Question: Questions about Skype

bama579 · Apr 19, 2016

For anyone using it, hope you will share what you know. Want to use it to "phone with pictures" over a high speed connection, but know next to nothing about it. I'm using Windows7 on a laptop. It has a camera and microphone.

Is there a charge for use?

I don't even know enough to ask questions and am looking for input before downloading the program.

Thanks in advance.

92tide · Apr 19, 2016

basic skype is free. i use it all of the time traveling (domestic and international) to call home. you do need a good connection. i mostly use it on my ipad.

you can pay a fee and get more features but im not sure what all is involved with that.

rolltide_21 · Apr 19, 2016

I've used Skype in my trips to Myanmar. It works ok there even though they don't have a good connection. Sometimes it was audio only. In my recent trips I've used either FaceTime (I'm an apple user) or the video call on Facebook messenger. The latter two options don't require as much bandwidth so even if you don't have a great connection it still works well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

tidefanbeezer · Apr 20, 2016

I've used the free version for a long time.

I use the audio only stuff for conference calls at work, since its all toll free numbers.

Anytime my wife or I are out of town for an extended period of time, we'll use the Skype video features to talk to each other and the kids. We've also Skyped with friends that are in Europe with no problems.

Typically, the limiting factor is your internet connection.

AlistarWills · Apr 20, 2016

Our HR dept where I work has been using it for some high-level, long distance interviews. Works really well.

mittman · Apr 20, 2016

I use the basic free services (connections to other Skye sessions) all of the time, and as others have pointed out bandwidth on both ends cause most of the problems. I rarely have any. Charges come into play when you want to call phones from Skype.

TIDE-HSV · Apr 20, 2016

I haven't used it for a couple of years, since my daughter moved back from Germany to NoVA. (We don't see them any more frequently now, but we don't use Skype, for some reason.) I was surprised at the quality of it, the first time we used it. I have Comcast's tier which is supposed to produce 105 mbps, but usually just yields about 95. A number of years ago, probably mid '90s, when my son was in the army in Korea, they arranged a holiday video conference out on Redstone. This was cutting edge technology at the time - what the army itself was using for video conferences in a highly-equipped video conference room. Five years ago, the Skype quality was much better...

Gr8hope · Apr 20, 2016

I don't use it, prefer just voice, but do know several grandparents who use it to communicate with grandchildren who live a distance from them.

Bama Reb · Apr 20, 2016

I don't use it here at home, but it's great when you're in an area with no cell service but free Wi-Fi.

bama579 · Apr 20, 2016

Thanks to those who offered advice and opinions!

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