skype

From what I'm led to believe you can only use Skype with someone else that also has it installed ans setup with the appropriate voice hardware (headset, etc). We have Skype but tend not to use it much as you need the computer on, etc to make or receive a call.

You would obviously have to ensure that regular contacts have it installed and also have the means to communicate through the computer.

There are other systems out such as VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocal) which uses the computers modem to connect to/from a normal telephone via the USB port.

I'd speak to a computer specialist or retailer, Harvey Norman or Dick Smith have most things computer nowadays.

Lyndon,

Check out this site also

www.voipcheap.com/en/index.html

Cheers

Initially Nextg was good for VOIP but now it has become poor (network overloaded in quite a few locations + the firmware/software bugs).

A bit more expensive ($0.14/min CDMA mobile to land line) is pennytel with callback. Note $0.14/min is far better than $0.90/min + Flagfall Telstra charges.

Some locations VOIP still works fine, others it drops out alot or it just does not work (you hear the other person but they just hear a bit here and there).

Why is "land*ine" word rejected at exploroz?

G'day Lyndon, I have it loaded and Next G broadband too. MM me and I will send you the name, and will try it from Warraweena

Daughter Caitie is heading off overseas tomorrow. We can see and speak to her for free wherever she is.

Problem is, you have to both be on the computer at the same time!

It's the future of communications.

Cheers.

Skype is good.. 3 different (main capabilities)

Skype: can video and voice over IP to other skype users for free
Skype In: $50 a year for your own 'phone number' which land line users can call
Skype Out: Allows you to call land lines world wide - general call costs are 2.7c per min for land line in Aust, and approx 26c per min for mobiles - cost of the call is shown when you use it - all costs are shown on the Skype web page.

Excellent product, though have had problems with it choosing its own audio input/output, and not always what is selected..

NextG is great access where you have coverage - though I just came back from Shoalwater Bay (north of Rockhampton), where I had four bars on my Optus mobile, but only one on the NextG - I was able to download mail, but it was like the old 9.6k connection - half an hour for 20 small emails.. Skype was unuseable.

Notwithstanding the above - a great product

try this site it may be of help.it costs $129.00 for the analogue telephone adaptor box and $10 a month access fee and you can use it on any computer .calls to the same setup are free and calls to fixed phone lines are10c per call local and std,to mobiles 20c call,international calls from 2c to 3.9c a minute. a lot of buissneses are using ths setup .it costs nothing to to phone between company offices/hq and the calls to clients are 10c .hope this is of help
www.ready.com.au/ReadyComputing/VoIP.html

goodday
we are trying to setup skype for the same reason (travelling ) but cannot get it to work with vista and there doesnt appear to be any patches yet (and may not come as microsoft look like they are going to get into voip early next year)
anybody having success with vista like to pass on any secrets

steve