On Sat, 16 Sep 2006 19:26:17 GMT, Brian A
<no_spam_bca1000@hotmail.com> wrote:

>On Sat, 16 Sep 2006 11:00:07 GMT, "radioham" <nospam@nospam.com>
>wrote:
>
>>Watching a BBC prog yesterday featuring new generation handset, either skype
>>or sip compatible. Skype is one of the most expensive voip carriers yet
>>everyone thinks it is the dogs boxxox ?. IS it they are just clever at
>>marketing.
>You could say that. After all they have conned plenty of people into
>thinking that they offer cheap calls. The big advantage that Skype
>have is that you install the software and it works - it works quite
>well too. As far as most people who use Skype are concerned that is it
>- if you want to talk to people over the Net you have to use Skype.
>Some may see ads. from Vonage but dismiss it because they think Skype
>is cheaper. The really big con is where people are persuaded to part
>with big money for WiFi devices to operate Skype.
>Most of the public, who use computers at home, are not very technical.
>If they can get as far as installing Skype, and it works, then that is
>the fullest extent that they will go.
>Skype has its uses but, personally, I don't have a lot of time for it
>and I certainly wouldn't spend any money on it.
>If some of the smaller voip companies could afford to advertise the
>way that Vonage and Skype do, and offer a ready set up device, they
>may have more success. Until then, I for one, will grow more
>frustrated at the ignorance and apparent foolishness of those who
>spend their money on expensive hardware to run Skype.
>Remove 'no_spam_' from email address.

I don't normally use Skype but it does have it's uses.

We were on holiday in Canada over the summer and used SkypeOut to
call home. We could have used the hotel phones or even a calling card
but that would have cost a lot more money.

The easist solution we found was to pack the laptop (which always gets
packed for holidays anyway) and a mic-headset and use SkypeOut.

Sure, we could have taken an ATA and a phone and plugged it all into
the laptop (the hotel provided free wifi access) but that would have
been extra equipment to take and extra hassle to configure.

The missus phoned her mother every day (she tends to do that when on
holday for some reason) and by the end the total amount spent on calls
was less than £2, which I certainly don't grudge paying.

All in all, it worked pretty well and was damn cheap. Maybe not the
cheapest but the most convenient. Having said that, we don't normally
use it at home but will definately use it next time we are away from
home.