On Mon, 18 Sep 2006 11:54:15 +0100, John
<fredclark@consltec.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>people who use Skype are not typical of those who post to
>>this group because they don't care about technology, or make
>>detailed comparisons of calling rates. Most probably only
>>use it for calls to other subscribers, so the rates are of
>>no interest to them. They don't see Skype as a replacement
>>for landline telephony.
They might not do but that is the way Skype, and the manufacturers of
Skype hardware, some of it comparitively expensive, are trying to
play it. Sadly, being non-technical and ignorant of other services
they are being drawn into forking out for Skype hardware that does not
afford good value for the limited service provided by the unique Skype
protocol.

>>And, despite what some posters here claim, the Skype
>>PC-to-PC call quality is - for most subscribers - much
>>superior to anything they will have used before.
>
It is usually quite good but sometimes B awful.
>There is another incentive to subscribe to Skype for VOIP not mentioned
>here.
>As I understand it, internationally Skype have the largest registered
>VOIP subscriber base of all suppliers, and Skype to Skype calls are not
>charged.
Yes people are on the same system but to contact someone on Skype
their computer has to be switched on or you contact them on a standard
landline and they then have to boot up their computer - bit of a faff.
Your statement ignores the fact that most SIP VoIP subscribers can
contact most other SIP VoIP subscribers - check out sipbroker
http://tinyurl.com/lvtwm
A SIP VSP doesn't even have to have peering agreements for subscribers
to be able to contact subscribers with other VSPs.

>As well as being easy to set up, and allows web cams to see the other
>party, they allow conferencing.
Web cams: Yes, this is a positive for Skype.
>
>So ... WHY SKYPE?
>
>It is there, internationally subscribed to and works!
In my experience, for the most part it, does work well but it is not
exclusive by its international presence. There are hundreds of VoIP
service providers world wide. For a list check out sipbroker on
http://tinyurl.com/lvtwm
I have used Skype from time to time but it is not something I take
seriously.

Lastly, I am a SIP VoIP snob and I don't care :-) !!


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