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Author Why do the keep pushing skype
radioham

2006-09-16, 1:11 pm

Watching a BBC prog yesterday featuring new generation handset, either skype
or sip compatible. Skype is one of the most expensive voip carriers yet
everyone thinks it is the dogs boxxox ?. IS it they are just clever at
marketing.



Paul B

2006-09-16, 1:12 pm

Thus spake radioham:
> Watching a BBC prog yesterday featuring new generation handset,
> either skype or sip compatible. Skype is one of the most expensive
> voip carriers yet everyone thinks it is the dogs boxxox ?. IS it they
> are just clever at marketing.


Because it's completely free to other Skype users? Because you can instantly
see if others are available? How many people do you think actually use
Skypeout? I see SIP & Skype as entirely different services. Another aspect
of Skype is the number of people that have regained contact with lost
friends due to its searching capabilities. How much does Skypeout cost
compared to BT?

--
Basically, I hate people who preface nearly every sentence with the word
'basically'!


PhilT

2006-09-16, 1:12 pm


radioham wrote:
> Watching a BBC prog yesterday featuring new generation handset, either skype
> or sip compatible. Skype is one of the most expensive voip carriers yet
> everyone thinks it is the dogs boxxox ?. IS it they are just clever at
> marketing.


you can download a piece of software and you're away, so its barriers
to entry are practically zero.

Many people don't understand enough to realise its a technological dead
end.

Phil

SBS

2006-09-16, 1:12 pm

Paul B (someone@somewhere.com) ha scritto:

::: Watching a BBC prog yesterday featuring new generation handset,
::: either skype or sip compatible. Skype is one of the most expensive
::: voip carriers yet everyone thinks it is the dogs boxxox ?. IS it they
::: are just clever at marketing.

:: Because it's completely free to other Skype users?

I think that isn't the truth. I suppose that skype eats an unknown
amount of my bandwidth when it "sleeps"...


radioham

2006-09-16, 7:11 pm

You can also use msn and yahoo messenger the same, but the point I am making
it is not a particularly cheap voip system for paid phone calls yet it is
becoming a standard like Hoover as in vacuum ?.


SBS

2006-09-16, 7:11 pm

radioham (nospam@nospam.com) ha scritto:

:: it is becoming a standard like Hoover as in vacuum ?.

I think it doesn't.


Brian A

2006-09-16, 7:11 pm

On Sat, 16 Sep 2006 11:00:07 GMT, "radioham" <nospam@nospam.com>
wrote:

>Watching a BBC prog yesterday featuring new generation handset, either skype
>or sip compatible. Skype is one of the most expensive voip carriers yet
>everyone thinks it is the dogs boxxox ?. IS it they are just clever at
>marketing.

You could say that. After all they have conned plenty of people into
thinking that they offer cheap calls. The big advantage that Skype
have is that you install the software and it works - it works quite
well too. As far as most people who use Skype are concerned that is it
- if you want to talk to people over the Net you have to use Skype.
Some may see ads. from Vonage but dismiss it because they think Skype
is cheaper. The really big con is where people are persuaded to part
with big money for WiFi devices to operate Skype.
Most of the public, who use computers at home, are not very technical.
If they can get as far as installing Skype, and it works, then that is
the fullest extent that they will go.
Skype has its uses but, personally, I don't have a lot of time for it
and I certainly wouldn't spend any money on it.
If some of the smaller voip companies could afford to advertise the
way that Vonage and Skype do, and offer a ready set up device, they
may have more success. Until then, I for one, will grow more
frustrated at the ignorance and apparent foolishness of those who
spend their money on expensive hardware to run Skype.
Remove 'no_spam_' from email address.
Paul B

2006-09-16, 7:11 pm

Thus spake SBS:
> Paul B (someone@somewhere.com) ha scritto:
>
>
>
> I think that isn't the truth. I suppose that skype eats an unknown
> amount of my bandwidth when it "sleeps"...


Would you prefer the description "effectively free"? Why do I use Skype?
Because a friend in Brittany rang me up & invited me to do so, having stated
that they had themselves been invited. Technical expertise has got naff all
to do with it. I think some here are being slightly snobbish about voip.
What would some of you have me do - tell my friends that they are
technically ignorant for using a system people have actually heard of &
should change to a paid but superior SIP solution that may take days to sort
out?

I'm sure the more savvy among you use Skype & a SIP based service or three
anyway. Why is that something that works 'out of the box' is treated with
distain & does it imply that many possible alternatives don't? Do some of
you vilify others for still using BT for instance? Some people just don't
make a huge number of calls anyway.

--
Basically, I hate people who preface nearly every sentence with the word
'basically'!


PhilT

2006-09-16, 7:11 pm


Paul B wrote:

> Why is that something that works 'out of the box' is treated with
> distain


I found the audio quality to be crap, and Skype is a technological dead
end.

When you've used it for a while and think "That's fine, but I want to
use the normal phone handset instead" you have to start again, so why
not start with free SIP services that work just the same as Skype
(software download, runs on PC using audio input/output of soundcard)
then later you can migrate *the same service* to different hardware and
greater functionality without having to start again.

Phil

PhilT

2006-09-16, 7:11 pm


Paul B wrote:

> Why is that something that works 'out of the box' is treated with
> distain


I found the audio quality to be crap, and Skype is a technological dead
end.

When you've used it for a while and think "That's fine, but I want to
use the normal phone handset instead" you have to start again, so why
not start with free SIP services that work just the same as Skype
(software download, runs on PC using audio input/output of soundcard)
then later you can migrate *the same service* to different hardware and
greater functionality without having to start again.

Phil

SBS

2006-09-16, 7:11 pm

Paul B (someone@somewhere.com) ha scritto:

:: What would some of you have me do - tell my friends that
:: they are technically ignorant for using a system people have
:: actually heard of & should change to a paid but superior SIP
:: solution that may take days to sort out?

Of course not. But I think that skype isn't completely free,
because while I pay for my internet bandwidth then
(I suppose) skype uses an unknown amount of it when it
seems to be in standby mode.

Who can grant me that skype doesn't use my broadband
connection bandwidth to make possible some charged
calls?

That's all.


Dave

2006-09-16, 7:11 pm

On Sat, 16 Sep 2006 19:26:17 GMT, Brian A
<no_spam_bca1000@hotmail.com> wrote:

>On Sat, 16 Sep 2006 11:00:07 GMT, "radioham" <nospam@nospam.com>
>wrote:
>
>You could say that. After all they have conned plenty of people into
>thinking that they offer cheap calls. The big advantage that Skype
>have is that you install the software and it works - it works quite
>well too. As far as most people who use Skype are concerned that is it
>- if you want to talk to people over the Net you have to use Skype.
>Some may see ads. from Vonage but dismiss it because they think Skype
>is cheaper. The really big con is where people are persuaded to part
>with big money for WiFi devices to operate Skype.
>Most of the public, who use computers at home, are not very technical.
>If they can get as far as installing Skype, and it works, then that is
>the fullest extent that they will go.
>Skype has its uses but, personally, I don't have a lot of time for it
>and I certainly wouldn't spend any money on it.
>If some of the smaller voip companies could afford to advertise the
>way that Vonage and Skype do, and offer a ready set up device, they
>may have more success. Until then, I for one, will grow more
>frustrated at the ignorance and apparent foolishness of those who
>spend their money on expensive hardware to run Skype.
>Remove 'no_spam_' from email address.


I don't normally use Skype but it does have it's uses.

We were on holiday in Canada over the summer and used SkypeOut to
call home. We could have used the hotel phones or even a calling card
but that would have cost a lot more money.

The easist solution we found was to pack the laptop (which always gets
packed for holidays anyway) and a mic-headset and use SkypeOut.

Sure, we could have taken an ATA and a phone and plugged it all into
the laptop (the hotel provided free wifi access) but that would have
been extra equipment to take and extra hassle to configure.

The missus phoned her mother every day (she tends to do that when on
holday for some reason) and by the end the total amount spent on calls
was less than £2, which I certainly don't grudge paying.

All in all, it worked pretty well and was damn cheap. Maybe not the
cheapest but the most convenient. Having said that, we don't normally
use it at home but will definately use it next time we are away from
home.
Ivor Jones

2006-09-16, 7:11 pm

"Dave" <weirdoboy@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1vrog2ph18h1rtp61j7sehleknj32liu3f@
4ax.com

[snip]

> Sure, we could have taken an ATA and a phone and plugged
> it all into the laptop (the hotel provided free wifi
> access) but that would have been extra equipment to take
> and extra hassle to configure.


I use X-Pro on my laptop when travelling, with both Sipgate and Gradwell.
Works perfectly and call quality is almost (but not quite) as good as a
hardware phone. If I know I'm going to be somewhere with an Ethernet
connection I take a Sipura 1001 and a small-footprint phone (BT Duet 60).

Ivor


Paul B

2006-09-17, 1:11 am

Thus spake PhilT:
> Paul B wrote:
>
>
> I found the audio quality to be crap, and Skype is a technological
> dead end.
>
> When you've used it for a while and think "That's fine, but I want to
> use the normal phone handset instead" you have to start again, so why
> not start with free SIP services that work just the same as Skype
> (software download, runs on PC using audio input/output of soundcard)
> then later you can migrate *the same service* to different hardware
> and greater functionality without having to start again.
>
> Phil


I'm sure with a bit of researching that a superior solution is to be found &
I'll be following the technology with interest. Skype definitely has fairly
serious limitations such as having to be online - my PC spends most of its
life in a nice silent standby condition where my Skype presence shows me
being unavailable. OK, Philips are going to launch a Skype & landline DECT
phone this Xmas (running Linux for those that are interested) who's base
station plugs into an Ethernet port, phoneline & acts as a server.
http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS8449749058.html
If the premium over a std Philips DECT phone isn't too high (I've had good
use from my Philips Onis system, now over 6yrs old), I maybe tempted but I
take the point regarding hardware costs to access a 'free' service.

As for Skype's sound quality - it's more often my voice quality that's so
variable but I'm reusing an ancient HBH-15 Ericsson BT headset that's
sometimes virtually unusable but I don't have a very high regard for BT at
the best of times. My take on Skype is that's it's a chat service with
diabolically slow file transfer - real slow! If I was a heavy phone user or
running my own business, I'd have bought an ATA long ago!
--
Basically, I hate people who preface nearly every sentence with the word
'basically'!


The Invalid

2006-09-17, 7:11 am

On Sat, 16 Sep 2006 20:01:16 +0200, "SBS" <no.spam@grazie.da.me>
wrote:

>Paul B (someone@somewhere.com) ha scritto:
>
>::: Watching a BBC prog yesterday featuring new generation handset,
>::: either skype or sip compatible. Skype is one of the most expensive
>::: voip carriers yet everyone thinks it is the dogs boxxox ?. IS it they
>::: are just clever at marketing.
>
>:: Because it's completely free to other Skype users?
>
>I think that isn't the truth. I suppose that skype eats an unknown
>amount of my bandwidth when it "sleeps"...
>

Then do what most people do, use it then turn it off

The Invalid

2006-09-17, 7:11 am

On 16 Sep 2006 13:50:49 -0700, "PhilT" <newsnet@gmail.com> wrote:

>
>Paul B wrote:
>
>
>I found the audio quality to be crap, and Skype is a technological dead
>end.

Then you are doing something wrong.
I talk to friends in the US,America and Oz and the quality is superb.

>
>When you've used it for a while and think "That's fine, but I want to
>use the normal phone handset instead" you have to start again, so why
>not start with free SIP services that work just the same as Skype
>(software download, runs on PC using audio input/output of soundcard)
>then later you can migrate *the same service* to different hardware and
>greater functionality without having to start again.


Because the quality is crap?
>
>Phil


SBS

2006-09-17, 7:11 am

The Invalid (the_invalid@hotmail.com) ha scritto:

::::: Because it's completely free to other Skype users?

::: I think that isn't the truth. I suppose that skype eats an unknown
::: amount of my bandwidth when it "sleeps"...

:: Then do what most people do, use it then turn it off

If I turn skype off, then how can I do to receive incoming calls?


The Invalid

2006-09-17, 7:11 am

On Sun, 17 Sep 2006 12:59:45 +0200, "SBS" <no.spam@grazie.da.me>
wrote:

>The Invalid (the_invalid@hotmail.com) ha scritto:
>
>::::: Because it's completely free to other Skype users?
>
>::: I think that isn't the truth. I suppose that skype eats an unknown
>::: amount of my bandwidth when it "sleeps"...
>
>:: Then do what most people do, use it then turn it off
>
>If I turn skype off, then how can I do to receive incoming calls?
>

Tell your friends to ring you twice on your landline then connect up
Skype
Works for me
Carl Waring

2006-09-17, 1:11 pm

> Paul B (someone@somewhere.com) ha scritto:
> Who can grant me that skype doesn't use my broadband
> connection bandwidth to make possible some charged
> calls?


How the heck would it do that? Who's it gonna charge for a start?


--
Carl Waring
DigiGuide: http://getdigiguide.com/?p=1&r=1495
DGLite: http://getdigiguide.com/?p=4&r=1495 - FREE!!!


SBS

2006-09-17, 1:11 pm

Carl Waring (carl.waring@REDyonder.co.uk) ha scritto:

::: Who can grant me that skype doesn't use my broadband
::: connection bandwidth to make possible some charged
::: calls?

:: How the heck would it do that?

I've just explained it some messages above.

Who's it gonna charge for a start?

Skype is free if you make skype-to-skype calls, but if you
wanna call someone located somewhere in the world then
you have to pay for it. I suppose that skype uses my internet
bandwidth to make possibile that charged call(s), while
I keep it in standby mode.


PhilT

2006-09-17, 1:11 pm


The Invalid wrote:
> On 16 Sep 2006 13:50:49 -0700, "PhilT" <newsnet@gmail.com> wrote:
> Then you are doing something wrong.


I'm not able to select how congested the broadband is on the exchange.

> I talk to friends in the US,America and Oz and the quality is superb.


The crappy little bandwidth used by skype gets hacked up to bits on a
congested exchange. Virtually unuseable.

Phil

t@auzinger.org

2006-09-17, 7:11 pm


PhilT wrote:
> Paul B wrote:
>
>
> I found the audio quality to be crap, and Skype is a technological dead
> end.
>
> When you've used it for a while and think "That's fine, but I want to
> use the normal phone handset instead" you have to start again, so why
> not start with free SIP services that work just the same as Skype
> (software download, runs on PC using audio input/output of soundcard)
> then later you can migrate *the same service* to different hardware and
> greater functionality without having to start again.
>
> Phil

If Skype works for you - DLink offers a USB adapter to PSTN phones. I
had it connected to my cordless base and it worked as well as my Skype
connection allowed it (which was unfortunately not very good, but other
people swear by it).

Thanks,

Thomas
http://www.betterphone.org

Ivor Jones

2006-09-17, 7:11 pm

<t@auzinger.org> wrote in message
news:1158517033.140432.48700@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com

[snip]

> If Skype works for you - DLink offers a USB adapter to
> PSTN phones. I had it connected to my cordless base and
> it worked as well as my Skype connection allowed it
> (which was unfortunately not very good, but other people
> swear by it).


If it requires a computer to be in the loop, it's no good to me. Come back
and tell me when an ATA that works with Skype is available.

Ivor



Ivor Jones

2006-09-17, 7:11 pm

"The Invalid" <the_invalid@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:8i8qg2t5foae39dpr25u3fafg5jlndh98l@
4ax.com
> On Sat, 16 Sep 2006 20:01:16 +0200, "SBS"
> <no.spam@grazie.da.me> wrote:


[snip]

> Then do what most people do, use it then turn it off


And just how do you *receive* a call with it switched off..?!

Ivor


Brian A

2006-09-17, 7:11 pm

On 17 Sep 2006 11:17:13 -0700, t@auzinger.org wrote:

>
>PhilT wrote:
>If Skype works for you - DLink offers a USB adapter to PSTN phones. I
>had it connected to my cordless base and it worked as well as my Skype
>connection allowed it (which was unfortunately not very good, but other
>people swear by it).

But why waste money on Skype hardware? Skype is OK to play about with
on a computer but it really isn't worth spending good money on when
you can buy a SIP ATA and not have your computer switched on all the
time. The computer alone (without a monitor) costing over £5/month to
run 24/7. Further you then have a massive choice of VSPs, using SIP,
in this country and around the world.

Remove 'no_spam_' from email address.
Brian A

2006-09-17, 7:11 pm

On Sun, 17 Sep 2006 18:57:33 +0200, "SBS" <no.spam@grazie.da.me>
wrote:

>Carl Waring (carl.waring@REDyonder.co.uk) ha scritto:
>
>::: Who can grant me that skype doesn't use my broadband
>::: connection bandwidth to make possible some charged
>::: calls?
>
>:: How the heck would it do that?
>
>I've just explained it some messages above.
>
>Who's it gonna charge for a start?
>
>Skype is free if you make skype-to-skype calls, but if you
>wanna call someone located somewhere in the world then
>you have to pay for it. I suppose that skype uses my internet
>bandwidth to make possibile that charged call(s), while
>I keep it in standby mode.
>

I can make free calls to virually anyone who has SIP VoIP connection.
There is nothing magical about Skype as regards free calls.
Remove 'no_spam_' from email address.
Ivor Jones

2006-09-17, 7:11 pm

"Brian A" <no_spam_bca1000@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:d28rg2tntkphpempmr4enkqqqbmkg16g0o@
4ax.com

[snip]

> I can make free calls to virually anyone who has SIP
> VoIP connection. There is nothing magical about Skype as
> regards free calls.


Given that Skype doesn't use SIP, how do you mange that..?

Ivor

> Remove 'no_spam_' from email address.



SBS

2006-09-17, 7:11 pm

Brian A (no_spam_bca1000@hotmail.com) ha scritto:

:: I can make free calls to virually anyone who has SIP
:: VoIP connection.

Me too (Fritz box fon 7050) ;-)


SBS

2006-09-17, 7:11 pm

Ivor Jones (ivor@despammed.invalid) ha scritto:

::: Then do what most people do, use it then turn it off

:: And just how do you *receive* a call with it switched off..?!

His friends ring his regular phone before calling :-D


Ivor Jones

2006-09-17, 7:11 pm

"SBS" <no.spam@grazie.da.me> wrote in message
news:450da3bf$0$35069$4fafbaef@reader4.news.tin.it
> Brian A (no_spam_bca1000@hotmail.com) ha scritto:
>
>
> Me too (Fritz box fon 7050) ;-)


How are you getting on with the 7050..? Was thinking of upgrading to one
(currently use original Fritz!Box Fon non-wireless version)

Ivor


Ivor Jones

2006-09-17, 7:11 pm


"SBS" <no.spam@grazie.da.me> wrote in message
news:450da43b$0$35070$4fafbaef@reader4.news.tin.it
> Ivor Jones (ivor@despammed.invalid) ha scritto:
>
>
>
> His friends ring his regular phone before calling :-D


And if you (a) don't have a "regular" phone or (b) aren't at home..?

Ivor


SBS

2006-09-17, 7:11 pm

Ivor Jones (ivor@despammed.invalid) ha scritto:

:::::: Then do what most people do, use it then turn it off

::::: And just how do you *receive* a call with it switched
::::: off..?!

::: His friends ring his regular phone before calling :-D

:: And if you (a) don't have a "regular" phone or (b) aren't
:: at home..?

Then I suppose that he loses the call in both cases.


SBS

2006-09-17, 7:11 pm

Ivor Jones (ivor@despammed.invalid) ha scritto:

::::: I can make free calls to virually anyone who has SIP
::::: VoIP connection.

::: Me too (Fritz box fon 7050) ;-)

:: How are you getting on with the 7050..? Was thinking of
:: upgrading to one (currently use original Fritz!Box Fon
:: non-wireless version)

It works very well. I paid for it about 169,00 euro
(included VAT). Why would you upgrade from your
Fritz!Box Fon to a 7050 device?


Ivor Jones

2006-09-17, 7:11 pm

"SBS" <no.spam@grazie.da.me> wrote in message
news:450dc260$0$35081$4fafbaef@reader4.news.tin.it
> Ivor Jones (ivor@despammed.invalid) ha scritto:
>
>
>
>
> It works very well. I paid for it about 169,00 euro
> (included VAT). Why would you upgrade from your
> Fritz!Box Fon to a 7050 device?


2 reasons, one it has wireless and it would mean I could dispense with my
separate wireless access point (one less power supply plug..!) and
secondly it has three rather than two analogue phone ports.

Ivor


Ivor Jones

2006-09-17, 7:11 pm


"Brian A" <no_spam_bca1000@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:lohrg2tvs7vk4sc16gahlat2prebt7cktg@
4ax.com
> On Sun, 17 Sep 2006 20:35:58 +0100, "Ivor Jones"
> <ivor@despammed.invalid> wrote:
>
[vbcol=seagreen]
> You misunderstood me Ivor, I was pointing out that on SIP
> VoIP it is possible to call very nearly all other SIP
> VoIP phones for free so that there was nothing special
> about Skype in the respect of free calls.


Ok, I see what you mean now, it's been a long day..!

Ivor


JW

2006-09-18, 7:11 am

radioham wrote:
> Watching a BBC prog yesterday featuring new generation handset, either skype
> or sip compatible. Skype is one of the most expensive voip carriers yet
> everyone thinks it is the dogs boxxox ?. IS it they are just clever at
> marketing.
>
>
>


Yes, they got a jump on the market. However, the product is
easy to set up and use, even behind firewalls. I don't know
if that can be said of all VoIP services.

People who use Skype are not typical of those who post to
this group because they don't care about technology, or make
detailed comparisons of calling rates. Most probably only
use it for calls to other subscribers, so the rates are of
no interest to them. They don't see Skype as a replacement
for landline telephony. Since most home users need a phone
line with their broadband, and competition for landline
calls is fierce, there is not much incentive for them to
look for a VoIP-based replacement.

That said, Skype has introduced many to internet telephony
who might go on to use other services. The SIP market
should welcome that opportunity, instead of trying to tell
people how stupid they are for using Skype.

And, despite what some posters here claim, the Skype
PC-to-PC call quality is - for most subscribers - much
superior to anything they will have used before.
John

2006-09-18, 7:11 am

In article <12gsq2k1nvc9na0@corp.supernews.com>, JW <jw@privacy.net>
writes
>radioham wrote:
>
>Yes, they got a jump on the market. However, the product is
>easy to set up and use, even behind firewalls. I don't know
>if that can be said of all VoIP services.
>
>People who use Skype are not typical of those who post to
>this group because they don't care about technology, or make
>detailed comparisons of calling rates. Most probably only
>use it for calls to other subscribers, so the rates are of
>no interest to them. They don't see Skype as a replacement
>for landline telephony. Since most home users need a phone
>line with their broadband, and competition for landline
>calls is fierce, there is not much incentive for them to
>look for a VoIP-based replacement.
>
>That said, Skype has introduced many to internet telephony
>who might go on to use other services. The SIP market
>should welcome that opportunity, instead of trying to tell
>people how stupid they are for using Skype.
>
>And, despite what some posters here claim, the Skype
>PC-to-PC call quality is - for most subscribers - much
>superior to anything they will have used before.


There is another incentive to subscribe to Skype for VOIP not mentioned
here.

As I understand it, internationally Skype have the largest registered
VOIP subscriber base of all suppliers, and Skype to Skype calls are not
charged.

As well as being easy to set up, and allows web cams to see the other
party, they allow conferencing.

I do not use VOIP as my calls are paid for by my employer, and I do not
make many landline calls. So VOIP has not yet made a case (to me) for my
need to use it!

However, I am a poster to an internationally active technology group,
and most of them seem to have subscribed to Skype. This allows then to
speak, see each other and conference free when the need or mood drives
them.

So ... WHY SKYPE?

It is there, internationally subscribed to and works!

--
John Clark

In the "reply to", replace either "fredclark" or "Workgroup" with
"jonclark" for direct e-mail.
Brian A

2006-09-18, 1:11 pm

On Mon, 18 Sep 2006 11:54:15 +0100, John
<fredclark@consltec.demon.co.uk> wrote:

>people who use Skype are not typical of those who post to
They might not do but that is the way Skype, and the manufacturers of
Skype hardware, some of it comparitively expensive, are trying to
play it. Sadly, being non-technical and ignorant of other services
they are being drawn into forking out for Skype hardware that does not
afford good value for the limited service provided by the unique Skype
protocol.
[vbcol=seagreen]
>

It is usually quite good but sometimes B awful.
>There is another incentive to subscribe to Skype for VOIP not mentioned
>here.
>As I understand it, internationally Skype have the largest registered
>VOIP subscriber base of all suppliers, and Skype to Skype calls are not
>charged.

Yes people are on the same system but to contact someone on Skype
their computer has to be switched on or you contact them on a standard
landline and they then have to boot up their computer - bit of a faff.
Your statement ignores the fact that most SIP VoIP subscribers can
contact most other SIP VoIP subscribers - check out sipbroker
http://tinyurl.com/lvtwm
A SIP VSP doesn't even have to have peering agreements for subscribers
to be able to contact subscribers with other VSPs.

>As well as being easy to set up, and allows web cams to see the other
>party, they allow conferencing.

Web cams: Yes, this is a positive for Skype.
>
>So ... WHY SKYPE?
>
>It is there, internationally subscribed to and works!

In my experience, for the most part it, does work well but it is not
exclusive by its international presence. There are hundreds of VoIP
service providers world wide. For a list check out sipbroker on
http://tinyurl.com/lvtwm
I have used Skype from time to time but it is not something I take
seriously.

Lastly, I am a SIP VoIP snob and I don't care :-) !!


Remove 'no_spam_' from email address.
alexd

2006-09-18, 1:11 pm

SBS wrote:

> Who can grant me that skype doesn't use my broadband
> connection bandwidth to make possible some charged
> calls?


No-one, and I don't think anyone has ever claimed the opposite. And what
difference does it make if the calls are charged or not?

--
<http://ale.cx/> (AIM:troffasky) (UnSoEsNpEaTm@ale.cx)
18:36:55 up 23 days, 2:42, 4 users, load average: 0.26, 0.13, 0.06
This is my BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMSTICK

alexd

2006-09-18, 1:11 pm

Paul B wrote:

> OK, Philips are going to launch a Skype &
> landline DECT phone this Xmas (running Linux for those that are
> interested) who's base station plugs into an Ethernet port, phoneline &
> acts as a server. http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS8449749058.html
> If the premium over a std Philips DECT phone isn't too high (I've had good
> use from my Philips Onis system, now over 6yrs old), I maybe tempted but I
> take the point regarding hardware costs to access a 'free' service.


The aforementioned phone will be a lot cheaper than buying a PC to run Skype
on! But then again, who's got broadband and no PC?

--
<http://ale.cx/> (AIM:troffasky) (UnSoEsNpEaTm@ale.cx)
18:39:29 up 23 days, 2:44, 4 users, load average: 0.05, 0.09, 0.05
This is my BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMSTICK

Ivor Jones

2006-09-19, 1:11 am

"alexd" <look@my.sig> wrote in message
news:1447055.C4dDDJs51i@ale.cx
> Paul B wrote:
>
>
> The aforementioned phone will be a lot cheaper than
> buying a PC to run Skype on! But then again, who's got
> broadband and no PC?


Me, if I go somewhere and just take a Sipura 1001 with me and not my
laptop..! I stayed with a friend once and used my 1001 to make calls, I
used his PC to tweak the configuration when I plugged it in to the router
but I don't think he'd have been too keen on me installing Skype on it..!

Ivor


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