International communication

[Jerry1982]

Hey, the daughter is in Central America for the summer. We were thinking we should install Skype so we could visit with her.
Question 1: Is Skype the best option out there?
Question 2: What do I need to make Skype work?
? Skype credit?
? Headphones?

Thanks.

[brianhos]

Headphones and a microphone.

Skype or Yahoo are both good choices. Both are dirt cheap. I would use them to just IM each other most of the time, that is free.

[Psyclone]

It's been a couple of years since I played around with it, so things may have changed. If you both install Skype it is a pretty good way to go. I know international businesses that have used with great success.

When I was playing around with it, I bought the device in the link below. It allows you to use your existing phones, although you will need to keep a computer running. I connected the base station for my wireless phone and you could make Skype or regular calls from any of the wireless phones. There may be better devices now that you can investigate. But I'd get it installed first before moving on to the accessories.

At the time I was messing with it, I thought it would be ideal if they had a device that connected directly to your network rather than via a computer's USB port, but it would then have to be a bit smarter than the linked device. Computers don't recover from power outages gracefully, so it needs to be checked periodically to make sure it's still running.

Skype USB Phone Adapter - DPH-50U by D-Link

[Psyclone]

Originally Posted by Jerry1982

Hey, the daughter is in Central America for the summer. We were thinking we should install Skype so we could visit with her.
Question 1: Is Skype the best option out there?
Question 2: What do I need to make Skype work?
? Skype credit?
? Headphones?

Thanks.

1. Probably. They've been around a long time. Many ex-patriots us it to call home. If you both install Skype, you have nothing to lose by checking it out. Skype to Skype is free and works just like an Internet Messenger, but with voice and video capability.

2. Install the software both on your computer and hers, speaker, microphone.

3. No Skype credit required for Skype to Skype calls. It's free as long as both of you have Skype installed. If you are planning to use Skype only at your end to a regular phone at the other end, there are charges involved and you will probably want to set up an account. I'm not sure if "Skype Out" calls are cheap. You can check rates to the particular country.

4. No headphones required. Your computer speakers are adequate unless you want privacy. Also need a microphone. You can add a camera later if you want video.

You probably will need to coordinate a time window of when you are going to call so the daughter will have her computer on. If you both routinely use the computer on a daily basis, you can see when each other are online by checking the Skype messenger, just like any of the other messengers.