-2005, 16:27	#9
Pastorius Custard used tile Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Opening a can Posts: 3,158	My friend said it starts out fine, but after a while up to a few seconds. He spent 1/2 hour testing it, and overall, that wasnt bad... __________________

14-03-2005, 22:40	#4
Plux King Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 1,213	I used to VoIP to ring my (then) girlfriend when I was in Brazil some years ago. Ritstele.com the site was called, and I could call her on her normal phone line for free. Already worked neat, not the telephone line quality but very understandable. Only thing was that the line was cut off for 30 secs every five minutes to allow me to look at some ads, but that was a small fee to pay for a great service. They discontinued the free service a while later though. I started experimenting with Skype a year and a half ago and already then it was good. Also used it when I was in the Amazon area to call a friend in Holland, and it worked great! Excellent quality over a poor satellite internet connection! In South America VoIP is THE hot thing. In Guyana there were already quite a few phone houses that ran their lines over internet and charged low rates. I think ca 25% of commercial public phone traffic towards abroad is going over VoIP there. I stayed there with a guy who provided these phone houses with internet lines and VoIP services and he was doing very well for himself. I foresee that in five years from now he will be in the Top Ten Forbes list of that country. Good stuff

15-03-2005, 00:46	#5
Schip Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Netherlands. Posts: 289	OK Skype is IT! Works great, never failed on me. When I was in Mexico and my ex-GF (a year later) in Canada we used a second carrier (Tele2 and ???). They buy bulk minutes from KPN so they can offer you very very low rates. Calling to Mexico cost €0,02 a minute and 24hours calling to canada cost me €12,- . You can find them on the internet, don't know which are available in Norway though. I didn't have any problems with the Mexican telecommunications, but I never used a public phone. Remember with the carriers it is you calling here and it will take some time to set up. OTOH you can sometimes just call a prefix and it is charges on your credit card. Good luck!

15-03-2005, 15:32	#7
Ville Warlord Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Espoo, Finland Posts: 346	I have Skype, don't use it too much though

15-03-2005, 16:10	#8
digger760 King Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: The Fake Dog Poo Factory. Posts: 1,887	What is the delay like on these services. I can't stand any echo's or delays when talking to people on the phone!