skype?

[sian_5062266]

I have just ordered a wireless laptop to use in france and spain to do my banking etc and I've been told that I can use it to make free calls to the Uk by using "skype"? Can anyone outthere tell me what this is and how I actually do it, and are there any bits I will need? I did ask the sales chap and he said I don't need anything as I can use the pc's "voice over" which I thought I knew what he was on about, but then realised I haven't got a clue!!! Simple plain english answers please as I don't have a technical cell in my head.

Thank you all

Sian

 

[rob_jax]

My company has it's headquarters in Rotterdam and a sub-office in the UK - and make a lot of phone calls, often discussing technical issues for hours at a time.

We implemented SKYPE a few years ago and saved a fortune on telephone bills.

SKYPE works just like e-mail, in that it links one PC to another PC, enables information to pass backwards and forwards, and is generally free (assuming you have a free Internet connection)

Each SKYPE user needs a PC or laptop with a sound card (your laptop should have a red and green socket for these) and a microphone and speaker - most people like to use a headset with a boom microphone - about

 

[Lawrence1]

If you are going to be speaking to family and/or friends, you can also use a video cam with Skype which will give you visual and verbal contact. We have used it to keep in touch with our daughter on her 'round the world' trip and it was great.

 

[Graham_374228415]

My laptop has built in wireless with a camera and speakers. When I talk and see friends in other parts of the country I often take the laptop outside so they can see what wonderful weather we are having.

 

[ThePlotter]

Sian,you ask for answers in plain English even after posting elsewhere in Welsh and extolling its virtues,tut tut (only joking I was impressed that you are bi-lingual )

 

[sian_5062266]

thanks everyone, I've just received my new laptop, so having just installed all my software I've got some time to practice and find out about this skype, with regards to the welsh comment thanks, I was speaking literally, whilst I may be able to speak 2 languages, I definitely cannot speak or understand pc jargon in either!!

 

[ThePlotter]

Yeah I can relate to that my brother in law uses Skype and talks for ages to family in canada and Oz free of charge as they have skype also,but even if you ring a non skype person it is still very cheap.

 

[KeithJ]

you can ring people on their land lines in most countries for 1.4 pence per minute. You can do this from your laptop in most countries where you can get an internet connection.

Keith J.