[Leaplist] skype (Jimmy)

[Fred Moore]

Chris wrote:
> Jimmy wrote:
>
>> What kind of phone do you have to have? I read once where you and
>> the  calling party have to have software phones.  Is this true? I
>> have never  even tried to set it up.
>>
> Negative. Skype is VOIP (mostly) which means that it will
> let you use the mike and speaker of your computer. So your
> computer is the phone. When you are on-line with skype,
> and another Skype user contacts you (your on-line status
> is maintained on Skype servers, I believe) your computer
> will play a ring-tone, and you click the connect button and
> start talking. Headphones are recommended over speakers
> to avoid feedback into the mike.
>
> Skype will also integrate with the POTS phone system. You
> can dial any conventional phone. This used to be free in
> the U.S. (North America maybe?) but I believe there is a
> charge now. According to Skype, Skype to Skype calls will
> always be free. Other Skype users can contact you using your
> Skype ID. To permit users of conventional phones to call
> you, you must purchase a Skype phone number.
>
> HTH
>
> Cheers,
>
> Chris
>
>
>> On Wed, 30 May 2007 11:26:44 -0400, Chris <Chris at NeptunePCTech.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Grrrr - that part is easy - the part where it keeps barfing on
>>> my sound device isn't as easy. I've tried both ALSA and OSS,
>>> with very spotty results. Usually get one call out, then it claims
>>> the sound device is busy on the next call and I have to restart it.
>>>
>>> Also - what's up with their offnet pricing? You used to be able
>>> to call any American (North American?) POTS phone for free.
>>> Is that not the case anymore?
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>>
>>> Chris
>>>
>>>
>>> Corey Leong wrote:
>>>
>>>> I do.  Works great!  Easy install and config.
>>>>
>>>> Corey
>>>>
>>>> Fred Moore wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> anyone using skype on linux.. how good is it, any comments.. Fred
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
>>
>>
>
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So to clear some of this up.  When I attempted to run skype under ubuntu
it would fail the echo audio test.  Actually no audio was being rounted
from my microphone.  So started googling  I found mention of all of the
problems memtioned under previous version of ubuntu..  well bottom line
it required installing gnome asla mixer and turning on the mic.  it
showed on with the command line but not in the gui.. I think they are
actually controlling different devices.. anyway.. bottom line it is
working but havn't had time to tweek,  and the pots service has been
changed from free to 29.95 per year for what they call skypeout which
gives you unlimited computer to pots in the us and Canada.  and  skypein
for 38 bucks gives you a virtual phone number in any city you want 
unlimited with voice mail for one year..

So there you have it.. in my case If I am talking to a customer I am
either in my car, or at my desk in front of the computer.. so 
29.95/year beats the hell out of packet8 at 29.95 Plus tax per month.. 
Did I mention the quality is as good as vontage or packet8..   So now I
will test for about a month, if all goes well  packet8 will be out of
here.. Fred


-- 
"everyone has a right to his own opinion, but not his own facts"
"The American Indians found out what happens when you don't control 
immigration."    Fred/WD8KNI