Has anyone used Skype?

[timfromfc]

I have a friend in Germany that I want to talk with, but international rates are a bit high. Has anyone tried Skype? I was checking out their website and it sounded good. I'm a bit cynical though because you don't get something for nothing. Is there a catch?

 

[tomatolord]

Re: Has anyone used Skype?

Yes the product does not work that well.<br /><br />A real phone opens a direct connection between the two phones<br /><br />internet phones or IP phones send packets of voice across the internet.<br /><br />When you talk to someone there are LONG pauses in what you are saying. <br /><br />I talked to someone who was using one and there would be a long pause and then he would start saying stuff - I thought he had stopped talking but he had not.<br /><br />If you get used to the long pauses then skype works great.<br /><br />AOL IM and Yahoo IM also have Talk abilities as well.

 

[timfromfc]

Re: Has anyone used Skype?

Is the voice quality similar to AOL and Yahoo? It sounds like the delays would get pretty annoying though.

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Has anyone used Skype?

Actually, if you and your friend are on a good highspeed internet connection, then you won't have any problems with delays. Voice quality over Skype will be as good as the others. For the occasional call and coversation it's really not a bad choice, it's free afterall, how can you complain? The pay service will provide you with a better call yet, and a company like Vonage will provide you with everything you need. Pick your poison.