Tell me about Skype...

rizzle · 04-02-2009, 05:19 PM

I know a quite a few of you use it. What is it's primary purpose? Video capabilities? Etc.

Thinking of using it as a means of allowing the grandparents to see and talk to the grandkids. Opinions? Do I need to buy a webcam? Suggestions?

Thanks.

markem · 04-02-2009, 05:21 PM

http://skype.com/

If you want people to see you, then you need a camera, otherwise, no. A headset is highly recommended to avoid speaker/microphone feedback.

marge796 · 04-02-2009, 05:38 PM

I have used it for nearly 3 years as I work overseas. Never had a problem with Skype. I don't know a lot about the video features you asked about but the over all phone service is top notch and cheap.

G G · 04-02-2009, 05:46 PM

I use it primarily for long distance phone calls. $40 annually for unlimited long distance. Bought a box from walmart that lets me use my cordless phone to make skype calls as well as regular phone line.

hotreds · 04-02-2009, 05:53 PM

Use it to video call my folks in Va. It's WONDERFUL! You do need a high speed connection and a camera.(Unless you're using a laptop that comes with one!)

Highly recommended!

Sailkat · 04-02-2009, 06:36 PM

It is a great way for grandparents to see the grandkids!

We set my Mom up so she can see her two year old grandson, TJ. We set up a web cam for her and my brother has one in his laptop. Grandma and Grandson have a great time! She reads TJ stories, he shows her his toys and sings songs and they talk. It's let them have a relationship they would not have had because of the distance and let my Mom watch him grow up. TJ sometimes tells his Dad he wants to play with Grandma ......meaning to get her on Skype.

My Mom is VERY low tech and once we got it set up, she is able to do it.

ucubed · 04-02-2009, 07:16 PM

Video Conference any Conference calls are for free. Video is 1 on 1 while conference calls are as many people as you want. You all should join the skype crew, more in particular the late night crew. Add Kevin Wu - ucubed and I can add you in into the skype text chat room. Someone is on at all ours of the day and our calls last anywhere from late afternoon until 6 A.M.

St. Lou Stu · 04-02-2009, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rizzle

I know a quite a few of you use it. What is it's primary purpose? Video capabilities? Etc.

Thinking of using it as a means of allowing the grandparents to see and talk to the grandkids. Opinions? Do I need to buy a webcam? Suggestions?

Thanks.

Works perfectly for the above..... that is what I use it for.
Ya need a webcam with a microphone for best results.
I also use it to see my rugrat when I travel abroad....... voice calls are cheap too. I think I paid $.025/minute from Japan to the US for phone calls.
Perfect sound and picture in my experience.
Make sure that both computers (send and receive) are fast enough and have enough memory. Skype publishes the minimum requirements.... a lil more is nice.

Video was even spot on overseas.

Any questions.... shoot me a PM.

Tim

floydp · 04-02-2009, 07:36 PM

Been using it for FNSH for the better part of four years. One of the first pieces of software I add to a new personal confuser(PC).

Sailchaser · 04-02-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floydp

Been using it for FNSH for the better part of four years. One of the first pieces of software I add to a new personal confuser(PC).

Frank is the "MASTER HOSTER" of skype

Starchild · 04-02-2009, 08:20 PM

We set Skype up so my parents could see their granddaughter. It works great! We bought a logitech camera for about $40 and got one for my parents. I recently got a new laptop with a built in camera and it's really convenient. The best thing I figured out was to put the laptop on a lazy susan on the coffee table. It makes it a lot easier to keep my 1 year old on camera. It's gotten to where any time I have the computer out, she won't keep away because she thinks she gets to see her Oma and Opa.

Other than buying a camera, it's free! How can you beat that.

The built in mic works fine, and my Dad is working on trying to record the sessions from their end.

BlackDog · 04-02-2009, 08:28 PM

We used Skype when my daughter was in Africa last year. Our laptop has a camera, and the one she had in Africa did too. Worked really slick.

rizzle · 04-03-2009, 09:20 AM

Sounds like it is exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for your replies.

Smoking Dragon · 04-03-2009, 09:29 AM

I found SKYPE while I was in Iraq. I used it to call home from my room. It was like really cheap for unlimited calls to the U.S. It saved lots of money from using the calling cards.

Sarge

68TriShield · 04-03-2009, 12:27 PM

Stay away from Skype,very far away.....

Buickman58 here.

04-03-2009, 12:38 PM

Word on the street is that they banned Dave.

68TriShield · 04-03-2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahc4353

Word on the street is that they banned Dave.

Darn bean spillers

Don Fernando · 04-03-2009, 01:04 PM

I use it a lot to communicate with my friends on the other side of the world.

mithrilG60 · 04-03-2009, 01:07 PM

We use to to talk to my finacee's parents since long distance rates to Vanuatu are $1.49/min

Works perfectly. We also occasionally use it for vid conferences to see our nieces in NZ.

04-02-2009, 05:19 PM	#1
rizzle Order Restored Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: st pete, fl Posts: 2,679 Trading: (23)	Tell me about Skype... I know a quite a few of you use it. What is it's primary purpose? Video capabilities? Etc. Thinking of using it as a means of allowing the grandparents to see and talk to the grandkids. Opinions? Do I need to buy a webcam? Suggestions? Thanks.

04-02-2009, 05:21 PM	#2
markem Bunion Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Second Star on the Right Posts: 22,625 Trading: (47)	Re: Tell me about Skype... http://skype.com/ If you want people to see you, then you need a camera, otherwise, no. A headset is highly recommended to avoid speaker/microphone feedback. __________________ I refuse to belong to any organization that would have me as a member. ~ Groucho Marx

04-02-2009, 05:38 PM	#3
marge796 It Just Doesn’t Matter!!! Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Chris Location: Topeka KS Posts: 1,624 Trading: (28)	Re: Tell me about Skype... I have used it for nearly 3 years as I work overseas. Never had a problem with Skype. I don't know a lot about the video features you asked about but the over all phone service is top notch and cheap. __________________ “Don’t talk to me about naval tradition. It’s nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash.” -Sir Winston Churchill

04-02-2009, 05:46 PM	#4
G G BR549 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Taylor, FL. Posts: 12,730 Trading: (10)	Re: Tell me about Skype... I use it primarily for long distance phone calls. $40 annually for unlimited long distance. Bought a box from walmart that lets me use my cordless phone to make skype calls as well as regular phone line.

04-02-2009, 05:53 PM	#5
hotreds Ephesians 2:8 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5 miles past "Resume Speed" Posts: 11,665 Trading: (63)	Re: Tell me about Skype... Use it to video call my folks in Va. It's WONDERFUL! You do need a high speed connection and a camera.(Unless you're using a laptop that comes with one!) Highly recommended! __________________ God loves you so much, that he made you read this, just to let you know.

04-02-2009, 06:36 PM	#6
Sailkat Smooth sailing Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Kat Location: St. Clair Shores, MI Posts: 638 Trading: (5)	Re: Tell me about Skype... It is a great way for grandparents to see the grandkids! We set my Mom up so she can see her two year old grandson, TJ. We set up a web cam for her and my brother has one in his laptop. Grandma and Grandson have a great time! She reads TJ stories, he shows her his toys and sings songs and they talk. It's let them have a relationship they would not have had because of the distance and let my Mom watch him grow up. TJ sometimes tells his Dad he wants to play with Grandma ......meaning to get her on Skype. My Mom is VERY low tech and once we got it set up, she is able to do it. __________________ "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde

04-02-2009, 07:16 PM	#7
ucubed Corona Cigars Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Kevin Location: Orlando/Gainesville Posts: 1,571 Trading: (15)	Re: Tell me about Skype... Video Conference any Conference calls are for free. Video is 1 on 1 while conference calls are as many people as you want. You all should join the skype crew, more in particular the late night crew. Add Kevin Wu - ucubed and I can add you in into the skype text chat room. Someone is on at all ours of the day and our calls last anywhere from late afternoon until 6 A.M. __________________ All new Troop Support Auctions! What can you donate?

04-02-2009, 07:36 PM	#9
floydp Team of 11 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Frank Location: Here behind my wall Posts: 939 Trading: (0)	Re: Tell me about Skype... Been using it for FNSH for the better part of four years. One of the first pieces of software I add to a new personal confuser(PC). __________________ Waiting for the Worms to come.

04-02-2009, 08:20 PM	#11
Starchild SERENITY NOW! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Andre Location: Fernandina Beach, Fl Posts: 553 Trading: (11)	Re: Tell me about Skype... We set Skype up so my parents could see their granddaughter. It works great! We bought a logitech camera for about $40 and got one for my parents. I recently got a new laptop with a built in camera and it's really convenient. The best thing I figured out was to put the laptop on a lazy susan on the coffee table. It makes it a lot easier to keep my 1 year old on camera. It's gotten to where any time I have the computer out, she won't keep away because she thinks she gets to see her Oma and Opa. Other than buying a camera, it's free! How can you beat that. The built in mic works fine, and my Dad is working on trying to record the sessions from their end. __________________ Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time - Steven Wright

04-02-2009, 08:28 PM	#12
BlackDog Gonna make you groove... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Warren Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 2,468 Trading: (19)	Re: Tell me about Skype... We used Skype when my daughter was in Africa last year. Our laptop has a camera, and the one she had in Africa did too. Worked really slick. __________________ "We live in the good of this."

04-03-2009, 09:20 AM	#13
rizzle Order Restored Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: st pete, fl Posts: 2,679 Trading: (23)	Re: Tell me about Skype... Sounds like it is exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for your replies.

04-03-2009, 09:29 AM	#14
Smoking Dragon formerly sergeant smoky Join Date: Dec 2008 First Name: John Location: Maryland Posts: 648 Trading: (67)	Re: Tell me about Skype... I found SKYPE while I was in Iraq. I used it to call home from my room. It was like really cheap for unlimited calls to the U.S. It saved lots of money from using the calling cards. Sarge

04-03-2009, 12:27 PM	#15
68TriShield Got Torque? Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Dave Location: Maryland Posts: 7,194 Trading: (40)	Re: Tell me about Skype... Stay away from Skype,very far away..... Buickman58 here.

04-03-2009, 12:38 PM	#16
ahc4353 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Tell me about Skype... Word on the street is that they banned Dave.

04-03-2009, 01:04 PM	#18
Don Fernando Postwhore Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ferdinand Location: Singapore Posts: 10,070 Trading: (29)	Re: Tell me about Skype... I use it a lot to communicate with my friends on the other side of the world. __________________ check out my reviews on my blog.

04-03-2009, 01:07 PM	#19
mithrilG60 Feeling at Home Join Date: Dec 2008 First Name: Geoff Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 733 Trading: (2)	Re: Tell me about Skype... We use to to talk to my finacee's parents since long distance rates to Vanuatu are $1.49/min Works perfectly. We also occasionally use it for vid conferences to see our nieces in NZ.