11-12-2003, 05:48 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Finally - VOIP that Really Works!
Completely off-topic, but I wanted to share with you all a very exciting program that a friend told me about last week. It's called Skype, and it was created by the makers of KaZaA - but it's not for file sharing, it's for voice chatting. There are three things that make Skype extremely impressive to me:
The voice quality is amazing - it's better than phone quality, and upon my first use the quality of my friends voice was so high is sounded like he was in the room with me. It was actually kind of eerie. :worried:
The software uses port 80, so it slips through firewalls without hassle, which means end users behind firewalls don't need to reconfigure ports. In fact, there's no configuration at all - it even dynamically selects the best voice codec for you depending on your bandwidth.
Most impressive of all, it works flawlessly from behind a NAT (network address translation) layer, meaning that those of us behind routers and gateways can actually use it.
They also have plans for having Skype dial regular land-line phones, and I've emailed them to ask about a Pocket PC version - wouldn't that be cool? The beta is free, but they'll eventually charge for the software and possibly a subscription-based service. Assuming they don't screw up a really great idea by charging too much for it per month, Skype could become the "next big thing". Check it out!
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11-12-2003, 06:18 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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I should add that once they get their "one to many" conferencing system in place, assuming it doesn't cost an arm and a leg, I'd like to start doing Pocket PC Thoughts Q&A sessions - I think that would be cool. :-D
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11-12-2003, 06:36 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 298
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I'm a big fan of VOIP. In fact, the only house phone I own is my Vonage one. I've had nothing but great servie with Vonage.
I'm not too be tied to an app to do VOIP, though. The beauty of Vonage is it works with any phone and is literally plug and play. and it dials to any phone, period. The other people don't need special software or hardware.
If this Skype could dial phones, I would be more excited.
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11-12-2003, 06:44 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 13
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Whatever you do... Don't use Skype!
Nathan
(Sprint Employee :cry: )
No really, I've done some testing with Skype and its the most impressive VOIP app I've seen to date. They plan on making money by offering additional features later on. One of those features will be the ability to call land lines as well.
- Nathan
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11-12-2003, 06:44 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by sub_tex
If this Skype could dial phones, I would be more excited.
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They're going to be adding that feature soon. For me at least, this is amazing, because I enjoy using VOIP while playing multi-player games. I don't want to hold a phone up to my head while playing a game. :wink:
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11-12-2003, 07:15 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 20
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Great
I tested Skype 2 month ago with a colleague and I was also very impressed. It worked flawless and the quality was outstanding.
I hope they will keep the basic service for free. ;-)
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11-12-2003, 07:30 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 252
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Re: Finally - VOIP that Really Works!
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jason Dunn
It's called Skype, and it was created by the makers of KaZaA -
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Hmm...makers of KaZaA...How much spyware is included as an added extra?
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11-12-2003, 07:31 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,398
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How do you call other computers? Do you just enter their IP?
Sounds like I'll have to try this - NetMeeting just doesn't work in all environments.
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11-12-2003, 07:36 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 10
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says on the downloads page no spyware/adware. Anyway to use this on a ppc..that would be awesome
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11-12-2003, 07:39 PM
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Theorist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 268
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by David Prahl
How do you call other computers? Do you just enter their IP?
Sounds like I'll have to try this - NetMeeting just doesn't work in all environments.
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don't even need to bother.. it's like msn messenger, aim, etc. just create a username and add each other to your "buddy list"
also supports text messages for when quality isnt so clear. 
-arebelspy
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