Model Boat Mayhem
Mess Deck: General Section => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: The long Build on August 05, 2009, 11:57:18 pm
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I have recently loaded this with the intention of being able to video phone some relatives across the pond. However I have just noticed that on the Birchwood thread where the traders are listed with tel numbers that there is an Icon next to it enabling me to dial it, almost like an internet link , Is this Normal ??
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It is your Skype program that is doing that to all numbers and those who have appended a Skype signiature.
It saves dialing.
You have to buy call time beyond the free 10 pence or whatever they give now,to connect to phones..
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Skype is very good.
From my computer:
International to any other skype user, free. Including video calls. Our daughter is in UK studying and we are in China. We live the video channel/call open as she studies and we work at the PC. It is like she is at home in the next room. Somehow comforting.
International to a land line, about 1p per minute and there is also a log of calls. Useful to remind me who I have called, and to see if my wife called about the thing I asked her to (saves me bugging her if I don't need to).
I was reluctant to plug in to a new computer service at first, but skype has been a boon to us. Unlike facebook, which I find a bit of a pain in butt.
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I have only just downloaded Skype and installed it on my desktop and the wifes laptop. We have tested it round the house and so far I am incredibly impressed with the ease of setting it up as well as the ease of using it. I'm going to test it out with some international friends but the advantages of having it available when I am at work in the United States and the wife is at home are obvious.
No problems so far and very easy to use so I can't fault it.
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I use Skype a lot to speak to family in NZ and forum members in the USA, Spain, Oz and Canada, as well as family and friends in this country.
Its great to see who you are talking to, plus video calling is free.
Excellent product and free to down load. :-))
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What are the costs involved?
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It is so good, I have got rid of my normal land line and only use Skype and my mobile. I subscribed to their European network, which means for 2.99 a month I can call ANY European land line free at any time. No catches. I bought one of their phones, which are not cheap, but it works just like an ordinary one. Reckon we are saving over 40.00 a month now.
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What are the costs involved?
Computer to computer is nothing, apart from your ISP subscription, even if using the web cam.
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Footski
You have got rid of your landline so how do you connect to the internet?
Bob.
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Footski
You have got rid of your landline so how do you connect to the internet?
Bob.
Cable?
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What are the costs involved?
UK or to same country
£2.95/month
£3.39 incl. VAT
EU residents only
Unlimited Europe
£3.95/month
£4.54 incl. VAT
Unlimited World(40 countries)
£6.95/month
£7.99 incl. VAT
Unlimited US & Canada
£1.45/month
£1.67 incl. VAT
EU residents only
Unlimited calls to landlines and cell phones* in the United States and Canada.
*fair usage policy
Unlimited Mexico
£2.95/month
£3.39 incl. VAT
EU residents only
Unlimited calls to landlines* in Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara
The per minute call rates should be available without the download.
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Footski
You have got rid of your landline so how do you connect to the internet?
Bob.
Bob,
We have a satellite based Internet Connection. Living out in the country the old phone was a satellite system too.
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What are the costs involved?
Set up is free.
In China, we use the pay as we go option. $10 lasts us for months as we mostly call skype to skype (free)
Occasionally call landlines, international about 1p a minute.
Calling mobiles is much more. Can't rmember how much, but still cheaper than using the land line to call out.
We don't have a skype phone, we just used headset on our PC.
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Skype phones for computer to telephone, on the net are very cheap, just search for VOIP phone, they work perfectly with Skype. You should get one for a tenner or less (plus the usual delivery garbage).
For proper Skype work, the free computer to computer with video, I tend to use a headset with a tiny boom mike, purely because I then don't disturb anyone who is watching say the telly by having the speakers on.
The cheapest way for computer to computer is to buy a wecam with a built in mic, and use the speakers on the computer. My last very good resolution cam with a mic built in, of which part I don't use, was about 7 squid.
All this is of no use of course, unless you have the skypename or email address of the person you want to call, you have to use Skype to trace them first, and get them onto your list of contacts.
Bogs (bandit175)
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Distance seems to work better, 3 miles range to talk to son is abismal, Bradford to Boggy has its drop out moments (Crewe), Bradford to Ottery (Exeter) Much better, Malaysia - super, and me mate in Michigan Excellent.
Regards Ian.
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Well , Dug out and old Logitech Clicksmart 310 Camera/Vid cam out ,(bit naf but will do for the moment) downloaded the drivers from Logitech (quicker than trying to find the disc) swapped skype Ids and we were up and running. Have spoken to the rels in the states.
Think this is far as we will go at the moment but will be checking out subscriptions as above to see if it would work out any cheaper..
Can you have multiple people on line , sort of video conferencing ?
:-)) :-))
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Can you have multiple people on line , sort of video conferencing ?
Yes you can, but I don't think the video works, just sound. At least the vid doesn't work when I conference with friends in the US.
What do you want for nothing? :} :}
Bogs
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I'm a bit confused over this 'costs' business?
We have Skype, use it all of the time to speak to friends in OZ and Johannesburg - FREE - doesn't cost us anything.
I thought that was the whole point?
Malc
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If you Skype to Skype (computer to computer) it is free. But not everybody we want to call has a Skype account.
If you use Skype to call landlines, or mobile phones, there is a fee. Some people have done away with their landline phones completely and are using Skype for all phone calls. I think that is where the monthly packages come in, but stand to be corrected.
We use the Skype pay as you go for calls to landlines, instead of a monthly package.
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Quite right tiger tiger. i have done away with my land line and for 2.99 a month I can ring any landline in Europe free of charge. I have had it now for several months and it really is superb. I even have a Manchester telephone number attached to it so that when my Dad calls me, it only costs him a local rate call instead of International to Spain..
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Yes you can, but I don't think the video works, just sound. At least the vid doesn't work when I conference with friends in the US.
What do you want for nothing? :} :}
Bogs
You can but try. :} :}
looking on the web it does seem possible but you have to download 3rd party software , and set yourself up as a mini type server , not sure it would be worth it. Found ou that Ebay seem to own skype.
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Found ou that Ebay seem to own skype.
....but are reported to want to sell it.
Barrie
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OK, you techie boys...I have a new Samsung R510 laptop with a remote dongle on the 3 network, and also a mobile Skype phone on the 3 network. If I get my lady who is in Vancouver, Canada, the same phone....can I call her for free?
If not...how do I call her using Skype?
Ta
Rich
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Rich,
She does not need a phone as such. If she has a headset and a microphone, you can call each other for free. You bith need to load Skype onto your computers, input each others email address and away you go..
Barry
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Download Skype onto the laptop, Follow the instructions re a sign in name, make sure she does the same on the other end (Computer) and away you go. If you've both got video cams and a Mic on the computers you can flash EYES at each other. Just supplied some machining instructions to a "Mate" in Michigan, FOR FREEEEEEEEE.
Regards Ian.
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Barry...Ian...top men, thanks for that info. I'll be onto that instantly if not sooner.
(flash eyes?...hmm...you need to get out more Ian!)
I do miss her badly <:( be nice to see her again, even if it's only in cyber form. :}
Thanks again guys,
Rich
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Rich,
She does not need a phone as such. If she has a headset and a microphone, you can call each other for free. You bith need to load Skype onto your computers, input each others email address and away you go..
Barry
Rich a lot of these laptops have webcam mike and speakers installed so you dont need to buy anything, just download Skype thats what my wife has done.
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You are right Dickie, me old darlin'...mine has built in webcam and mike thing. I've only just discovered them.... :embarrassed:
Only just woke up(working all night tonight with the long arm boys)so I've been getting some z's in, but I'll go check out Skype now.
Cheers,
Rich
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Don't confuse me Dickie, I've managed to download Skype ok, even called my own mobile and it rang(!!)now I've got a message thing from you.... :o
I'll fathom it out later on(or I'll try)and see if I can call you tomorrow sometime, depends what time I get finished at work...it's down to the boys in blue what time they let us on the road.
Rich