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Skype using Virgin Media |
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#1 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 924
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Skype using Virgin Media
Hi - I'm very ignorant of this, so please bear with me. I have some basic questions. My daughter has just started a year in Spain, and wants to use Skype (which many of her uni friends have) to communicate with them (and me).
1. Is getting Skype onto my PC just a question of downloading it from the Skype site? 2. Should I buy a handset or headset? What's a cheap, but reasonable quality model? 3. Should I buy a handset/headset with a USB connection or one of those with two mini jack type of plugs? 4. Where do I plug the handset/headset? If I buy a set with a USB connection, does it go into the spare USB socket in the back of my Virgin Media Motorola modem? Or into a spare USB socket in my PC drive unit? (And I guess that if the set has mini jacks, then it must go into the drive unit panel?) Cheers. |
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#2 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 488
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I use Skype with VM. To answer you questions, yes it is as simple as both of you downloading it. You will be up and running very quickly. I do not use a headset / or a handset (I use a webcam) so cannot comment on these.
However, just using a voice webcam gives excellent results and with the added advantage that you can see the person on the other end of the line. One warning, though, make sure that you set your profile up so that you do not recieve requests from anyone. If you don't you will have every Tom, Dick and Harry requesting that you Skype them Hope this helps ps The Webcam / Handset / Headset will plug into your USB port on your PC Last edited by Thierry_Henry : 02-09-2007 at 12:05. Reason: Missing info |
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#3 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 924
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Cheers
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#4 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,452
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Get a proper VOIP service, Skype has numerous flaws, one of them which caused several days outage recently!
Go to somewhere like Sipgate.co.uk or VOIP.co.uk and get set up on there. You can still download preconfigured software, but there's an added bonus to this - because it's a proper service (Skype isn't proper VOIP as it uses legacy technology), you can buy hardware later on which will allow you to use it without leaving your PC on. The Skype handsets you can buy will only work on Skype, and I've only ever seen ones you have to leave the computer on to use. Should you then decide to use it as a fully fledged phone, on most services you can get an incoming number (such as with Sipgate) for free, Skype charge you. |
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#5 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Solihull, West Mids
Posts: 1,609
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These phones will connect to a Wireless LAN connection and do not require a PC. You charge them like a mobile.
Belkin: http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatSecti...tion_Id=205784 Netgear SPH101 http://www.netgear.com/Products/Comm...oIP/Skype.aspx SMC: http://www.smc.com/index.cfm?event=v...id=78&pid=1560 PC World were selling the Netgear one recently for £55 These are first generation products, so the battery life isn't brilliant Skype is pretty good, you have to make sure you don't leave it connected on a PC for long periods of time, or Skype may use your PC as a supernode (where skype makes use of your bandwidth to connect users who can't make a direct connection): "A Supernode is a computer running Skype Software that has been automatically elevated to act as a hub. Supernodes may assist in helping other users to communicate or use the Skype Software efficiently. This may include the ability for your computer to help anonymously and securely facilitate communications between other users of the Skype software who, due to network and firewall constraints, cannot establish direct connections." http://safecomputing.umn.edu/safepractices/skype.html |
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#6 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 924
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Thanks Tadpole. A lot to thnk about there.
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