SKYPE?

[FLUFFSTER]

Hi Mia! Thanks so much for your input. I haven't gotten anything yet. I still need to know about the credit card thing. My hubby doesn't want to use his credit card online. Is that an issue and is there another way? I have used PayPal before, but can't remember the way it was. Thank you so much, everyone!

[ZXT]

Quote:
I have been hearing about SKYPE, and am trying to make up my mind about getting it. I know almost nothing about it, or even what type of service it's called. A friend in Scotland calls me and just loves her SKYPE. I've heard conflicting stories about it, and would very much like to hear from anyone who has it or has had it, including the pros and cons. Are there any other services like SKYPE? Thanks very much.

Skype is a chat and voice application that you can use online for free as long as you aer chatting and "calling" another Skype user. For calls to a regular phone, It is not free and you have to subscribe to its service. All Skype's free feature can also be done with Yahoo Messenger (chat and PC to PC call). Skype main disadvantage is they have its own proprietary protocol, which means a Skype phone (physical phone) can only be use with Skype and non Skype devices can not be use with Skype.

Other voip services share the same protocol which is SIP. So if a Vonage subscriber suddenly felt the change to switch provider say to ViaTalk then he doesn't need to buy another device.

For a Skype alternative (making voip calls) I find Onesuite voip service suits my calling habits. It's prepaid with no monthly plans plus rates are very competitive.

[FLUFFSTER]

Hi and thanks for the info. I have a dear friend that lives in Scotland. She has SKYPE. I do not. She calls me and I believe she says it costs her something like a couple of dollars when she calls me. I also believe she puts money up front for the service. When she runs out of money, she puts some more up front. I am looking for a service that I can call Scotland and Canada. My hubby doesn't want to give a credit card number on line, so I am getting nowhere fast. It is very important that I am able to call those two countries. Thank you so much. Fluffster.

[ZXT]

Actually it is safer to give credit card number online than giving it to your waiter. If you can't convince your hubby to give out credit card online then you can still sign up with Onesuiteusing Paypal.

I'd like to point out though that using credit card for purchases (online or not) gives consumers some kind of insurance. We can still get our money back if we didn't get the service or the item we purchase.

Btw you can call Scotland and Canada with Onesuite at 1.9c and 2.2c respectively.

[duonyte]

FLUFFSTER wrote:
Hi Mia! Thanks so much for your input. I haven't gotten anything yet. I still need to know about the credit card thing. My hubby doesn't want to use his credit card online. Is that an issue and is there another way? I have used PayPal before, but can't remember the way it was. Thank you so much, everyone!

I agree that credit cards over the internet are really rather safe, so long as you are dealing with an established company, SKYPE is not a fly-by=night. Some credit cards have a one-use only option, I think Discover is one - but I'm not sure that works if you need to set up something for monthly billing or whatever.

There have been instances where data has been stolen, but the loss of your social security number is a much bigger proboem that is your credit card - you are far more protected with the credit card.

[ZXT]

duonyte wrote:

FLUFFSTER wrote:
Hi Mia! Thanks so much for your input. I haven't gotten anything yet. I still need to know about the credit card thing. My hubby doesn't want to use his credit card online. Is that an issue and is there another way? I have used PayPal before, but can't remember the way it was. Thank you so much, everyone!

I agree that credit cards over the internet are really rather safe, so long as you are dealing with an established company, SKYPE is not a fly-by=night. Some credit cards have a one-use only option, I think Discover is one - but I'm not sure that works if you need to set up something for monthly billing or whatever.

There have been instances where data has been stolen, but the loss of your social security number is a much bigger proboem that is your credit card - you are far more protected with the credit card.

I agree with SSN. Credit card numbers are easier to deal with. If ever you see an unauthorized usage then you can simply request a charge back. I've been using cerdit card for purchasing online and so far no unauthorized usage yet.

Also look for SSL Security Certificate on website you gonna use your credit card. This means the website is safe and there is a very small chance of a hacker getting your credit card details.

Most business and reputable websites has this certificate and thats why I'm not hesitant to use my credit card on Onesuite website because they got SSL certificate too.

[Chef1MOM~Connie]

I am looking into the majic jack. Does anyone use this?

http://www.magicjack.com/6/index.asp

[Maya's Mama]

I use skype 5-10 times a week. My family live all over the world. and i have two growing kids. so every afternoon before nap time... we call the grand parents or the aunts and uncles for a little while. and we use web cam and mic... and that way they get to experience the kids growing up. and watch them at home with there toys. its really a wonderful thing.

[ZXT]

Chef1MOM~Connie wrote:
I am looking into the majic jack. Does anyone use this?

http://www.magicjack.com/6/index.asp

Actually I do as a back up to my main voip account with Onesuite. You'll never know whenever you need one and for $20 a year I think its a cheap voip service back up.

[Chef1MOM~Connie]

Thank you. Does the computer need to be on or can majicjack work because you have cable or fiber hook up? I don't like to leave my computer on all the time (ehrn gone from the house)

[ZXT]

Chef1MOM~Connie wrote:
Thank you. Does the computer need to be on or can majicjack work because you have cable or fiber hook up? I don't like to leave my computer on all the time (ehrn gone from the house)

Well that's why most people (including me) isn't really sold with MJ because you need your PC to be on to use it. MJ has its own softphone you need to install (which you can not uninstall afterwards) after you plugged in the MJ USB.

This is the reason why I am using it only as a back up to my main VoIP service which is Onesuite.

Using a computer prevents people from using MJ 24/7 because we don't our computers up all the time.

There are ways tho to hack on MJ configuration and set it up on your ATA device so you won't need a computer BUT it is illegal and if MJ finds out you will lose your account and service.

[Chef1MOM~Connie]

Thank you for the info. Now to think of what to do. I looked at onesuite and that may be the way to go.
Thank you again.

[ZXT]

No problem.

Let me just remind you though that Onesuite doesn't sell any hardwares (IP phone, ATA, etc) so you need to provide your own. In VoIP world, this is called BYOD or Bring Your Own Device.

Vonage has its own hardware and same thing with Magic Jack. In those cases, you pay for the service and the hardware.

With Onesuite, I use a Grandstream ATA I got from my brother but I also use free softphones like X-lite or Pangolin. when I'm not at home using a laptop.

[bigbadbrenda]

I am traveling and this is a way for me to keep in touch and not cost me a dime.Skype tp Skype is free.I can call home whenever I want.

[ZXT]

bigbadbrenda wrote:
I am traveling and this is a way for me to keep in touch and not cost me a dime.Skype tp Skype is free.I can call home whenever I want.

Yeah as long as the one you are calling are connected to the internet and your computer is turned on. You can do the same thing with Yahoo Messenger and MSN Messenger as well as others instant messaging applications.