Skype

For those of you who are unfamiliar with VOIPing, here is the lowdown: Skype is KING! VOIP stands for "Voice Over Internet Protocol" or "Voice Over IP" for short(er). This is not a new technology but has started to gain some momentum in mainstream markets. Basically, the long and the short of it is this: Skype (and other services) allow users to talk to anyone in the world (as long as they are using the Skype service) for free. It uses a microphone and the speakers on your computer to send your voice via the Internet to a connected computer on the other end. You can buy all these cool accessories such as wireless phones, USB keys and such that all work with the service. And (and a BIG AND), for a nominal fee, you can establish your own number (with voicemail) that allows others (who can be anywhere in the world) to call you from not just their computer, but their phones as well. You can establish a number just about anywhere. For instance, DB is a friend of mine in Japan. He established a number with a 416 area code so that I (and his other friends) can call him and only be charged local calling charges. The phone then rings in Japan and you would never know he was there and you were not. It's really darn cool!

I just signed up (I know, I know it has been a long time coming DB & CH) and it looks like it is going to be a real winner for me.

More to come once I have my phone charged and all the services established.

Go to SKYPE for more information!

t.