What is Skype anyway?

Skype is a peer to peer program made by the same folks who brought the KaZaA to the world. It is for making “phone” calls for free to other Skype users over the internet. It works on Macintosh, Windows, Linux and Pocket PCs.

Why the name Skype ??

It is short for Sky + Peer to Peer and was shortened to “skyper” and then down to “skype.”

What does it look like?

It is lot like other Instant Messaging (IM) with contacts, file transfer and dialing options. Unlike IM clients, Skype is mostly about voice. It also allows for calls to/from regular phones using some of the Skype options listed below.

Options

• Skype users can easily call other Skype users. (this is called Skype to Skype)
  Cost = free
• Skype users can pay by the minute to call from their Skype computer to both landline phones and cell phones.
  This is called SkypeOut (calls to phones)
  COST = Global Rate € 0.017 per minute. (~$.023 minute) Individual rates also available
• Skype users can take calls from landline and cell phones into their Skype account, including voicemail.
  This is called SkypeIn (calls from phones to your SkypeIn number) SkypeIn is subscription based with the costs (as of November 2005) at:
  • 12 month subscription is 30 euros (~$35.40)
  • 3 months is  10 euros (~$11.80)
• On a PC using Skype, you can also forward Skype calls to a “real” phone

Uses for Skype

Besides phone calls, there have been some interesting uses of Skype emerging. Some of these include:

• Recording music : http://music.download.com/elainesteinbach/3600-9007_32-100622988.html

• Recording interviews for podcasts: Not easy yet but it can be done. Software will probably arrive soon to make it easier. The Gizmo project provides an easy way to record calls so that is a plus for podcasters!

Speaking of starting to arrive, new Skype-friendly products are on the market

There are USB based phone/handsets and speakerphones along with the usual headsets available. You can also buy ringtones and pictures for your Contacts.

http://personal.skype.com

http://www.skype.com/store/accessories

So, is it worth the hype?

If you have lots of computer using friends with broadband connections around the world, then possibly. Someone must see something in it because in September 2005, Ebay bought Skype for approximately $2.6 billion !

There are Other Options

Using a standard for Voice over IP (VoIP) called “Session Initiation Protocol”, you can find alternative software and hardware to call other computers as well as standard and mobile phones. Being open source rather than Skype’s proprietary format could be a good thing for expansion in the future.

The “softphone” is from the Gizmo Project ( http://gizmoproject.com ). It works a lot like Skype but provides easier recording but more expensive rates to call regular phone numbers in countries other than the United States.

SIP also can be used with your broadband connection so you can use your regular phone to call SIP numbers for free or other phones via the SIP rates. You will have to get a SIP phone adapter. Here are some examples:http://store.sipphonestore.com/

A new player is Voicestick , which is a USB drive that makes any computer a phone. You choose a monthly plan and get calling. There is also a software phone as well. http://www.voicestick.com/

Google Talk is also getting a lot of attention – that’s for another day!