I am thinking about using Skype - because almost everyone I know uses it
- and no-one I know uses anything else.
So there isn't much choice really.
Having said that, I feel guilty about mentioning Skype in this newsgroup
because it seems to be so despised. Is it OK to ask here?
Or is there a better newsgroup?
If it *is* acceptable to ask, then:
What's the best way to use it in a home-based way?
Netgear Wi-Fi?
VoSky Internet Phone Wizard?
Nokia 770 or 870?
Or just sit in front of the computer?
--
Chris
In article <BdYGEtCdCqdFFwnl@[127.0.0.1]>, Chris <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:
>I am thinking about using Skype - because almost everyone I know uses it
>- and no-one I know uses anything else.
>So there isn't much choice really.
Of-course there is. You fall-back to good old PSTN, then if they aren't
near their home/work phone or mobile, or don't have a SkypeIn service,
then you can't call them. You won't get free calls, you'll have to
pay for them in some way, either with a fixed monthly charge with an
"unlimited" or capped calling plan (eg. X minutes included in the plan),
or per minute, depending on the company you are dealing with for your
PSTN calls. (eg. BT, or a mobile company)
At least with BT you get a reasonable guarantee of service - you get
zero with Skype.
Or you could re-educate them.
>Having said that, I feel guilty about mentioning Skype in this newsgroup
>because it seems to be so despised. Is it OK to ask here?
I dunno. Skype is a voip, it's just not based on any published standards
so interoperability with standards based systems is hard, and and where
such bridges do exist they may well be proprietary and not free.
>Or is there a better newsgroup?
>If it *is* acceptable to ask, then:
>
>What's the best way to use it in a home-based way?
>Netgear Wi-Fi?
>VoSky Internet Phone Wizard?
>Nokia 770 or 870?
>Or just sit in front of the computer?
Who knows. The answer is probably "what you're most comfortable with".
"Chris" <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message
news:BdYGEtCdCqdFFwnl@[127.0.0.1]...
>I am thinking about using Skype - because almost everyone I know uses it -
>and no-one I know uses anything else.
> So there isn't much choice really.
>
> Having said that, I feel guilty about mentioning Skype in this newsgroup
> because it seems to be so despised. Is it OK to ask here?
> Or is there a better newsgroup?
> If it *is* acceptable to ask, then:
>
> What's the best way to use it in a home-based way?
> Netgear Wi-Fi?
> VoSky Internet Phone Wizard?
> Nokia 770 or 870?
> Or just sit in front of the computer?
> --
> Chris
Dualphone 3088 Cordless Skype Phone on sale on amazon uk
> Having said that, I feel guilty about mentioning Skype in this newsgroup
> because it seems to be so despised. Is it OK to ask here?
> Or is there a better newsgroup?
Skype is VoIP, this is a VoIP newsgroup. If anyone tells you otherwise, tell
them to fuck off.
> If it *is* acceptable to ask, then:
>
> What's the best way to use it in a home-based way?
> Netgear Wi-Fi?
> VoSky Internet Phone Wizard?
> Nokia 770 or 870?
> Or just sit in front of the computer?
That's a difficult question to answer, as it's really a matter of personal
preference. If you spend all your time on the PC, don't waste money on a
Skype handset. [I was amused to see in the Misco catalogue "FREE internet
phone calls!", next to a £138 Skype handset]. If you need to use Skype on
the go, buy a Skype handset. If you do a lot of stuff on the hoof, perhaps
a PDA would make more sense, as you can have Skype, SIP, email, instant
messaging clients et al in one device, for not a lot more than the cost of
a single-purpose Skype handset
--
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In article <1165409594.14689.0@proxy01.news.clara.net>, www.simcard.me.uk <webmaster@tariff.me.uk> writes
>"Chris" <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message
>news:BdYGEtCdCqdFFwnl@[127.0.0.1]...
>>I am thinking about using Skype - because almost everyone I know uses it -
>>and no-one I know uses anything else.
>> So there isn't much choice really.
>> Having said that, I feel guilty about mentioning Skype in this newsgroup
>> because it seems to be so despised. Is it OK to ask here?
>> Or is there a better newsgroup?
>> If it *is* acceptable to ask, then:
>> What's the best way to use it in a home-based way?
>> Netgear Wi-Fi?
>> VoSky Internet Phone Wizard?
>> Nokia 770 or 870?
>> Or just sit in front of the computer?
>Dualphone 3088 Cordless Skype Phone on sale on amazon uk
Thanks for your reply.
That looks good. http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/11...t_skype_first/
A bit expensive compared with the VoSky.
And I don't mind leaving a computer on.
But - is it good?
Have you tried it?
--
Chris
In article <1379258.qi4DKraNRX@ale.cx>, alexd <look@my.sig> writes
>Chris wrote:
>
>> Having said that, I feel guilty about mentioning Skype in this newsgroup
>> because it seems to be so despised. Is it OK to ask here?
>> Or is there a better newsgroup?
>
>Skype is VoIP, this is a VoIP newsgroup. If anyone tells you otherwise, tell
>them to fuck off.
>
>> If it *is* acceptable to ask, then:
>>
>> What's the best way to use it in a home-based way?
>> Netgear Wi-Fi?
>> VoSky Internet Phone Wizard?
>> Nokia 770 or 870?
>> Or just sit in front of the computer?
>
>That's a difficult question to answer, as it's really a matter of personal
>preference. If you spend all your time on the PC, don't waste money on a
>Skype handset. [I was amused to see in the Misco catalogue "FREE internet
>phone calls!", next to a £138 Skype handset]. If you need to use Skype on
>the go, buy a Skype handset. If you do a lot of stuff on the hoof, perhaps
>a PDA would make more sense, as you can have Skype, SIP, email, instant
>messaging clients et al in one device, for not a lot more than the cost of
>a single-purpose Skype handset
Thanks. I am always at home - not on the hoof at all.
But it's nice, when using my ordinary DECT phone, to be able to wander
round the house, make a cup of tea etc.
The Nokia 770 looks good because it would be an ebook reader as well.
Any thoughts on that?
And does it actually do Skype?
"Chris" <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message
news:rfNk6wCDMwdFFwC+@[127.0.0.1]...
> In article <1165409594.14689.0@proxy01.news.clara.net>, www.simcard.me.uk
> <webmaster@tariff.me.uk> writes
>>"Chris" <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote in message
>>news:BdYGEtCdCqdFFwnl@[127.0.0.1]...
>>>I am thinking about using Skype - because almost everyone I know uses
>>>it -
>>>and no-one I know uses anything else.
>>> So there isn't much choice really.
>>> Having said that, I feel guilty about mentioning Skype in this newsgroup
>>> because it seems to be so despised. Is it OK to ask here?
>>> Or is there a better newsgroup?
>>> If it *is* acceptable to ask, then:
>>> What's the best way to use it in a home-based way?
>>> Netgear Wi-Fi?
>>> VoSky Internet Phone Wizard?
>>> Nokia 770 or 870?
>>> Or just sit in front of the computer?
>
>>Dualphone 3088 Cordless Skype Phone on sale on amazon uk
>
> Thanks for your reply.
> That looks good.
> http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/11...t_skype_first/
> A bit expensive compared with the VoSky.
> And I don't mind leaving a computer on.
> But - is it good?
> Have you tried it?
> --
> Chris
Dualphone 3088 Cordless Skype Phone i used a few times seams ok to me. I
only just got it as Christmas present for someone so not gave it full test
yet.
In article <jvPmWgDIQwdFFwA5@[127.0.0.1]>, Chris <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:
>The Nokia 770 looks good because it would be an ebook reader as well.
>Any thoughts on that?
>And does it actually do Skype?
I have a 770. There are a couple of closed SIP clients for it (Gtalk,
Gizmo) I don't think there is a Skype client for it - and not sure if
there will be either.
But I don't think I'd like to use it to talk into anyway - you can plug in
headphones, but not a microphone, so have to use the built-in one, then
you'll look as silly as someone using a blackberry :)
In article <el73k2$s4d$1@lion.drogon.net>, Gordon Henderson
<gordon@lion.drogon.net> writes
>In article <jvPmWgDIQwdFFwA5@[127.0.0.1]>, Chris <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:
>>The Nokia 770 looks good because it would be an ebook reader as well.
>>Any thoughts on that?
>>And does it actually do Skype?
>I have a 770. There are a couple of closed SIP clients for it (Gtalk,
>Gizmo) I don't think there is a Skype client for it - and not sure if
>there will be either.
>But I don't think I'd like to use it to talk into anyway - you can plug in
>headphones, but not a microphone, so have to use the built-in one, then
>you'll look as silly as someone using a blackberry :)
No-one is going to see me - so that's not a problem!
I would have expected Skype to run on it - because it uses a Linux OS -
and I thought there was a Skype version for Linux?
Although it might be a bit of a pain if it's not packaged for that
particular distro.
I've just found all sorts of rumours about a successor to the 770, going
by the catchy name of 780, which gives me yet another reason to defer a
decision!
And I was very attracted to the 770.
Do you like yours?
--
Chris
On Wed, 6 Dec 2006 10:51:09 +0000, Chris <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:
>I am thinking about using Skype - because almost everyone I know uses it
>- and no-one I know uses anything else.
>So there isn't much choice really.
You are right that many people use Skype. I do chat to some people on
Skype, they like it and I am not out to change the world. I think that
it has its uses. However, it is just one form of telephonic
communication. The other simple choices are landline and SIP VOIP.
There are adapters that allow you to link to both landline and Skype
from the same handset. The adapter does have to be connected to a
computer that is switched on. It does mean though that you can use a
standard phone handset, even a cordless phone.
Quite separate from all that it is quite possible to use SIP voip for
you main usage as well as chat to some people on Skype using whatever
method you find best. Making use of both technologies is not mutually
exclusive.
I do think that Skype is not a technology to take seriously as a main
form of communication but it is OK in its place.
>
>Having said that, I feel guilty about mentioning Skype in this newsgroup
>because it seems to be so despised. Is it OK to ask here?
>Or is there a better newsgroup?
>If it *is* acceptable to ask, then:
Of course. There isn't a Skype newsgroup and I don't think that there
will be one.
>
>What's the best way to use it in a home-based way?
>Netgear Wi-Fi?
>VoSky Internet Phone Wizard?
>Nokia 770 or 870?
>Or just sit in front of the computer?
I mentioned an alternative above but it really depends on what suits
you best. Skype really isn't worth spending a lot of money on - it is,
in my view, OK as a 'toy' to play around with but not as a mainstay
of communication.
Remove 'no_spam_' from email address.
Chris wrote:
> I would have expected Skype to run on it - because it uses a Linux OS -
> and I thought there was a Skype version for Linux?
There is a version of Skype for Linux, but onyl for i386 compatible
systems. The 770 runs a variant of Debian, with an ARM processor, so no
pre-packaged skype for it unless they decide to support ARM processors.
On 2006-12-06, Chris <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:
> I am thinking about using Skype - because almost everyone I know uses it
> - and no-one I know uses anything else.
> So there isn't much choice really.
It sounds like you are simply after Skype-to-Skype calls between you and
your friends and calls to and from the PSTN are not a priority for you.
> Having said that, I feel guilty about mentioning Skype in this newsgroup
> because it seems to be so despised. Is it OK to ask here?
Of course it is. That is why it has voip added to the uk.telecom bit.
> Or is there a better newsgroup?
No.
> If it *is* acceptable to ask, then:
>
> What's the best way to use it in a home-based way?
> Netgear Wi-Fi?
You'll want this if you don't have your computer on all the time. It's
about 30 GBP more than the DualPhone 3088. Add on the price of a
wireless router if you don't have one. Reportedly, the call quality is
good.
> VoSky Internet Phone Wizard?
Can be had for less than 25 GBP. Plug in a cordless phone and you're all
set to wander round the house chatting. I've used something similar, the
TelBox, and that worked fine.
> Nokia 770 or 870?
The 770 does lots of things but Skype isn't one of them. The 870 doesn't
exist as a consumer product. If and when it does there still may not be
a port of Skype to run on it. Cross these two off your list.
> Or just sit in front of the computer?
The VoSky gives you mobility at a much lower cost than the Netgear
SPH101 but if tethering yourself to the computer is what you want you
can do better than microphone and headphones. Get along to Aldi. Buy the
Tevion Internet Phone they have on offer this week for 9.99 GBP. Open
the packet and dispose of the call voucher and disk. Have fun setting it
up after going to www.yealink.com.
In article <3tjfn2ptu0glm01e8vvfkbj0tcpnr5l5a6@4ax.com>,
Geoff <me@privacy.net> wrote:
>On Wed, 6 Dec 2006 11:06:43 +0000 (UTC), gordon@lion.drogon.net
>(Gordon Henderson) wrote:
>
>>In article <BdYGEtCdCqdFFwnl@[127.0.0.1]>, Chris <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:
>>>I am thinking about using Skype - because almost everyone I know uses it
>>>- and no-one I know uses anything else.
>>>So there isn't much choice really.
>>
>>Of-course there is. You fall-back to good old PSTN, then if they aren't
>>near their home/work phone or mobile, or don't have a SkypeIn service,
>>then you can't call them. You won't get free calls, you'll have to
>>pay for them in some way, either with a fixed monthly charge with an
>>"unlimited" or capped calling plan (eg. X minutes included in the plan),
>>or per minute, depending on the company you are dealing with for your
>>PSTN calls. (eg. BT, or a mobile company)
>>
>>At least with BT you get a reasonable guarantee of service - you get
>>zero with Skype.
>
>Rubbish. I've never had any problems with Skype yet with three VOIP
>systems I had problems
What's rubbish? I was talking about BT - you're talking about "VOIP". My
statement stands - with BT you can call someone with Skype you have
no-one to call when something goes wrong.
In article <3$BjyTFxoxdFFwTs@[127.0.0.1]>, Chris <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:
>In article <el73k2$s4d$1@lion.drogon.net>, Gordon Henderson
><gordon@lion.drogon.net> writes
>>In article <jvPmWgDIQwdFFwA5@[127.0.0.1]>, Chris <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:
>
>>>The Nokia 770 looks good because it would be an ebook reader as well.
>>>Any thoughts on that?
>>>And does it actually do Skype?
>
>>I have a 770. There are a couple of closed SIP clients for it (Gtalk,
>>Gizmo) I don't think there is a Skype client for it - and not sure if
>>there will be either.
>>But I don't think I'd like to use it to talk into anyway - you can plug in
>>headphones, but not a microphone, so have to use the built-in one, then
>>you'll look as silly as someone using a blackberry :)
>
>No-one is going to see me - so that's not a problem!
>I would have expected Skype to run on it - because it uses a Linux OS -
>and I thought there was a Skype version for Linux?
I understand it's to do with the particular graphics widget toolset not
being ported to the platform more than anything else...
>Although it might be a bit of a pain if it's not packaged for that
>particular distro.
>I've just found all sorts of rumours about a successor to the 770, going
>by the catchy name of 780, which gives me yet another reason to defer a
>decision!
>And I was very attracted to the 770.
>Do you like yours?
Yes, but it has little practical use to me - I use it to find WiFi
hotspots as my Nokia 9500 sometimes is a bit flakey when using WiFi on
it. I got it on the promise of a VoIP client being avalable for it -
turns out they basically lied (unless there is a new "unlocked" client
I'm not aware of) and I don't have time to write an IAX based one myself
(although you can run Asterisk natively on it and use the on-board sound
hardware to place a call, but that seems overkill to me!)
It's a fun little toy and an excellent demonstration of technology,
but I find tapping on a virtual keyboard a PITA and being left-handed
I've never manged to get any sort of writing recognition working on it
(or anything else for that matter) and it's not really setup, button
position-wise for a left-hander anyway.
In article <el8ovo$2uu$1@lion.drogon.net>, Gordon Henderson
<gordon@lion.drogon.net> writes
>I got it on the promise of a VoIP client being avalable for it - turns
>out they basically lied
Although it does say on the Nokia site that there is Gizmo and Google
installed or available for it. That wouldn't suit me for talking to
someone who uses Skype - but it might suit you?
--
Chris
In article <ARdUJpAfq$dFFw3K@[127.0.0.1]>, Chris <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:
>In article <el8ovo$2uu$1@lion.drogon.net>, Gordon Henderson
><gordon@lion.drogon.net> writes
>>I got it on the promise of a VoIP client being avalable for it - turns
>>out they basically lied
>
>Although it does say on the Nokia site that there is Gizmo and Google
>installed or available for it. That wouldn't suit me for talking to
>someone who uses Skype - but it might suit you?
I want it to connect directly to my own SIP servers which can peer with
many other SIP/IAX servers as well as let me connect to the PSTN, and
not be locked into their own systems. Maybe they now let you do that,
I haven't looked for a few months, but when I did look, you were tied into
their own little private system. Great if all your friends, customers
and enemies use Gizmo or gTalk, not so great otherwise. Why people are
so narrow minded is beyond me. (although it probably boils down to money!)
Not an issue now though as I bought an SIP based WiFi mobile recently. The
down-side of that is that without a web-browser you can't connect via
various web frontended systems (eg. BT openwallet, etc.)
"Geoff" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:7qjfn253tgp4o79c9i6977gecasrkt705p@4ax.com
> On Wed, 6 Dec 2006 10:51:09 +0000, Chris
> <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:
>
> > I am thinking about using Skype - because almost
> > everyone I know uses it - and no-one I know uses
> > anything else.
> > So there isn't much choice really.
> >
> > Having said that, I feel guilty about mentioning Skype
> > in this newsgroup because it seems to be so despised.
> > Is it OK to ask here?
>
> Yes, ignore the techie nerds, they arent happy if they
> dont have innumerable threads explaining how to get VOIP
> setup and are annoyed that skype works so well
I'm not annoyed that it works, I'm annoyed I can't use it with an ATA like
every other service I use.
In article <1165511656.410586.103900@f1g2000cwa.googlegroups. com>, PhilT
<newsnet@gmail.com> writes
>On Dec 6, 10:51 am, Chris <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:
>> Or is there a better newsgroup?
> "Geoff" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
> news:7qjfn253tgp4o79c9i6977gecasrkt705p@4ax.com
>> Yes, ignore the techie nerds, they arent happy if they
>> dont have innumerable threads explaining how to get VOIP
>> setup and are annoyed that skype works so well
>
> I'm not annoyed that it works, I'm annoyed I can't use it with an ATA like
> every other service I use.
As has been pointed out to you on several occasions, using an ATA with Skype
makes little sense, so you annoyance seems somewhat irrational.
--
<http://ale.cx/> (AIM:troffasky) (UnSoEsNpEaTm@ale.cx)
12:09:13 up 18 days, 15:51, 2 users, load average: 0.00, 0.00, 0.00
This is my BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMSTICK
"alexd" <look@my.sig> wrote in message
news:1241796.fWCBxSF8rE@ale.cx
> Ivor Jones wrote:
>
> > "Geoff" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
> > news:7qjfn253tgp4o79c9i6977gecasrkt705p@4ax.com
>
> > > Yes, ignore the techie nerds, they arent happy if they
> > > dont have innumerable threads explaining how to get
> > > VOIP setup and are annoyed that skype works so well
> >
> > I'm not annoyed that it works, I'm annoyed I can't use
> > it with an ATA like every other service I use.
>
> As has been pointed out to you on several occasions,
> using an ATA with Skype makes little sense, so you
> annoyance seems somewhat irrational.
It makes perfect sense. I wish to use my existing telephone system, not a
computer, to make and receive phone calls. If I should wish to call
someone on Skype, I cannot do this. Doesn't that make sense to you..?
On Wed, 6 Dec 2006 17:58:39 +0000, Chris <nospam@[127.0.0.1]> wrote:
>Hmmm ... I hoped to contact someone who *does* actually know!
One of the problems with skype is that it is a closed proprietary
system. You can only get service from one supplier and only limited
technical details are available.
It is non-standard, and calls to other VOIP systems (which will be all
phone lines soon) require decoding and recoding.
Skype steals bandwidth to get round NAT addressing, and is generally a
bit scurrilous.
Yes, it is easy to set up at home, but that's where the advantages
end.
In article <5gbin25r0re3vo33ccd7oo6rsf5l89qg0i@4ax.com>, hairydog@despammed.com writes
>Skype steals bandwidth to get round NAT addressing, and is generally a
>bit scurrilous.
Could you expand on this a bit, please.
In particular, do I need to give server rights?
And do I need to have UPnP on in the router?
--
Chris
> "alexd" <look@my.sig> wrote in message
> news:1241796.fWCBxSF8rE@ale.cx
>> As has been pointed out to you on several occasions,
>> using an ATA with Skype makes little sense, so you
>> annoyance seems somewhat irrational.
> It makes perfect sense. I wish to use my existing telephone system, not a
> computer, to make and receive phone calls. If I should wish to call
> someone on Skype, I cannot do this. Doesn't that make sense to you..?
How are you going to call someone on your Skype buddy list from a 12-button
handset plugged into your antediluvian phone system?
--
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Ivor Jones wrote:
> "alexd" <look@my.sig> wrote in message
> news:1241796.fWCBxSF8rE@ale.cx
>> As has been pointed out to you on several occasions,
>> using an ATA with Skype makes little sense, so you
>> annoyance seems somewhat irrational.
>
> It makes perfect sense. I wish to use my existing telephone system, not a
> computer, to make and receive phone calls. If I should wish to call
> someone on Skype, I cannot do this. Doesn't that make sense to you..?
"alexd" <look@my.sig> wrote in message
news:2060578.BfKK9HhBKJ@ale.cx
> Ivor Jones wrote:
>
> > "alexd" <look@my.sig> wrote in message
> > news:1241796.fWCBxSF8rE@ale.cx
>
> > > As has been pointed out to you on several occasions,
> > > using an ATA with Skype makes little sense, so you
> > > annoyance seems somewhat irrational.
>
> > It makes perfect sense. I wish to use my existing
> > telephone system, not a computer, to make and receive
> > phone calls. If I should wish to call someone on Skype,
> > I cannot do this. Doesn't that make sense to you..?
>
> How are you going to call someone on your Skype buddy
> list from a 12-button handset plugged into your
> antediluvian phone system?
"Paul Cupis" <paul@cupis.co.uk> wrote in message
news:elc6ap$6m0$1@news.freedom2surf.net
> Ivor Jones wrote:
> > "alexd" <look@my.sig> wrote in message
> > news:1241796.fWCBxSF8rE@ale.cx
>
> > > As has been pointed out to you on several occasions,
> > > using an ATA with Skype makes little sense, so you
> > > annoyance seems somewhat irrational.
> >
> > It makes perfect sense. I wish to use my existing
> > telephone system, not a computer, to make and receive
> > phone calls. If I should wish to call someone on Skype,
> > I cannot do this. Doesn't that make sense to you..?
>
> You can if they have a "skype-in" number.
But this will not be a free call, it will be charged. It definitely
doesn't make sense to dial a PSTN number when one can (or should be able
to) call a VoIP system independently of the PSTN.
What if you *have* to use Skype? 
Linear Mode
