Im a nobody when it comes to technology so I need some help with Skype??How much does it cost to use??It would be handy as ive got a mate in Oz and would like to get him on Skype as long as the cost is minimal to both of us
So some one could help me please??

The cost depends on how you use it.

If you 'phone' computer to computer, the cost is nil.

If you 'phone' computer to landlane the cost will probably be 1.2p per minute.

Read their web-site, it is very easy to understand.

Hi hammo,

Skype to skype calls are free to anywhere in the world, the only cost that you would incur would be investing in a headset something like this

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...duct_uid=48087

you would each need one of these so you can make calls, also skype works best with broadband, so the faster your connection the better

The Pocket PC works well over WiFi. use it on 2 PDA's and both work fine.

Also If your machine has Bluetooth and you have a BT headset for you mobile this also works well. Obviously the better the headset the better the quality. My headset was £20 and still works well.

I see skype don't have any SkypeIn numbers for Oz.
I use skype for contact with family in the US. All I did was buy a SkypeIn number located in Boston. Then my family members call that number for free as part of their phone package calling plan. I get a clear call and have never had any problems.
Number only cost me £23 for 12 months so I can't complain.

What speed is your broadband? I think you need at least 1mb for decent call quality.

Thanks for all your help and now I know the basics about SKYPE and it sounds useful to use when i get the correct handset.My connection is 1MB and is ok to use on skype

You could try Sipgate, and use the free software, the advantage this has over Skype is that you get an incoming number for free, you can also call other Sipgate users for free and several other VoIP providers too.

Could you tell me bextech, how much you have to credit into your account to make outgoing landline calls?

Because the only thing i can find is the 1000 minutes a month for £5.90, i wouldnt use the phone this much a month

Be aware that if it is able to Skype will use your bandwidth to route other people's calls.

As i understand it the big ISPs in Australia have even more restrictive bandwidth quotas than ISPs over here are starting to introduce so, for your friend, using Skype could possibly exceed the quota.

If no one you're interested in talking to already has Skype it might be better to go with a different provider. I use Gizmo which, like Skype, allows free calls PC-PC (and many other VOIP providers), a cheap local call-in number and the ability to call out to traditional land-lines.

Gizmo also uses open standards; SIP for voice, and Jabber/XMPP for Instant Messaging.

If you're just interested in talking PC-PC then one of the various IM services should suffice. I favour Google Talk as it's based on the open Jabber/XMPP standards (which is what all IM services will use in the future). If you both have Gmail addresses you already have a Google Talk account.

I think you need to add £10, but I like most people have never added credit, we just use it for incoming calls, calls to other Sipgate users (plus other VoIP) and calls to Freephone numbers.

I use VoIP Stunt for making calls to landlines. For €10 you get 120 days of credit and can call UK landlines and landlines of many other countries for free.

Just to confirm you don't always need a handset for it I have a mac and has a in built mic and works fine