2007-02-04

SkypeOut, why to use?

I finished my last post with the phrase:"But let’s be fair, there still are reasons why you should use it …"
And mister Anonymous posted a comment defending SkypeOut here.

So, what are the reasons ...
  • Calls abroad are usually much more cheaper then the price your PSTN company charges you for
  • You don’t have to pay a monthly fee like you need to do for your PSTN phone company (although Skype is moving towards this system with SkypePro now!)
  • If you use a headset, you have your hands free to call and type on your computer keyboard
  • You can record your call with Pamela (I think the best tool on the market) or SAM and some others!
  • You have other interesting features, like importing your Outlook contact’s telephone numbers in Skype, and the Firefox or Explorer plugins that let you call with one click to PSTN numbers
  • Part of the calling route is encrypted, so more difficult to tap!
  • You can call from anywhere in the world where you have an internet connection for a fair price
  • You can send an SMS-message in an easy way
So, yes i will continue to call abroad with SkypeOut, although other and perhaps better solutions are coming up very very fast ... look here at GizmoCall!

11 comments:

Helen Varras said...

Phew....!!

Unknown said...

1. Cost? The cost of My local calls with SkypeOUT are a a tiny fraction of what they would be by ANY other system. $15 per year !!!! or $30 after Jan 31. .... flat rate

2. People can’t call you back? Get SkypeIN or move to a country where it is offered :) Seriously, More SkypeIN numbers are coming. Personally, I have a local number... not just a national number. As a result, Skype is truly a replacement for a landline. SkypeIN is crucial to the success of Skype. I don't understand why they are being so slow in implementing it.

3. No Caller ID? Ok. But sometimes that is an advantage.

4. Call quality not good? Not my experience. Even calls to mobile phones are fine, and getting better all the time.

Jean Mercier said...

hey Hudson,
not sure i want to move to bushcountry only for getting a SkypeIn number
;-)

I agree SkypeIn is crucial!

Anonymous said...

Calls abroad are usually much more cheaper then the price your PSTN company charges you for
- if you call alot, I think buying those phonescards are cheaper.

Calls abroad are usually much more cheaper then the price your PSTN company charges you for
- same as above, phonecards are cheaper. And cheaper Voip alternatives.

If you use a headset, you have your hands free to call and type on your computer keyboard
- theres something called a bluetooth headset. And it goes true for all Voip applications, such as VoipBuster.

You can record your call with Pamela (I think the best tool on the market) or SAM and some others!
- I'm not sure what pamela is, but if it records your skype calls, sure it can record other Voip Applications.

You have other interesting features, like importing your Outlook contact’s telephone numbers in Skype, and the Firefox or Explorer plugins that let you call with one click to PSTN numbers
- no comment on this one

Part of the calling route is encrypted, so more difficult to tap!
- no expert here.

You can call from anywhere in the world where you have an internet connection for a fair price
- goes true for many voip applications.

You can send an SMS-message in an easy way
- goes true for many voip applications.

I'm just a regular user.
I am no expert at technology.
Just a student very upset of what skype has done/announced recently.

Personally, I think VoipBuster and Gizmo are doing a better job at the moment.

Jean Mercier said...

Hello Jonathan,

Pamela and SAM are written for Skype, and are not able to record calls from other VoIP applications for the time being.

I am also upset, and i also think VoIPBuster and Gizmo are taking away customers from Skype!

Join the club ;-)

Anonymous said...

Whats the difference between VoipBuster and VoipStunt?? They look the same to me, just in different colours?

Jean Mercier said...

Jonathan,

Same company indeed, i don't understand why they made two products, but i think there are still minor differences between both products.

Anonymous said...

Thanks... I'll go play around with the 2.

Do you have any update regarding to the "Terms and Conditions" issue you previously mentioned, for skype.
The 3.9c connection fee thing.

Nafcom said...

Well, once SkypePro is out, it will be still cheaper for me than it is now

I will standby and wait.

I have read both of your blog's posts (Ike and yours, Jean) but I decided to keep mine a bit less emotional :)

Sudipta Das said...

2.1¢ per minute to over 30 global destinations, Rates based on destination country, Connection fee of 3.9¢ charged for each call, Buy Skype Credit to pay per-minute. The credits are deducted as you make your SkypeOut calls


Free conference call

Jean Mercier said...

hello Sudipta,

I don't get the meaning of your message, unless it is bringing people to your conference call website?