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RV-Dreams.com Home -> RV-Dreams Community Forum -> Technology On The Road -> SKYPE ANYONE?
Post Info TOPIC: SKYPE ANYONE?
COOKIE QUEEN


RV-Dreams Community Member

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SKYPE ANYONE?
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I have learned so much on this forum, I wanted to share some cost saving info with you regarding phone costs.  Skype is a VOIP (voice over internet protocol); you basically only need an internet connection to access it.  The software is free, just download it.  Your only cost will be a pair of headphones that you connect into your pc.  You set up an account ($10-$20) and calls cost you .02 a minute (ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!)  Cool, huh?  And if the person you are calling is also on SKYPE, the call is absolutely free.  I have been using it for almost 2 years now.  I got hooked up with SKYPE just a couple of months after it was available.  The voice/sound quality is absolutely incredible.  So for those of you who already have an internet connection while you are RVing, this could save you some money in communicating with your family/friends; or at least allow you to save on your cell phone usage.  As you make calls, the money comes out of your account balance $$.  Last time I was on SKYPE, there were approximately 5 million people on it.

It is very user friendly.  You can set up your contacts and then just click on your contact to make your call.

Wannabe for 2009 RVing, DW of "fox".

Cookie Queen

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TheBobGuy


RV-Dreams Family Member

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CG, thanks for posting this.  You are absolutely right about SKYPE and we love it too.  Bob's sister lives in Rio and we talk to her all the time FREE on SKYPE.

Good post!

Steel

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Bob & Molly,  The BobGuy & Steel Magnolia; Northern Neck of VA
http://moonriverandwe.blogspot.com/
Sandra


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My husband uses it sometimes but with the satellite there's a bit of delay involved but he uses it with other guys that he knows that also use SKYPE.



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Sandra
kevinpvb


RV-Dreams Community Member

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I wanted to share my experiences with Skype.

I use a Mac and have a partition that has Windows loaded. 

My wife and I were in Walmart a while ago and found a Skype USB phone.  We had never done VOIP before.  It was $ 29 so we decided to give it a shot.

I installed the software on the Mac.  Then, we needed to go to skype.com to activate the service.  We chose the $ 29 per year outgoing only service.  The last thing we wanted was to get solicitor calls on the pc.  We were unable to use the USB phone.  But, we were able to use the microphone and speakers on the pc.  But, there was a terrible echo.

So, I installed the software on the Windows partition.  There is an additional piece for Windows called "Skype Mate".  That application knows what to do when the USB phone is connected.  Well, both the phone and the pc microphone and speakers worked great for calls.  I still had some trouble using the features of the phone (speakerphone, dialing, etc).  But, dialing fromt the keyboard worked great.

I wrote an email to Skype tech support (no phone contact is provided with Skype).  They replied and told me about a new beta release for the Mac.  They are constantly improving the software for Skype.  I downloaded and installed the update and Voile, the echo was gone.  Also, in subsequent updates, I can now use the USB phone too.

The quality on the receiving end rivals regular phone service.  That's great, because, sometimes I work from the RV and need good phone service.

Bottom line is that we think Skype is worth the cost.



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bago40


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This is great guys! I am just now at the end of my current cell phone contract and don't use it enough to justify the expense.hmm  I do need to be accessible however, for work reasons. Kevinpvb., do you know why the phone doesn't work ie. weak signal, program etc. If this system could work for me it would (as you guys know) greatly reduce my expenses, and keep me accessible too.smile If that wasn't enough the campground has free wi-fi. biggrin One of my co-workers in data says he calls his family in Bulgaria for four cents a connection but talks for an hour at no additional cost. What next?biggrin

-- Edited by bago40 at 12:43, 2007-07-03

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Bago, 1997 Winnebago Vectra Grand Tour 7.4 290hp Chevy Vortec SFI. Focus Toad.
kevinpvb


RV-Dreams Community Member

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Hi Mr. 40:

Actually, when I got the software update from Skype, the phone started working in both Mac and Windows.  Life is good in Skype-land.

I guess i forgot to add that to the original post.

Sorry 'bout that.

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bago40


RV-Dreams Family Member

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Great!smile and no need to apologize, I'm just glad folks like you are here sharing what you've experienced, that's what makes this site what it has become -the RV - dreams family experience! biggrin Thanks, again!

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Bago, 1997 Winnebago Vectra Grand Tour 7.4 290hp Chevy Vortec SFI. Focus Toad.
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