Skype

[shopligand]

SKYPE free telephone calls for all to any where in the world to other skype users just wondering if any members are using this system yet & what are your views on it ? I had it demonstrated to me by a guy at bowlers on sat he was selling the phones to plug into you pc usb port for £9.99 & for those that dont know skype is a free download with no hidden costs you just need your mates/family to download the software & away you go which is very handy if you have relatives who live abroad talking to each other for free as often as you like, for a fee you can also phone land lines but I think that would defeat the object.

[Rock69]

Yeah, i've used it loads, if you've got a mic and speakers then it's as easy as installing any software - you just need someone else with it - you can also put credit on it and call landlines or mobiles here or abroad.

[Dave Mak]

you can use it like msn messenger or pay £20 (i think) and you get your own landline phone number :ok

[bobbydee]

If you have a headphone/mic I use voipcheap.Landlines are free although you have to put credit on but you can use for mobiles or 0870 numbers.I have used it for about nine months and it is great.

[Dave Mak]

@bobbydee, nice one m8. i just installed that voipcheap and i phoned the lad downstairs on his landline for nowt, and i haven't put any credit in yet :ok

ok its lets you make a 60sec call's for free, if you have credit then it works as normal. so if you are just phoning a taxi or ordering a pizza then its fine

[kejot]

or you can get one of these


_http://www.voipuser.org/review_12.html

or

_http://www.dlink.com/products/?pid=466&sec=1

[shirehorses]

Been using voipcheep for a while now,
£10 +vat for 4 months, and headset from poundland (£1)
but it does break up now and again.

[pjwpeters]

I am also using voipcheap its brill looking to get the wireless phone now that is sppossed to search for and log on to (open) networks while out and about.

Mary x

[shopligand]

thank you all for sharing your experiences of what to me is new technology thats worth having a go at it seems cheap or free depending on how you use it thanks kjot for links posted found info on them very interesting :ok

[pjwpeters]

This months (April edition) of PCFormat has skype for the pocket pc therefore turning your pda into a wireless skpe phone ...just waiting for a pocket voipcheap now :wink:

[shopligand]

thanks marryann will look into that cos I have a pda actually I have 2 so if anyone wants to buy one it's yours for £100 brand new with all accessories boxed & ready to go.

[gazza]

@bobbydee, nice one m8. i just installed that voipcheap and i phoned the lad downstairs on his landline for nowt, and i haven't put any credit in yet :ok

ok its lets you make a 60sec call's for free, if you have credit then it works as normal. so if you are just phoning a taxi or ordering a pizza then its fine

m8 just used this its gr8 if someone has it as well but gr8 as u said for taxi's etc am buzzin with it m8

others i phone say that its a bit low but ive put mic on full wack and they say it crackels ?? i say oh well its free shut up will yer what the fook do yer want for nowt ??

also i done a search of a name and came up with loads of peep numbers i tryed one and he was from the another country didnt speck much english i just said sorry wrong number

so if i top up 10 pounds i can still make free calls if the other person has it ??

[pjwpeters]

Gazza, It is £10 for 4 months....then you can phone any landline not just people that have it. You have to pay for 0845 numbers an mobiles but at a cheaper rate than normal. The £10 you get back in credit so if you phone a mobile you use the £10 and after the call it tells you how much you have left in your account. As long as you are in credit you can phone landlines free for the 4 months. If you run out you just put another £10 on. Also when you pay the £10 you get a phone numer people can call you on. I would advise getting a usb phone for it they sell them at maplins and tesco. Hope this helps if i have made it clear ask away matey and i will see if i can help. I love it my i havent used my normal house phone at all.

Mary x

[shirehorses]

Maryann seems you are as big a fan of voipcheap as i am,
I heard a (rumour) that you can use it even when you are offline using an adaptor
called sips ?

also I heard on radio4, that these phone services can not be used to call 999.

if thats true then we still need a home phone or mobile just in case!

[pjwpeters]

Thanks for that Shirehorses i have not had cause to call 999 (touch wood) yet. But i still have a home phone but no calls on the bill.

Mary x

[kejot]

the problem with the 999 call is that the call cant be traced, to your address, and no caller id to try phoning back

[shopligand]

Glad I started this thread now it's proving very interesting ! one more question for your £10 credit over 4 months you say calls can be made to land lines free is there a time limit on how long the calls can last ??? if so how long cos this could save me a fortune with my wifes familly living all over the place & calls to keep in touch going on for ever. lol.By the way in the latest copy of web user there is a voip hedset which they reckon is the bees knees for quality etc.

[pjwpeters]

As far as i can see there is no time limit i have spent at least 2hrs on it chatting to my sister and yes it has saved me a fortune too.

Mary x

[bison1947]

Does anyone know of any answer machine software
that you can use with Voipcheap?

Bison.........

[kejot]

try something like this


_http://3d2f.com/programs/5-030-phoner-download.shtml

[bison1947]

Kejot

Thanks for the link will give it a go .
Have just ordered a Usb phone and about
to credit my Voipcheap account so then ill
bin Ntl
Thanks again

Bison......

[shirehorses]

called my m8 Fred in menorca 25 minutes cost nowt friday afternoon,
clear as a bell.. no problem..
called my m8 Pete in Birkenhead friday afternoon, starts ok but after 3 minutes
it all goes PETE TONGE, breaks up, he gets so fed up that he calls me back BT TO NTL, 5P per minute.

it's not reliable for sure,
but it is cheap.

[shirehorses]

there is a way to use a voip phone even when you are offline and when your computer is swithed off,

I wish I knew more about SIPS, seems we need some adapter?
i have a m8 who is knowlegable about this stuff.

i'll pick his brains (he has 2 or more).

when I know i'll let you know..

[kejot]

@shire. there is a router with the phone points in it for voip, if i can find it i'll post link, theres also a phone with 2 call buttons on it one for voip & other for landline, you choose which one you want to use

[kejot]

phone is like this


_http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=9703860595

[Helmutt]

Skype is really good. I have had conference calls with participants from 3 different countries. Works a treat.

[wobblebottom]

Im converted!

:ok

[shirehorses]

m8, thanks for the link but looks like the computer need to be on,
there is a way 2 use voip without the computer being on!
When I know more i'll be posting..

[kejot]

how about this then



_http://tools.netgear.com/skype/#

[kejot]

or just the wireless router


_http://www.netgear.com/products/details/WGR826V.php

[kejot]

and 2 phone standard router


_http://www.netgear.com/products/details/TA612V.php

[gazza]

yes m8 payed the 10 pounds and all sorted now buzzin with it m8 had some small probs at first ie feedback but now no prob cheap as chips 2 call mobiles etc

the only thing is i was tryin to call my m8 on his mobile was saying [ringing] but then said end call no comuication between partys but still took the 9p charge ?? any help would be help full

and as for 999 calls i my self still have the house phone

it also says that the sound qual will inprove with the head sets ??

[kejot]

heres another Voip program, which lists free landline calls & free voip-in number

_http://www.internetcalls.com/en/index.html


and with skype, with a external handset try skypemate, to auto connect units