Just download it and enjoy the benefits Maura.

It's excellent, and there are no problems with it at all.

Dave


P.S. I think you might do better in the Computer forum, so I'll move you there. :wink:

 

Go for it Maura, we use it all the time, it's the only way we can see our grandaughter in Australia.
IT'S EXCELLENT

 

Maura

we use Skype all the time for text chat and as a phone and (if the connection is good enough) with video. We have a son & his family in California and we chatted with video on Saturday on our grandson's 8th birthday 8) . It's easy to set up & you can only speak to someone who is on your list, and who have you on their list, so no rubbish calls. We tend to keep ours off line until we want to use it.

 

YUP - free as in free beer!

We use it regularly to chat with our grandchildren in New Zealand and friends at the other end of the UK - if the connection is fast enough, we can do it with video too.

Go for it - you certainly will soon wonder what you did without it.

Colin

[EDIT - our fiends are now friends! ]

 

agree with all of the above, free calls, free video calls (Computer to computer) and if you put some credit on there as well you can call mobiles and land lines very cheap from all over the world.
You can get skype on a lot of mobile phones now too, even if you are not on wifi.

 

See - thats why I LOVE this website
So many replies and instantly, you are lovely lovely people, thank you sooooo much.

Now then, what next.....do I need anything to use this service - like a handset? I am using a fairly new Acer Aspire laptop (Vista) and IE8. I have just been reading some posts on here where they were talking about using the BT Agile handset.............do I need one of them?

Thanks again.
Maura

 

as long as you have mic and speakers in your pc then it will work, you may need a camera if you havent got one built in for video calls.

Now stop messing about, download it and get calling

 

Depends on what you computer has, mine has a camera and mike built into the computer if not you will need a microphone and may be some head phones or use the speakers on the computer.

If you want a camera then make sure it is skype compatible.

Only down load from skype the latest version is 5.1 some sites charge for the down load even though it is free from skype.

Andy

 

See - thats why I LOVE this website
So many replies and instantly, you are lovely lovely people, thank you sooooo much.

Now then, what next.....do I need anything to use this service - like a handset? I am using a fairly new Acer Aspire laptop (Vista) and IE8. I have just been reading some posts on here where they were talking about using the BT Agile handset.............do I need one of them?

Thanks again.
Maura

The recent Acer Aspire laptops / netbooks have a camera and mic built in...it will be at the top of the screen surround, in the centre, pointing back at you.

Agree on all thats been said...I use Skype regularly

Les ...
Skype name = Rocles6

 

Video camera.

We speak / see are friends in Spain each week "for free"

Down load Skype, but most computers already have it now, go on search, find your friends & family.

Hey Maura, even I can do it

 

Yes, we enjoy using Skype too. Our son and his wife are in San Francisco. We also use it for making cheap calls to landlines and mobiles worldwide.

You asked 'do I need a handset?' And as has already been mentioned, these days most laptops and netbooks have microphones and speakers built in, BUT we find it improves the quality of the call enormously to use a headset with its own mic - they don't cost a lot and plug straight into the computer.

 

Now stop messing about, download it and get calling

Tee Hee.....OK Pete, I'm doing it now.......... :lol:

Thanks everyone

 

you can get a phone handset from Maplins that is ok for Skype. They start from around £8, just plug into a usb and away you go.

Waz

 

Maura

I too was in your state just over a month ago, and whilst I had already downloaded skype onto my computer and it sits patiently on the desktop, I only recently got the "camera". This purchased from Tesco's its a Phillips around £15. What I did not realise was that I also had to download the phillips programme as well. So, if your laptop does not have the camera,speakers and everything else already on, it is still simple, but just read the instructions, if you do have to buy the camera. I did not and was foxed for a couple of hours.

Hope this is simplistic enough for you


Jenny

 

Like Bognormike we keep our Skype connection turned off most of the time as you can end up with so many international interruptions coming at you think and fast.

But very handy when you want to see family and friends too distant to visit.

As most new laptops have built in cameras and mikes, they are almost given away at boot sales and second hand shops. I bought a spare at £0.50 and a new mike £1.99. They work great.

Ray.

 

The way Skype works is to send your voice file as an internet package,
(getting on thin ice here) similar to when you ask for a website on your browser. This works both ways with the person on the other end.

You can also use Skype to call landlines and mobiles by buying time credit. Its still cheaper than most line suppliers. I always keep £10 worth of credit just in case.

You will only need a handset if your computer doesn't have a built-in mic. Or, more importantly, if you are making calls in public places.

In France last year we were creased up at some old dear speaking to a friend in the UK. Every one in the restaurant could here her and the conversation both ways.

 

Well Maura I would think you're queries have been answered by others but just to top it off.....I was very sceptical about skype but my none-techie wife downloaded it (with help from grandkids of course :lol and now she frequently chats with, and views, her jamaican cousins at regular intervals thanks to her reliable Samsung Notebook complete with built in microphone and webcam.

Wonder if Spacerunner or others can provide a link to get cheap landline calls via skype too??

 

Wonder if Spacerunner or others can provide a link to get cheap landline calls via skype too??

Its all in the Skype software.

Just go to 'my account' and you'll find an option to buy credit.

You can have a Skype number so landlines can call you, but I haven't investigated that area yet. Getting this far has used most of my brain cell.

 

Skype is good for me . I leave it connected and showing on line nearly all the time with volume turned up if I am elsewhere in house. get calls from friends etc just like a normal phone

 

To those who leave skype off can leave it on and switch to in visible or away or busy.

I have tried withno headset but find it easier with one.

I havent bought credit for ages but l used to get it at sainsburys dont know if they still do it.

 

I love it as I go into meetings in a support group in Australia.
They set up their computer and I have mine on and They ask me questions about treatment in UK etc etc.
All free.
I chat to friends all over the world and if they dont want to use a camera then we can use it like you do any chat programme and just type messages.
I have mine showing as Off line at the mo as its to early to talk as Im in my Pink dressing gown :lol: :lol: