Tell Us About Skype

[Texas Star]

Due to medical issues, I have had to quit my job and will be living on a greatly reduced income. I do draw Social Security, thank goodness.

Anyway, I'll either have to drop the Net or get a cheaper deal on it. A techie brother is trying to talk me into getting Skype for both Internet and phone service. I gather that Skype uses the telephone service off of the Net. He was vague about Skype.

I also understand that one has to wear a headset to use the phone. I like to walk from room to room, using my remote telephone handset when on long calls. The headset requires sitting at my computer console.

Also, when we've had the power go off in our area, all that worked was my landline. I used it to call in to report the problem to the power company. If I have a health emergency (I have serious asthma), I want to call 911 regardless of whether the power might be out for the Net, TV, computer, refrigerator, etc. The last power outage lasted about nine hours!

Do any of you use Skype? How does it work, and are you pleased? What do you pay? Getting costs down is the main reason why I might consider it. I was told that one can get both phone service and the Net for some $30. The best that AT&T will offer was a deal for the phone and long distance service for about the same price, but another $30 for slow Net service.

The Filipina girl on the AT&T line told me (I think; there were language issues) that this Net service will be about a third the speed of my present DSL service. Present DSL will cost me $40. I hate to say it, but that ten bucks difference might be significant some months, even if I qualify for food stamps. My main bills beyond rent and utilities (which Social Security covers) will be for car expenses and the telephone and Internet, if I can manage to afford the latter, which is very important to me. And food, of course, and medicine. The VA supplies some meds at a good cost, but not all.

Anyway, do you use Skype? Any other ideas on how to cut costs and still have a phone and the Net? I do need reliability.

Thanks for any help you can suggest.

[andrewb70]

If you want to get rid of your regular wired home phone, you can look into the various IP phone solutions. Vonage has been around for years and offers good service for about 30 dollars per month for unlimited calling. Also check with your Internet service provider. Comcast, AT&T and many other ISPs offer IP phone solutions.

IP phone service will allow you to keep using your existing telephone equipment, but there are downsides. For instance, if the power goes out, so will your phone service. There are also various inconveniences with 911 service that you will have to read up on.

As for Skype, while it is a good for video and audio conferencing, you will still have to pay a fee if you use your computer to call a cell or regular home line.

Speaking of cell phones, why not use one exclusively?

Andrew

[diamonback68]

As far as I know I thought Skype wass free on the internet, all you need is a computer with a built in or attached camera and microphone.

[Texas Star]

Originally Posted by diamonback68

As far as I know I thought Skype wass free on the internet, all you need is a computer with a built in or attached camera and microphone.

I don't have a computer camera or mike.


Can anyone confirm that Skype charges for calls? That would be a big no-no.

[arjay]

Pc to pc is free,but you pay if you call a land line or a cell phone.Don't know the fees off hand.Might check their site for the details.

[Texas Star]

Originally Posted by andrewb70

If you want to get rid of your regular wired home phone, you can look into the various IP phone solutions. Vonage has been around for years and offers good service for about 30 dollars per month for unlimited calling. Also check with your Internet service provider. Comcast, AT&T and many other ISPs offer IP phone solutions.

IP phone service will allow you to keep using your existing telephone equipment, but there are downsides. For instance, if the power goes out, so will your phone service. There are also various inconveniences with 911 service that you will have to read up on.

As for Skype, while it is a good for video and audio conferencing, you will still have to pay a fee if you use your computer to call a cell or regular home line.

Speaking of cell phones, why not use one exclusively?

Andrew

I don't have a cell phone, and those who do get frequent breaks when towers have problems or other issues intervene, including low batteries.

I have a regular touch-tone phone on my desk and two units of rechargeable phones, from which I can take the phone and walk around.

[andrewb70]

Originally Posted by arjay

Pc to pc is free,but you pay if you call a land line or a cell phone.Don't know the fees off hand.Might check their site for the details.

That is correct. Skype is free to use from computer to computer, but there are fees when calling any actual phone number.

If you have no other means of communication I recommend that you keep your existing phone service. Even with an IP phone, the service is only as good or reliable as your Internet connection. I also suggest you get an old phone that doesn't need any external power to operate.

Andrew

[24spenser]

Skype is only free when calling another Skype person. Otherwise you prepay for minutes (2 cents per minute?)

In the OP's initial message, I got the impression he had been told that Skype will handle all of your internet stuff (web browsing, email etc. That is not true.

[Texas Star]

Originally Posted by andrewb70

That is correct. Skype is free to use from computer to computer, but there are fees when calling any actual phone number.

If you have no other means of communication I recommend that you keep your existing phone service. Even with an IP phone, the service is only as good or reliable as your Internet connection. I also suggest you get an old phone that doesn't need any external power to operate.

Andrew

Andrew-

Do you mean like a conventional desk phone with rotary or Touch-Tone? I bought my AT&T phone back in the 1980's and have newer remote phones that charge in the base and the handsets can be taken anywhere in my apartment. No cords, just batteries that recharge in the stands.

By "no external power", do you mean just a phone cord to the wall socket? I am inclined to agree that this is the safest means of communications. Probably more privacy secure than the Net, too. ??

[Texas Star]

Originally Posted by 24spenser

Skype is only free when calling another Skype person. Otherwise you prepay for minutes (2 cents per minute?)

In the OP's initial message, I got the impression he had been told that Skype will handle all of your internet stuff (web browsing, email etc. That is not true.

Thanks. I was given that very impression, and that it'd do anything that a real telephone will. (Except be reiable if the power goes out. The advisor ridiculed the "slight" possibility that I might need emergency help. I am less of an optimist. A reliable phone is, after all, potential emergency equipment.

[Strato]

I've never heard of Skype being an internet provider. As far as I know it's basically the same as Yahoo Instant Messenger which can also make phone calls for a fee

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Originally Posted by Texas Star

Also, when we've had the power go off in our area, all that worked was my landline. I used it to call in to report the problem to the power company. If I have a health emergency (I have serious asthma), I want to call 911 regardless of whether the power might be out for the Net, TV, computer, refrigerator, etc. The last power outage lasted about nine hours!

Okay, so you got to have landline service for emergency, period, right? I would get the cheapest landline service available. No long distance plan, no features like caller ID or anything, nothing. And the only time to use it would be for an emergency.

Originally Posted by Texas Star

I also understand that one has to wear a headset to use the phone. I like to walk from room to room, using my remote telephone handset when on long calls. The headset requires sitting at my computer console.

Magic Jack. No monthly bills, no nothing. You pay something like $40 for the MJ unit for two years of service. Talk as long as you want to anywhere you want, $Zero. People can call you on your own MJ phone number. You can plug your own remote phone base station into the MJ unit, and use your handset to walk around the house wirelessly just like you do now. I have it and it works 100% as advertised, crystal clear, comes with answering message software, caller ID and all the stuff a regular phone service has. You'll need Internet service.

Other options are Google Phone. It's just a part of the free Google Gmail service. You dial directly from your computer to anywhere you want and talk as long as you want $Zero. I use it all the time when I'm on the computer and want to make a quick call. No inbound calls. It's just a outbound calling service.

[Texas Star]

The brother may be telling me to get the Net, then use Skype to communicate with individuals. He sometimes doesn't explain things well at my technology level. And he may just not really grasp what's involved.

Skype's seemingly no different than Instant Messaging or sending e-mails, except that you talk!

A little scary...

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Originally Posted by Texas Star

The brother may be telling me to get the Net, then use Skype to communicate with individuals. He sometimes doesn't explain things well at my technology level. And he may just not really grasp what's involved.

Skype's seemingly no different than Instant Messaging or sending e-mails, except that you talk!

A little scary...

Skype works ok for computer to computer communication, but you pay to call someone on their phone. Might as well use Gmail Google Phone for free. Both Gmail and AOL IM have free Video Calling software.

[sipowicz]

TS, Skype is great for long distance, especially international. I pay about 2 cents per minute to call a New Zealand land line. I also used it from my ipad in NZ (with wireless connection) to keep in touch with folks back here. As for being tethered to your computer, there are phones that hook up to your PC that let you walk around the house. Still, at 2 cents a minute for calls to regular phones, it can add up, I would try and keep a basic service with no frills and use skype for all your long distance. You can also give your phone company a call and see if you can get basic service at a reduced rate...ATT does that for certain income levels out here.

Lifeline & Link Up and customer service - Wireless from AT&T

[ditrina]

Originally Posted by sipowicz

TS, Skype is great for long distance, especially international. I pay about 2 cents per minute to call a New Zealand land line. I also used it from my ipad in NZ (with wireless connection) to keep in touch with folks back here. As for being tethered to your computer, there are phones that hook up to your PC that let you walk around the house. Still, at 2 cents a minute for calls to regular phones, it can add up, I would try and keep a basic service with no frills and use skype for all your long distance. You can also give your phone company a call and see if you can get basic service at a reduced rate...ATT does that for certain income levels out here.

Lifeline & Link Up and customer service - Wireless from AT&T

ditrina "LIKES" this..

[sipowicz]

Thanks Sal...I also have it on my iphone. I call my father in law in NZ at his work computer when I am out with the kids and he can watch them run around...that's free too except for the minutes used...

[Texas Star]

Thanks, everyone. I'll see what AT&T says about a low rate , but I bet it's absolute minimal service. They seem real tightwads, greedy for the bucks. Just getting an American service rep who can communicate well and not waste time trying to talk me into their various "bundles" may require a lot of luck.

Probably no long distance, maybe only emergency calls. I make a lot of local calls, including doctor and VA calls and call my daughter, who lives about 25 miles away, but in this area code. I need my answering machine, but it'll work without Caller ID. I hate getting sales and political calls. If someone won't leave a message, the heck with it.

But my son lives farther than his sister, and I couldn't talk to him without long distance service. A dilemma...cost vs. need.
I really want to thank some of you who've PM'd ideas and good wishes.

[HAWKEYE10]

TS have your son call you on a regular basis. Tell him if he doesn't you are going to give him a whipping. That could save some bucks. Don

[quneur]

Skype is now owned by Microsoft. Anything they do will cost a fee. Voip (Voice over phone) is a technology that has been around for years. All of them require internet access; some may act as providers (Microsoft, Comcast, etc.) some may not. Those that do often bundle a package deal - internet & phone.

I used to have AT&T about 5-6 years ago (before Vonage). The quality was much better then early attempts (I don't recall the name). The service required a box (modem - router) which you plugged your lan line, phone and computer. I did buy a pre-paid cell phone for emergencies. This setup worked pretty well for a few years.

Other stuff which you want to look into. A medicare advantage program. There may be local programs which can greatly reduce healthcare costs. My program has $0 premiums and $0 deductibles - only co-pays. Medicare only covers 80%. The 20% you are responsible for can cost you $$$. My program will pay the brunt of it and make costs manageable.

Buy food in bulk. Mainly, those which you eat more often like breads, fruits, etc. Others stuff like condiments, I buy at grocery stores.

I use to work as a computer programmer and took a substantial hit when I got sick. Cobra payments wiped out any savings I had as I was in & out of the hospital for years. Money was tight but I stretched what dollars I had. Now, with a little work, quality of life is actually better. If I want something, I save up instead of buying right away. It does give me the freedom to shop around and wait for deals and allows me to really study the item; which wouldn't happen in the past. Usually when I buy it; I appreciate it more. Its the anticipation that's fun; like a kid on Christmas eve.

Be a smart shopper. Figure out what you need then look at options. I ask myself, "Do I really need this?" If I'm not passionate about it then it can wait. Its better not to have the burden of owning something then have it cluttering & sitting around.

Always, always, look at competitors prices.

[andrewb70]

Originally Posted by Texas Star

Andrew-

Do you mean like a conventional desk phone with rotary or Touch-Tone? I bought my AT&T phone back in the 1980's and have newer remote phones that charge in the base and the handsets can be taken anywhere in my apartment. No cords, just batteries that recharge in the stands.

By "no external power", do you mean just a phone cord to the wall socket? I am inclined to agree that this is the safest means of communications. Probably more privacy secure than the Net, too. ??

I don't think that rotary phones work on the present phone systems. The phones have to be touch tone. Your hands-free phone will not work unless it is plugged into a outlet. That is how it charges the batteries in the hand-set. So what I mean is you should get just a plain-old touch tone phone with a chord. Something like this:

Amazon.com: AT&T CL2939 Corded Phone, Black, 1 Handset: Electronics

These phones work even when the power to the house is down. You don't have to use it, just have it in case the power is out and you need to make a call on your land line.

Andrew

[PDL]

I use Skype. Computer to computer is free, the other folks don't have to have a Skype account. Also video to another single computer is free. You need internet access from someone whether it's DSL or cable or whatever.
If you want to call to any phone or cell phone in USA and Canada it will cost you $2.99 a month if you do the subscription thing. If you want to txt to a phone that costs more, but why bother. If you want to txt yahoo, microsoft and a bunch of others do that free
I talk thru my computer mike and video thru the built in camera. If you don't have one, you can get a webcam with mike for $20 at a computer store.
I keep a landline for local calls only, as well as any incoming calls. The other stuff goes thru Skype.

[quneur]

Rotary phones can still be used in most cases. You won't have the ability to do menus however ("please press one for ..."). POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) are still available in most homes. If you have a RJ11 phone jack and have service to that jack, any phone (digital or analog - rotary) will work.