Skype.

[MicroBalrog]

Cool program.

Without further ado: Anybody here use it? What nick? Mine's obvious.

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

What is skype?

[Iain]

Skype is a VoIP program. Telephone calls over the internet, either to another computer and there is no charge for that, or to a normal phone, which I believe can be quite cheap. A friend of mine went to Italy for a year and used it to stay in touch, cheaper than a normal phone. Ebay bought the company, and they have integrated it into their auction site, but I've not seen many users use that function.

Nice to see you Micro.

[Vodka7]

For the rest of 2006, calls to any phone number in the US from Skype are free.  Incoming calls, if you want it to have a real phone number, require pre-paid credits.

AOL has launched AIM Phone, which works the opposite--incoming calls are free, but you have to pay for outgoing calls.  So if you sign up for both Skype and AIM, you could make and receive all of your calls for free.  (AIM Phone was not available in every market when it first launched though; I'm not sure if that's still the case.)

Skype is a P2P service, unlike most other VOIP carriers, so when you're signed into Skype it uses your connection to route other people's calls.  All calls are encrypted with a key-based system.

Skype-to-Skype calls are always free, though, and it's a really nice system--much easier than setting up your own TeamSpeak or Ventrilo server.  I use it to stay in touch with friends abroad--you can't beat free calls to Canada and Algeria.

[MicroBalrog]

Skype-to-Skype calls are always free, though, and it's a really nice system--much easier than setting up your own TeamSpeak or Ventrilo server.  I use it to stay in touch with friends abroad--you can't beat free calls to Canada and Algeria.

That's the key there.

500,000 Israelis are using skype for internal calls... loses Bezeq lots of money.

[matis]

I just read an article on Google News that Skype has introduced a Skype phone that works without a computer or laptop.

It plugs into a regular phone jack as well as a broadband connection.

They aim to have it available for sale for the '06 Christmas season.  Around $150




matis

[Zed]

I've used it before, but the last time I tried it was a few years back and it's audio quality wasnt to great....

& Long Time no See Micro!