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zipperzap · Nov 17, 2007, 01:26 PM

I'm curious - I've been reading about it and it seems to be legit. Wondering if anyone here has used it. Any opinions?
Thanks

Atheist · Nov 17, 2007, 01:32 PM

I live by Skype! It's my link back to the developed world. I use it for all my long distance calls (SkypeOut) and I also have two SkypeIn numbers in the States. One for work and one for my family and friends so they can call me for free (it's a local call for them). I can also forward my Skype account to my mobile phone so when I'm not at my computer it rings on my iPhone... of course that costs me for the Skype call to St. Maarten (around US .17 cents/min). I seriously couldn't live without it! It's been worth every penny.

Cold Warrior · Nov 17, 2007, 01:35 PM

I use it for video chatting and it works very well and is reliable (whereas iChat, for some reason, has connectivity issues when both parties are behind separate routers. At least for me).

I intend to try the paid features in the future.

PaperNotes · Nov 17, 2007, 01:37 PM

I keep getting porn spam and have to block the bastards.

Atheist · Nov 17, 2007, 01:40 PM

Forget to mention. I recently got a cordless VOIP Skype phone from Philips that connects directly to my router... don't even have to have my computer turned on. It's awesome! It's nice to look at as well:

Atheist · Nov 17, 2007, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by PaperNotes

I keep getting porn spam and have to block the bastards.

That happens about once or twice a month with me.

PaperNotes · Nov 17, 2007, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by Atheist

That happens about once or twice a month with me.

That is happening about five times a day right now. I ought to hide my profile from the public or whatever.

imitchellg5 · Nov 17, 2007, 02:50 PM

I use it, but not very often. It works great for audio chatting with a friend in Manilla. Other then that, I stick with iChat.

MrForgetable · Nov 17, 2007, 03:13 PM

Video chatting. iChat is bleh for me.

ShortcutToMoncton · Nov 17, 2007, 03:28 PM

Solely for video chatting. None of the people I talk to has a Mac, and iChat doesn't seem to play well with AIM (or not at all with MSN of course).

I like it, but it does seem to have its kooks. It crashes randomly about 25% of the time I'd say.

greg

zipperzap · Nov 17, 2007, 08:12 PM

Hmmmmm. Been playing with it all day - no problems, no muss, no fuss. Works great!

Big Mac · Nov 18, 2007, 06:48 AM

I'm going to try it for the first time. Downloading right now. Nice OS X presentation so far. Btw, to the OP, you do know that eBay bought Skype a while back, right?

B Gallagher · Nov 18, 2007, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by PaperNotes

That is happening about five times a day right now. I ought to hide my profile from the public or whatever.

Preferences > Privacy > change everything to "only people whom I have authorized"

Used to get the same problem, but since changing this Skype's been spam free!

Big Mac · Nov 18, 2007, 07:25 AM

I need a webcam. Anyone ever figure out why Apple discontinued the iSight?

nonhuman · Nov 18, 2007, 08:10 AM

I used Skype as my work line for a while, but I found the voicemail system was unreliable and just didn't work very well. Now I just use my cell phone. I'm considering trying again, but this time using Gizmo.

JoshuaZ · Nov 18, 2007, 08:38 AM

Skype is a godsend for those of us living abroad. Easy and cheap phone call all over the world. I used it quite a bit last week to make several hotel reservations in New Zealand.

philm · Nov 18, 2007, 11:33 AM

I think I'm surprised that there are people on here who don't use Skype. It's a great IM option too, with cross-platform exchange of files very snappy.

euchomai · Nov 18, 2007, 12:08 PM

I use Skype with my Grandcentral number. People call my grandcentral number and it rings my skype and cell phone at the same time. I can choose which phone to pick up. If I want I can just let voicemail pickup and grandcentral's voicemail system is amazing. It is the solution to skype's lousy voicemail.

Rumor · Nov 18, 2007, 03:09 PM

I'm thinking about using it for business, but I'm not sure if it cost effective. The only reason I would need it is if I go over the minutes in my cell plan.

Cadaver · Nov 18, 2007, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by Atheist

...of course that costs me for the Skype call to St. Maarten (around US .17 cents/min). I seriously couldn't live without it! It's been worth every penny.

0.17¢ or $0.17??
17/100ths of a cent or 17 cents.

Andy8 · Nov 18, 2007, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by philm

I think I'm surprised that there are people on here who don't use Skype. It's a great IM option too, with cross-platform exchange of files very snappy.

Exactly. Its a great IM.

Atheist · Nov 18, 2007, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by Cadaver

0.17¢ or $0.17??
17/100ths of a cent or 17 cents.

17 cents

iranfromthezoo · Nov 19, 2007, 03:14 PM

I use and love Skype. I use it to communicate with my friend who moved to China to teach English. It works really well and never have a problem. I love the whole VOIP thing.

Andrew Stephens · Nov 19, 2007, 06:17 PM

I use skype all the time as my wife's family live in America and South Africa so the video chat is great. Seems a bit fragile under Leopard though. Had to download and reinstall several times. After one of two uses the application refuses to start, just hoping in the dock then giving up. After a reinstall I get one or two more gores then it breaks again!

Shame cos it's a real family favourite here.

Tyre MacAdmin · Nov 19, 2007, 06:32 PM

I use Skype... i've got a number for my Skype that is in my old area code so people can still keep up with me since I moved.

Mastrap · Nov 19, 2007, 06:36 PM

We use Skype to give our UK customers a local UK number to call. The call is then forwarded to my number in Toronto. It works extremely well.

Brass · Nov 19, 2007, 08:43 PM

iChat video is far better quality. But Skype connectivity is far more reliable (and is better cross-platform).

Why can't Apple get this right with iChat? Can't be that hard, surely?