View Full Version : Skype VOIP advice please.
I'm moving abroad soon (and the bike will not be going with me :(:(:() and I need to set something up so Mrs Cris can talk to the 'Monster in Law'.
We will have broadband, at a pretty average band width, but will be in a country that is not cheap to use a land line to call either way. Someone has mentioned VOIP/Skype etc. but I'm a bit of a techno 'muppet' when it gets complicated.
Please can anyone offer any simple advice on how best my Mrs can talk to her Mum regularly, as cheaply as possible? Do I need to subscribe to anything, and is there any hardware I should buy for each end?
Many thanks,
Cris.
Spank86
21-05-12, 07:02 PM
Skype's easy but the qualitys not great.
On the plus side it's free unless you pay your ISP for data. All you do is install the program on computers both ends and with a webcam and microphone you can chat and see each other.
I live in Portugal and am constantly on skype to friends/family back in the UK.
Sometimes you may find that it is intermittent with sound/video but 7/10 it is just fine :thumbsup: (and for a FREE thing, I´m not complaining about the 3/10 times it isnt 100%)
I use a couple of these
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-AiGuru-Touch-Screen-Video/dp/B002NUDLII
Works really well and doesnt require a pc.. also have one of these which works well as a normal phone as well as a skype phone
http://www.kikatek.com/product_info.php?products_id=43714&source=froogle
Probably selling the skype dect handset as I have now moved over to SIP. Altho doesnt have video but use it for work. Check out sipgate if you are not bothered with video.
timwilky
21-05-12, 07:15 PM
Look at SIP.
I use sipgate.co.uk, so does my sister who lives in Spain, she has a Preston telephone number so friends/family can call her in Madrid local rates. Because we both use sip phones. I call her for free.
Skype is excellent, the quality is totally dependent on the quality and speed of the internet connection its using. In fact, with a good enough link I would say Skype probably has about the best quality call experience you'll be able to find.
Using it is simple, both parties need a Skype account (free at www.skype.com). Voice and video calls from PC to PC or other computing devices are free anywhere in the world. Obviously you need to pay for an internet connection in the first place. You can also call normal telephones but you pay for this, its very cheap.
As for equipment, it can be done with a built-in microphone on your computer but quality is improved with better equipment. There are hundreds of mics etc available, best to get a combined webcam/microphone. They come very cheap or you can spend more for a better quality item, personally I use the Logitech Pro 9000 webcam. They are brilliant, I get a superb quality HD video call from UK to Brisbane in Aus with no problem.
muzikill
21-05-12, 07:45 PM
Skype, especially if you can get a smartphone and use it on that. That way you can walk into a place that gives free wifi and use it there. My friends use skype for calls and viber to send messages.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
SoulKiss
21-05-12, 07:54 PM
But Skype is Evil (http://ultraparanoid.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/why-skype-is-evil/)
LankyIanB
22-05-12, 07:31 AM
Skype is great, I have a subscription for unlimited landline calls to the UK, costs about £4.50 a month, this means that I can make calls to people in the UK without them having to be on-line.
The other option that can help, if you're in the right country is for the Mother-In_law to get Sky Talk Unlimited as her phone package as that includes free calls to 20 foreign countries. If where you're going is on that list, it's brilliant.
But Skype is Evil (http://ultraparanoid.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/why-skype-is-evil/)
Skype is no more evil than Toys R Us.
Teejayexc
22-05-12, 08:37 AM
But Skype is Evil (http://ultraparanoid.wordpress.com/2007/06/19/why-skype-is-evil/)
Apple now Skype ?
I think there may be a clue to your views in the http title of the link you posted. :smt073
no but microsoft now owns it which is almost as bad :)
SoulKiss
22-05-12, 08:50 AM
Apple now Skype ?
I think there may be a clue to your views in the http title of the link you posted. :smt073
Skype was developed by the same guys as Kazaa which they admitted to putting Spy-Ware in - and there was a lot of spyware in it.
Bundled malware
The early Kazaa Media Desktop had been suspected of installing malware (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware) onto users' computers. Sharman, Kazaa's home company, claimed that the products were not adware and did not collect personal user information. At one time, the part of the Kazaa code which was considered adware was an optional part of the Kazaa program. Since the allegations surfaced, the code was bundled into the main Kazaa software, and it was not possible to uninstall it. Also, spyware detection and removal software frequently failed to delete the code without special actions taken by the PC user. Spyware components detected and deleted by removal programs often rendered Kazaa unusable and required reinstallation of the program. This forced the user to allow these programs on their computer to keep KMD working.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e5/Kazaa_EULA.png/300px-Kazaa_EULA.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kazaa_EULA.png) http://bits.wikimedia.org/static-1.20wmf2/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kazaa_EULA.png)
The Kazaa EULA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EULA)
Malware installed by Kazaa included the following:[13] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazaa#cite_note-12)
Cydoor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cydoor) (spyware): Collects information on the PC's surfing habits and passes it on to Cydoor Desktop Media (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cydoor).
B3D (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=B3D&action=edit&redlink=1) (adware): An add-on which causes advertising popups if the PC accesses a website which triggers the B3D code.
Altnet (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Altnet&action=edit&redlink=1) (adware): A distribution network for paid "gold" files.
The Best Offers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Best_Offers) (adware): Tracks your browsing habits and internet usage to display advertisements similar to your interests.
InstaFinder (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=InstaFinder&action=edit&redlink=1) (hijacker): Redirects your URL typing errors to InstaFinder's web page instead of the standard search page.
TopSearch (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=TopSearch&action=edit&redlink=1) (adware): Displays paid songs and media related to your search in Kazaa.
RX Toolbar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RX_Toolbar) (spyware): The toolbar monitors all the sites you visit with Microsoft Internet Explorer and provides links to competitors' websites.
New.net (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New.net) (hijacker): A browser plugin that lets you access several of its own unofficial Top Level Domain names (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top-level_domain), e.g., .chat and .shop. The main purpose of which is to sell domain names such as www.record.shop which is actually www.record.shop.new.net.
As a result of these additional components, CNET's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNet) Download.com (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Download.com) site stopped the distribution of KMD in April 2004.
The KMD was also known not to uninstall completely, leaving behind several executables, files, and the KMD installer. It also left behind all the malware initially installed. In an effort to remove the files left behind, Merijn Bellekom (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merijn_Bellekom) (the creator of HijackThis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HijackThis)) created KazaaBeGone, attempting to remove any remnants left behind by KMD's uninstaller (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uninstaller) program.
So would you trust them and run another bit of software they developed that is actively known and designed to circumvent firewall technology?
Or a system thats encryption relies on a single Master Key which has already been given to the German government (http://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/german-police-uses-backdoor-trojan-monitor-skype-calls)?
Just because you are paranoid DOESN'T mean that they are not out to get you :p
I guess I just like to try and help people understand what they are giving away everytime the give up a little bit of freedom for the convenience of doing something in a less hassled way.
Skype was developed by the same guys as Kazaa which they admitted to putting Spy-Ware in - and there was a lot of spyware in it.
So would you trust them and run another bit of software they developed that is actively known and designed to circumvent firewall technology?
Or a system thats encryption relies on a single Master Key which has already been given to the German government (http://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/german-police-uses-backdoor-trojan-monitor-skype-calls)?
Just because you are paranoid DOESN'T mean that they are not out to get you :p
I guess I just like to try and help people understand what they are giving away everytime the give up a little bit of freedom for the convenience of doing something in a less hassled way.
The origins of the software dont really matter, its now operated by an organisation that has a reputation that relies on its ability to run secure software and cloud services. Microsoft are actually far better than public perception acknowledges in terms of their ability to generate secure code.
As for encryption, any government agency should be expected to have the ability to intercept communications. In many countries it is actually a legal requirement.
We are talking about a conversation between two family members, not a discussion about nuclear technology advances. Skype is fine.
SoulKiss
22-05-12, 10:11 AM
The origins of the software dont really matter, its now operated by an organisation that has a reputation that relies on its ability to run secure software and cloud services. Microsoft are actually far better than public perception acknowledges in terms of their ability to generate secure code.
As for encryption, any government agency should be expected to have the ability to intercept communications. In many countries it is actually a legal requirement.
We are talking about a conversation between two family members, not a discussion about nuclear technology advances. Skype is fine.
So you would let Ian Huntly babysit your kids...?
How about the terms "Slippery Slope" and "Thin Edge of the Wedge".
American Law (The PATRIOT Act) states that any US Company must hand over any data they hold on request of the US Government, thats why some consider that just submitting the last Census forms was tantamount to Treason, as you were giving Confidential Information to a Foreign Regime, all records of your calls/chats are available to others.
Using the "I have nothing to hide" argument just doesn't wash, it is NO valid reason for giving up your Privacy.
First they came for the communists (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communist),
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_unionist),
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jews),
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.
Its these freedoms that we need to quard and protect.
http://www.vonage.co.uk/
i use this and have never ever had problems. their call centres are in the states and are the most polite i have ever encountered.
So you would let Ian Huntly babysit your kids...?
How about the terms "Slippery Slope" and "Thin Edge of the Wedge".
American Law (The PATRIOT Act) states that any US Company must hand over any data they hold on request of the US Government, thats why some consider that just submitting the last Census forms was tantamount to Treason, as you were giving Confidential Information to a Foreign Regime, all records of your calls/chats are available to others.
Using the "I have nothing to hide" argument just doesn't wash, it is NO valid reason for giving up your Privacy.
Its these freedoms that we need to quard and protect.
[/INDENT]
What does Ian Huntley have to do with this?
Government surveillance is a reality, I don't imply that I agree with it, more that it's there. Skype is no different from any other form of communication in that regard, including your landline and mobile phones which are actually easier to monitor.
This isn't a "I have nothing to hide" position, I am simply putting into perspective the type of conversation that was proposed by the OP in the sense that most people (and of course I'm generalising here) couldnt give a monkeys between the relative security differences of the various communications methods they have at there disposal. Skype is being put up here on a pedastal as something to fear, you have no more reason to fear this than your mobile phone.
Skype is fine for this use case, as are many other forms of VoIP.
Cheers all for the advice.
So if I register with Sipgate and get a Voip phone, the mother in law can call us for free from a UK landline (if she has free UK calls)(to Saudi Arabia)?
SoulKiss
22-05-12, 08:14 PM
What does Ian Huntley have to do with this?
Government surveillance is a reality, I don't imply that I agree with it, more that it's there. Skype is no different from any other form of communication in that regard, including your landline and mobile phones which are actually easier to monitor.
This isn't a "I have nothing to hide" position, I am simply putting into perspective the type of conversation that was proposed by the OP in the sense that most people (and of course I'm generalising here) couldnt give a monkeys between the relative security differences of the various communications methods they have at there disposal. Skype is being put up here on a pedastal as something to fear, you have no more reason to fear this than your mobile phone.
Skype is fine for this use case, as are many other forms of VoIP.
A service that uses SIP, a free, open, documented standard to establish a point to point connection is fine.
Skype is just a second-rate IM system with good marketing
A service that uses SIP, a free, open, documented standard to establish a point to point connection is fine.
Skype is just a second-rate IM system with good marketing
You are of course welcome to your opinion, but I disagree. www.notsoparanoid.com.
timwilky
23-05-12, 04:10 AM
Cheers all for the advice.
So if I register with Sipgate and get a Voip phone, the mother in law can call us for free from a UK landline (if she has free UK calls)(to Saudi Arabia)?
Ahh good a bit more information:- Saudi
Your first issue is that CITC have been known to block voip. Rumour was that they used packet inspection to determine if you are using voip so not just a simple matter of changing a port number to get round a simple service block.
Whatever VOIP system you decide to try, you need to ensure you have a pucker public address and not sharing. So buy from a telecom company. Not your building provider. If VOIP is blocked you may end up going down a VPN route to tunnel the voip traffic.
As I said both I and my sister in Madrid use Sipgate, we both have Preston numbers. Her phone supports multiple providers and if she wanted she could have a second Spanish provider as well.
Sipgate to Sipgate is free. In the UK it will be seen as just another number. So national or local rates would apply if calling from a conventional land line.
SIP, is a directory service. that maps numbers to ip/ports. Therefore with the majority of sip phones or ATAs etc you can if you have the correct info totally ignore the service provider and dial phone to phone by ip/port.
Obviously when setting yourself up you need to ensure you routers etc have the correct port forwarding for sip, rtp, stun services.
I've been trying to load Skype. It says it has downloaded (this took about an hour) but for some reason it won't install. Any ideas, it has started to annoy me. Would the fact that my PC won't install the Win 7 SP1 have anything to do with it?
Have you got a firewall? sometimes firewall or things of that ilk will stop a full installation.
vBulletin® , Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.