Aren't ready to give up your trusted phone line, but still want to make free calls over the Internet? Then give Skype a try -- a peer-to-peer program from the makers of Kazaa that lets you talk to other Skype users using VoIP. It couldn't be easier to use, the calls are clear and the best part is, it's free.
The software is as easy to use as any instant messenger and lets you make free calls over the Internet using your desktop, notebook or handheld. All you need is a USB headset (or a microphone and speakers) to make and receive calls. You'll also need to get your friends to download Skype; like an instant messenger, calls can be made only between Skype users. The software is so easy to set up and use, however, that you shouldn't have a hard time selling them on Skype. Unlike FreeWorld Dialup, Skype is an integrated solution that combines service and software, resulting in unparalleled ease of use. After a quick download (the software is currently a beta version), you'll soon discover that Skype looks more like an IM client than a softphone. You sign up with a username rather than a phone number. There's no number pad; instead, you dial other Skype users by searching for their username or by clicking a name on a list of contacts. There's even an IM option, should you prefer typing to talking, and a conference-call function that lets you converse with up to four other people at once. A separate download, PocketSkype, gives a Pocket PC-based, Wi-Fi-enabled handheld the ability to act as an IM and make calls from any Wi-Fi hot spot. Call quality was very good in our trials; conversations between ZDNet editors in New York and San Francisco were crystal clear. There was only the slightest evidence of latency, but not nearly enough to interrupt the flow of the conversation. Impressive, too, is the fact that we had no trouble getting through our firewall for calls to Skype users outside our corporate network. Considering that the software is free, we were also surprised to find that it's ad-free. There is currently no support for Macs, but that hasn't stopped more than 15 million people from signing up for Skype. If you constantly find yourself sending instant messages or you'd just like to cut down on your long-distance bill, especially for international calls, be sure to check out Skype.Images
Member reviews
fast and easy to download, couldn't be simpler to use. Three- or four-person conferences show some degradation, but it's manageable.
- 9.30 out of 10
9.30 out of 10Excellent quality -- we regularly have conference calls between our US-based representative, my home in Preston, Lancs, UK and our head office in Cambridge, UK.
I'd hate to think what that would cost on conventional telephone lines.
- 9.00 out of 10
9.00 out of 10I've played with quite a lot of VOIP offerings over the years and this offers the clearest speech quality of the lot. I just need to find a practical use for it now!
- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10Excellent tool, shame it only works on XP. Quality is good on low- and high-speed lines.
- 9.00 out of 10
9.00 out of 10You can chat as easily as if you were sitting at the same table.
- 9.50 out of 10
9.50 out of 10We have been using Skype for 2 months. We have 4 offices in the UK, we have regular daily conference calls.
The quality is superb and we found the use of a Bluetooth wireles headset called Xcommunicator2 which has been designed for use in speech applications improved the voice quality. It is like having your meetings in the same room.
- 9.50 out of 10
9.50 out of 10Internet calling made easy, whether it's to other Skype users or, for roughly 2 cents a minute, to regular phones. Sound quality on my iMac during calls has been perfect, except for the occasional drop-out -- nothing worse than a typical cell phone call. It's a piece of cake to set up and use.
- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10Surprised at how good the quality is. PC to phone does vary at times, but once you get talking it is not a problem. Price is a big plus for long distance calls.
- 7.50 out of 10
7.50 out of 10- 6.00 out of 10
6.00 out of 10Very useful, affordable and reliable. I couldn't imagine it better, really.
- 9.00 out of 10
9.00 out of 10- 9.50 out of 10
9.50 out of 10- 9.00 out of 10
9.00 out of 10Skype is an excellent service -- most time can be free, and even when you pay it's very cheap to call all over the world. I hope all my friends will use this service. Heard about it here in ZDNet. Perhaps the national press need to write a story on this so it becomes even better known.
- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10I bought Skype Out credit, so that I could make calls to regular phones from my PC. Everything worked fine, until Skype decided to completely remove the ability to pay by credit cards that are issued in the US. Since I live overseas, the only option that I could have used was PayPal. That didn't work either, since Skype only has it available as beta. I was never able to make a purchase. Skype said I had to go to PayPal. PayPal said they couldn't help because I was in an "unapproved country" (Latvia). So, both companies left me with no options. Don't get me wrong. Skype has great sound quality... but that's it. I'm seriously displeased. Now, I have to go find another PC-to-phone solution.
- 7.00 out of 10
7.00 out of 10- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10- 6.50 out of 10
6.50 out of 10This is the best free VoIP I am aware of: it's simple to use and the quality is amazing. It has numerous tools like a messenger service and a file-sending service. I have been using this program for years and have never had a problem. Get it use it love it
- 9.50 out of 10
9.50 out of 10I run a sales team from the UK with team members across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. We all switched to Skype with little investment and actually prefer Skype to normal phones. Quite apart from the savings, the voice quality can actually be better using Skype than an international mobile to mobile call. SkypeOut is also very good because you can call anyone cheaply.
- 9.00 out of 10
9.00 out of 10To dial a landline or mobile or have to buy Skypeout credits. I tried this and 2 of my credit cards were refused. Looking at their forum it is a common problem. Customer service is none existant. Stay well clear of these jokers.
- 4.00 out of 10
4.00 out of 10- 10.00 out of 10
10.00 out of 10Too many problems with refused credit cards. Sure, catch those nasty "fraudsters", but getting a valid credit card refused when trying to buy 10 Euros of SkypeOut can be extremely frustrating. Especially if you travel between different countries or live in a country where credit card fraud is common, you are sure to run into this problem.
- 6.50 out of 10
6.50 out of 10apply to buy credit , wait for a confirmation number as you grow older and more frustrated you begin to realise that it's a wonderful idea but the reality falls short of the dream because of poor inferstructre
- 5.50 out of 10
5.50 out of 10- 9.00 out of 10
9.00 out of 10