Skype

[Kazal]

My sister is in Australia and she wants me to instal Skype. I know nothing about computers so a) is it easy enough for me to instal (she told me to get the skype phone as well, is it compatible with BT?) b) is there any criteria regarding my PC I need to know about before I get it (I don't wish to look a complete idiot in the shop) How much does it cost?
I would be grateful for as much idiot type information that you can give me.
Thanks

[sinderella]

its very easy.
its free if you both are on skype.
you can also use webcam
it will save you many pounds
it has nothing to do with bt as it works on your pc
a basic pc will run it fine
its just a phone or webcam you plug into a usb socket
try it and you will love it

[rsvp]

agree with sinderella - I'm a dope on a computer but dowloaded skype, worked out how to use it (dead easy) and spend ages on it to family overseas. It's brilliant honestly and so, so simple.

[andy-hughes]

Me too- the present Mrs Hughes and I got it when she had to abroad to work in Abu Dhabi for four weeks. We got a webcam for our desk-top, hers has one installed, and downloaded Skype on both PC's and tried it, with her in the next room. The reception was a bit dodgy, sound was fuzzy.

She went to AD which is several thousand miles away, and the picture and sound were just perfect!!!

Beware of doing anything that you do when you are on the phone - pull funny faces, play with your ears, or worse - because you have to remember that the other person can still see you!!!

[headwreck]

all the things sinderella says

if there is a built in microphone on your pc you won't need a skype phone plugged into your usb socket, just download skype, set yourself up with a username, find your sister by her username, add to contacts, make a test call to the skype centre to be sure everything is working mic, camera if your gonna use it and speakers so that you can here your sister, it's totally free to talk all day and night, enjoy :)

[pusskin]

I'd be lost without my Skype! its automatically turned on as I turn my p.c on.
Its brilliant and doesnt cost a penny x

[Jumbo747]

If my 95year-old mother can use it, you can! Her face when talking to her grandson in Japan was an absolute picture!
Just download Skype and using a webcam you can have video-phonecalls. Forget BT - nothing to do with them. And you don't need to have a Skype phone either. And the best bit - it's free!

[headwreck]

and rsvp & andy-hughes

[hc4361]

I don't have a landline so I do have a Skype phone that is wireless with the transmitter plugged in to my router. I works without the pc and is like a normal phone in every respect.

I also have a very cheap usb 'phone' handset that I use with my laptop when I'm out and about, for the sake of privacy.

What I use mostly at home though is a straightforward headset with a built in mic. Very comfortable and easy to use whenever I am in front of my pc. A webcam is optional - use it if you want to.

This is the sort of headset I mean:
http://www.argos.co.u...headsets|14419142.htm

USB Skype phone:
http://www.google.co....oXaAw&ved=0CGgQ8wIwAQ

Skype phone
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

Skype is very easy to install, set up and use.

[glasman]

As many have mentioned, Skype to Skype is free. You can , however, ring landlines anywhere in the world with it at very cheap rates. For example, I can speak for an hour to my sister in America and it costs approx 60 - 70 cents.

[hc4361]

Yes, indeed. I have a SkypeIn number, which looks like a landline number, so people can phone me on Skype without realising they are doing so.
Same price for them as calling a landline.

[flicrat]

And it is wonderful to be able to have three or four way conversations with the children and grandchildren, although you won't get a picture of them if you are all using it at once.