Yikes! Just got my first telephone bill and I need another way to talk to my family back home...and I don't think they will see my smoke signals....so, does anyone use the internet to call the USA?
Which do you use? Skype, Net2Phone, other?
Does it save you any money, is it easy to use, can you hear clearly?
Any insite would be beneficial!

We just moved back to the US from Sweden. We have been talking to Sweden audio/video just using MSN Messenger for free. No problems whatsoever. You jsut both need a broadband connection. It will work with dialup too probably, but not very well.

You can use Telia on your computer but it is expensive...
BUT for 15USD you can use Skype for about 20-30 hours....but if the other person subscripes to Skype first (your US family, or whatnot) then you can use it for free...
In my experience the sound/connection with the computer has more to do with your computer than your phone system...hope this helps!
-Rebekah
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"I think people should be free to engage in any sexual practices they choose; they should draw the line at goats though."
Elton John

I've used Skype to talk to my mother, daughter & other family members for about a year. Sometimes there's a bit of static or an echo but I've experienced that on a regular 'land line' call too so I don't really consider that a problem when it happens. For the most part, I can always get thru which isn't always the case when I call on the phone, the connection is always good and you just can't beat the cost as they all have computers too so it's free. I've not tried the newer computer-to-land-line deal that Skype now has yet but the price wasn't that much different than the calling card I have stashed for emergencies. But if Skype begins charging for all calls I'll probably keep using it as long as the price is good.

We use skype every day to call the US, mostly using the skype feature called Skype out that let you call regular US land lines for 2 cents per minute. Occasionally, we chat with someone over there who also has Skype and then it is for free.

Buying a cheap headset is definitely worth it when using Skype.

I keep looking at headsets but I do just fine with the microphone attached to the computer & the speakers we have. I'll eventually get around to getting a headset but it's not absolutely necessary to have one if you use Skype. Just a lot more convenient!

I use Skype at work on a daily basis to talk to my US counterparts. It works great. Headset is a must though, as a microphone and speakers isn't an ideal set up. (The mic will pick up the sound of the speakers creating an unbearable echo effect.)

Skype rocks.
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Otherwise, try Universal Telecom..dirt cheap phone calls to USA....

www.uvtc.com

i use it every day and its super cheap!!!!

How about getting a webcam? They're pretty cheap and you'll be able to hear and see the person you are talking to without any expense at all. My brother and I both have an iSight which makes things about easy as they come...if you have a Mac....

www.apple.com/isight

A reason to switch...
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Porcelina

Thanks everyone—I'll give Skype a try!

Yes, Skype is easy and cheap. You have to make a real effort to use up your Euros!!

Using MSN messenger also, but sometimes firewalls, set up and versions seem to get in the way for "painless" chatting with friends overseas.
Skype is easier somehow.



PS Anyone who can recommend a good headset? What should I look for when purchasing one? Thanks!!
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There must be more to life than having everything.

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Well, except when it comes to strollers, potties & TRACTORS I guess...

quote:

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Originally posted by Helga:
Otherwise, try Universal Telecom..dirt cheap phone calls to USA....

www.uvtc.com

i use it every day and its super cheap!!!!

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We use Asterisk on our Linux Server. It is great, but requires a lot of patience to set up.
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quote:

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Originally posted by chibi:


PS Anyone who can recommend a good headset? What should I look for when purchasing one? Thanks!!

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I think the market leader is Plantronics right now. Don't really know how they compare to the competition but I have a couple of plantronic ones and they all work well. I also have a 89 SEK one that I got at Clas Ohlsson and it works pretty well too...

We use skype too and it is really great quality. We actually like using a mic and speakers because then we both can hear...itis like we are just in the other room with them. We also call on the phone with pgone (pgone.se) It's pretty cheap and the quality is also good.