I have been seeing a lot of talk on here about people using skype.

I am confused on what skype is exactly. It appears to be similar to Vonage, am I wrong?

What are the advantages to skype over Vonage?

Krausen,
I do not know what Vonage is, but Skype is free skype-to-skype videocall service. Skype also offers low phone rates. I would suggest you look it up on the internet. It's easy to find.

I use it for all my business calls since I haven't been able to find a cheaper provider. I find Skype is also very reliable both for video and normal calls.

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Hilde
www.vbbassociates.com

EAinSpain's is right. I highly recommend Skype as well and believe you will find this to be useful for your business.

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LaTosha Johnson
http://www.targetstars.com

I have used Skype since the inception of my business. It runs me a little over $60 per year. First I chose a phone number (around $30 for the year - other plans available), and so that I didn't have to buy credits to use the system for non-Skype calls, I selected a subscription plan (approximately $30 for the year - depends on what country/countries you choose) that best suited the country/countries I would need free calling to and from for non-Skype calls (for me it was US and Canada).

In order to use Skype, you download Skype's software to your computer (different OS's available - mine was Windows version).

The reason I did it this way is because not all folks have Skype, so this gave me a phone number that I use for my business, and I can call anywhere in the US or Canada from my Skype phone from my computer - free.

Skype has some very cool features: video conferencing, instant messaging (IM), screen sharing, text messaging, file sharing, voice mail w/personalized message, among other features.

I had also checked out RingCentral, but found Skype to cover my needs at a lower cost - and I love the IM feature especially because I can chat or send a quick IM to others that have Skype easily.

HTH a bit!

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Nice post, Jules. (You are always looking for great blog material...that would be a nice post.)

Thank you for that explanation. I don't use Skype for much more than videoconferencing but I wasn't aware of other features. I'm using Google Voice (for the number) and I'm not terribly satisfied.

Janine

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Originally Posted by Your Virtual Wizard

Nice post, Jules. (You are always looking for great blog material...that would be a nice post.) Janine

Hmmm...I hadn't thought of that, Janine. Great idea. I've been working on my very first post for my soon-to-be blog and the blog challenge.

Thanks!

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Yes thank you Jules

I was on the skype website but they do a poor job of explaining what they have and how it works. Maybe you should contact them for a website overhaul.

I assume I have to buy a skype phone for it to work? And everything I read says about making calls and nothing about receiving them. I assume I can receive calls also?

Yes, you can call and receive calls via Skype. I have a Skype number (not availble for all countries). I find their website quite informative and they have a very good helpdesk which responds very quickly and thorougly. I'm very happy with them.

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Hilde
www.vbbassociates.com

Originally Posted by krausen

Yes thank you Jules I was on the skype website but they do a poor job of explaining what they have and how it works. Maybe you should contact them for a website overhaul. I assume I have to buy a skype phone for it to work? And everything I read says about making calls and nothing about receiving them. I assume I can receive calls also?

Yes, their website is hard to decipher what you need to do or subscribe to. (I included links in my post just because of this, and because I had this problem when first signing up as to what I needed for my business phone. )

You don't need to buy a special phone - all you do is download their software to your computer (also in the links I included previously). And yup, you can call people or they can call you (if you provide them your Skype phone number). You don't have an actual physical phone that you use - the software has a key pad that you can use to "dial" numbers.

One thing to note: you do need to have computer speakers and a mic, or headset w/mic, to hear and talk.

If this is about as clear as mud, just ask away about anything that you need additional help with. We're here to help.

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Skype is a terrific tool -- I used it for calling my daughters when they were studying abroad in England and Ireland. I did have a Skype account before then (when my oldest daughter went off to college, as many moms do when their kids go off for the first time). Making calls internationally was very inexpensive, and because you need to purchase "credits" to make the calls, you never have to worry about a huge bill slapping you in the face at the end of the month. In addition to simply making those calls, you are able to use it as video conferencing (one-on-one) absolutely free!

I love using Skype. I know many of us in this business are always sort of "cut off" from the world. We work in our own little offices that are in a little area of our homes, and it's nice to speak with someone over Skype. To me, it just makes a conversation so much more personal. And as noted, the IM is terrific as well. You can send links to files as you are conferencing. I couldn't live without it!

If I can help you in any way, just let me know. I'm an "old hat" at Skype. But, hey, I'm not old!!

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Patty