Fishin.com Question

[fishbum]

I recently found Skype.com which is an online phone system that allows you to make calls inside the US to other skype users for free.. Recently they began offering unlimited phone calls inside the US and Canada for $14.95 for a year (offer ends January 31, 2007) and goes to $29.95 after that..
Neat thing is that when you down load the software all phone numbers on your Explorer Browser (I am using 7.0) show up with a clickable link to make the call just by clicking on the link. Even has a flag to show the country so you dont make any international calls by mistake.
NO Emergency calling so it will not replace Ma Bell for a while..
QUESTION IS: How many of you are using Skype?
Do you believe being able to call using your computer by clicking a link is a convenience.
This would allow you to call fishing guides, resorts like Horse Creek that advertise on the site right from the fishing report or link.
Jim Dicken

[know1]

I would use Skype before I'd pay for any landline phone because it's cheaper, but you're still limited by needing an internet connection, computer and the Skype software wherever you happen to be. Because of that limitation, most people still need cellphones and once you have one of those, why would you pay for another type of phone?

I'm more interested by yesterday's announcements from the Skype folks regarding their plans for free internet television. I've already signed up to be a beta tester. It's going to be called Joost.

[JimDicken]

HOW DO I SIGN UP?
Jim
PS they now have Wireless phones you can use anyplace there is a wireless system.. Great for businesses that send folks to a lot of hotels that have wireless computer links, and now most Truck Stops have wireless for the Truckers.

[Moose1am]

Voice communications via the Internet using data packets has been around a very long time. Back in 1996 I found a online game that used voice communications inside the game. Team Speak, Roger Wilco and a few others have been around for over ten years now. All you need to know is the other persons IP address and you can get them on the Team speak software and talk to them for FREE. This software will allow as many as 10 people to talk to each other at the same time. It works best with just two or four peole unless you dedicate a good server to the base unit.

I've talked to people all over the world using this software. From Canada to Australia all the way over to Moscow Russia.

The main problem with Internet phones is the latency or data packet loss that in inherent to this type of phone system.

MS had a free version of this software that you could use to actually dial someone's phone using your computer and the software. I tried it a few weeks before they started charging for the service. I as able to call my relatives in Louisville, KY; Nashville, TN, and down in Ft Meyers, Florida. The software still have times when a few words were missing and then there was latency where it took a few seconds for the voice to be transmitted and received on the other end.

This was about 5 or 6 years ago when I last used the Free MS version of this voip type software.

So I too am curious as to if the technology is any better these days than it was in the past?

You only have so much bandwidth to play with even on a broadband connection.

Maybe it works better with DSL connections? But using this stuff with a dial up connection would be hard for me to see.
Regards,

Moose1am

[MsgMills]

I got the info from the Gaming Clan I'm in and we use it to call everyone in our clan when gaming questions arise. It is very helpful, and makes sending files and other Pc related folders and etc. a lot easier than emailing them.... Go to www.skype.com Look for the free version and try it, everyone has their own opinion about it, but you might just like it...Saves on Long distance phone calls if you don't have a lot of minutes on a cell phone package and need the long distance service. I have talked to clan members as far away as The Netherlands and Ottawa Canada.... I like it....:7

[MrSplitshot]

Since my company shelled out a small fortune for an internet based phone system that works about 50% of the time, anytime the words "internet" and "phone" are used in the same sentence, a tiny dagger-like pain is felt in my gut.

The only person I'm going to struggle through a conversation with is a 9-1-1 operator. Free or not, if it's anyone else on the end of the line and words start missing and signal starts getting weak and it sounds like a cat in a blender, I'll hang up on ya, that's guaranteed. We can talk later. lol I'm just not a fan of internet phone.

I'll stick with Verizon cellular service...really don't need a home phone anymore. They have the best cell phone coverage out there, in my opinion.