Skype

[BrewersDroop]

Does anyone here have any experience with Skype (http://skype.com/)? A few people at a place I used to work have been using it for several weeks and have recommended it but, being the suspicious type, I'm a bit leery of the product and the motives of the company. It all sounds a bit too good to be true.

[Alan Au]

Like most companies, they're out to make money. They plan to do this by selling their SkypeOut and SkypeIn services to those who want to connect to the traditional phone backbone. Otherwise, it functions more or less like Teamspeak or instant messaging (i.e. you can direct-chat with friends who have the client installed).

- Alan

[DrCrypt]

It's really excellent, and me and some clients use it quite frequently, but I hate it anyway. IM has an anonymous immediacy that does not require sole concentration; Voice IM forces me to give my undivided attention to the person on the other end. Honestly, if someone has something to say to me, I'd rather them give me a call - there's the psychological aspect of holding a phone held against your face, which gives conversations a more private feel than loudly shouting your conversation across your kitchen. When someone on Skype starts trying to call me, it's like a really annoying phone ringing.

[tromik]

Honestly, if someone has something to say to me, I'd rather them give me a call - there's the psychological aspect of holding a phone held against your face, which gives conversations a more private feel than loudly shouting your conversation across your kitchen. When someone on Skype starts trying to call me, it's like a really annoying phone ringing.

You can buy phones (http://www.skype.com/store/accessories/) that can be used with Skype or basically any ISP's VoIP, I assume.

[Kevin J Baird]

I'm like Mr. Voice over IP. I use Skype, and have a SkypeIN number. I use Sipphone, and have Vonage and AT&T Call Vantage. I have all of these at the same time... I also use Ventrillo for larger conferences, such as Super Group conversation in City of Heroes.

Skype has excellent voice quality. The 4 person conference feature is a big plus. Call Vantage had 10 person conferencing that was superior, but they now charge .35 cents a minute for it, so Skype is much better since it's free.

I like to use Skype while playing online titles with less tech savy friends. It doesn't take much to set it up, and it has been very reliable.

I have a friend from England who now lives in the U.S. and he keeps in touch with all his friends via Skype. It seems to be the choice way to communicate 1 on 1 over the net.

K