Skype: five steps to squashing Telkom

Do you use and appreciate Skype?

  • Yes, I love it!

    Votes: 50 86.2%

  • Nope, I use something else...

    Votes: 5 8.6%

  • VOIP? I need to read up on this!

    Votes: 3 5.2%
  • Total voters
    58
anybody knows if skype work on windows 98? want to load it on all pc's here but need to test it first on 98 ? anybody?
 
I heard on some podcast (TwiT or Engadget) podcast that Skype allows other users to piggyback on your bandwidth to make calls although i could not quite understand how.

I wonder if that means that I am using some bandwidth even if i am not in a call with anyone ?
 
Anyone have any idea what the person calling a SkypeIn number would pay?

My internet here at work won't allow me to view the Skype site. Thanks
 
Last edited:
ant5 said:
Anyone have any idea what the person calling a SkypeIn number would pay?

My internet here at work won't allow me to view the Skype site. Thanks
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when you choose your skypeIN number, you choose in what country you want it, you have a choice of a few. then ... quoted from skype.com ....
So, if you have a Chicago-based SkypeIn number, but you’re living somewhere in the suburbs of Paris, your Chicago area friends - or anyone! - can just dial your SkypeIn number, and your Skype on the other side of the world starts ringing... and your friends are only paying whatever their phone company charges them for making a phone call to Chicago.
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and

In what countries are SkypeIn numbers available?
SkypeIn numbers are currently available in the US, UK, France, Hong Kong, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Poland, Germany, Switzerland and Estonia.

We plan on to add more numbers and locations at a later date but do not have a specific timeline as to when numbers might be added.
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Now if there were South African SkypeIn numbers ... Then it would really be fun.
 
qDot said:
I heard on some podcast (TwiT or Engadget) podcast that Skype allows other users to piggyback on your bandwidth to make calls although i could not quite understand how.

I wonder if that means that I am using some bandwidth even if i am not in a call with anyone ?
Click to expand...

doesnt make sense, the call must still go through their line so they still have to use the same amount of bandwidth. so what would be the benefit, even IF you manage to go on someone elses b/width?
 
Thanks. So for the time being you would have to register a number from another country and anyone wanting to call you in JHB from JHB would in effect be charged for an int'l call, rite?
 
ant5 said:
Thanks. So for the time being you would have to register a number from another country and anyone wanting to call you in JHB from JHB would in effect be charged for an int'l call, rite?
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riiighhtt.... but! they could give you like a miss call or something similar, then you call them through skypeOUT and save like 5c per minute! :D
 
re skype using b/w for others - it does apparently get used as a node for other folks calls, I recall reading something about that - maybe on a skype forum somewhere - I tend to kill it once my own calling is done, to stop it using up b/w unless its during my own calls. You can keep an eye on it via a simple app like net limiter (useful for p2p given local constraints) Not sure if the 'node' mode only occurs at the same time you're using it for yourself, or generally..
 
@ Lonegun..

Do you mean you kill the Skype app? If so, then there's not much point in having a SkypeIn number, is there. I'm thinking of this in terms of it replacing a Telkom line, but I would need the Skype app running all the time in case of incoming calls.?
 
ant5 said:
@ Lonegun..I'm thinking of this in terms of it replacing a Telkom line, but I would need the Skype app running all the time in case of incoming calls.?
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nothing wrong with having skype open 24/7, but replacing a telkom phone entirely? nope, incoming calls you will still need telkom or you will have nobody calling you. but that means you still only have to pay the adsl line rental as you can get incoming calls on that, and call using skypeout. and normal skype when possible. works for me, can work for you!
 
Okay, so the calls are cheaper. I rekon it's worth it if you use the telephone alot, but with the 30Euros charge and the average amount of calls being made, does it still work out cheaper?
 
Thing is, I don't have a Telkom line, and have spent the last 3 months waiting for them to install one. I'm on the verge of telling them to can it, but before I do, I would like to know if Skype will do most (I realise not all) of the things that a telkom line would. As for nobody calling me, that's fine, I'll give the necessary people the SkypeIN number, the rest of the calls or either for the maid or estate agents.....
Bviously this would be via a wireless connection then....
 
And this is the reason why Telkom doesn't want to roll out ADSL services and
keeps the prices so high :(
 
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