I’ve heard and read about Skype for a while, but never really had reason to give them a try, bu after reading that you can call any number in the U.S. and Canada for free, I figured I’d give it a try.
For those of you who don’t know Skype, it’s an Internet-based phone service, sort of like an audio version of IM. You have other Skype users on your contact list, and if they are online you can call them and talk for free. I’d never needed to try Skype before because, 1. I don’t make many long distance phone calls, and 2. I get 120 min. a month of long distance through my local phone service and finally 3. because I don’t know any friends who use it regularly.
While Skype usually charges a minimal amount to call actual phone numbers (skype to skype calls are always free), thye recently announced that all calls to U.S. and Canadian numbers are free through the rest of the year. Okay, now it’s time to dig that labtec headphone out of the basement and give this Skype thing a try…
The results? Yup it works, I can all any number and sure enough they can hear me and I can hear them. does that mean I’ll start using Skype? Probably not. Yeah I like trying new services out, but I don’t really need to be making phone calls while connected to the computer by a six foot headphone cord. Maybe the next time Sarah’s in Europe again I’ll have her bring along a headset so we can talk instead of IM, but other than that, I think I’ll stick to the phone.