The Pacer

Issue date: 1/16/07 Section: Technology

Just before we left for break some of my co-workers at the Instructional Technology Center and I began using Skype to instant message each other and try out its video and voice capabilities. What began as a fun way to communicate with people literally a few feet away became more practical the more we used it.

Skype, like other messaging services, provides a simple software package (available for free download at Skype.com) that allows multiple users to communicate by typing or using Web cams. In this way, Skype is an ordinary messenger service. However, Skype is becoming very good at beating telecommunication companies in both price and services.

The current deal on Skype.com allows a user to call any land or cellular telephone from their computer to anyone in the United States or Canada for only $14.95 a year. This can potentially save a lot of money on long distance phone calls for just about everyone. International calls are also available for a low rate of 2.1 cents a minute.

Skype also allows users to have a SkypeIn phone number where friends can call directly from a land-based or cell phone and answer on the user's computer. This service is a more costly, running around $40 for one year. SkypeIn comes with a free voicemail service and is available for a small price to users without SkypeIn.

So what about people who are not constantly attached to a computer? Skype allows third party companies such as NETGEAR and Belkin to produce cordless phones and cell phones that can use Skype from any standard WiFi hotspot.

Skype can be very useful for students who travel, who don't have a cell phone or who run up expensive long distance phone bills. Thanks to my coworkers and a little curiosity in figuring out how Skype works - and because my "slick" Motorola V3M does not work in Europe - I plan on "Skyping" friends and family while in Germany this summer.

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