Talking to friends

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Bill Ridgeway - 13 Oct 2007 17:10 GMT

I hear it's possible to talk to friends over the Internet without call
charges. Could someone please tell me what software is required for this?

Thanks.

Bill

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Bruce Chambers - 13 Oct 2007 17:38 GMT

> I hear it's possible to talk to friends over the Internet without call
> charges. Could someone please tell me what software is required for this?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Bill

Google is your friend. Just a few of the many entries:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_over_IP

http://communication.howstuffworks.com/ip-telephony.htm

http://www.skype.com/

http://www.vonage.com/index.php?ic=1

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Bruce Chambers

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Bill Ridgeway - 13 Oct 2007 23:38 GMT

>> I hear it's possible to talk to friends over the Internet without call
>> charges. Could someone please tell me what software is required for
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> http://www.vonage.com/index.php?ic=1

Thanks Bruce.

Perhaps I should refine my question. What is the best (free) software for
talking to friends over the Internet computer to computer (using a headset)?
I have seen Skype but I presume there are others?

Thanks.

Bill

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peter - 14 Oct 2007 16:26 GMT

I dont know about the best.......but I use MSN Messenger and so do my
friends and relatives.
Which does not require you to add special VOIP software .If you are trying
to "phone" persons without messenger like program or no computer than you
will need VOIP...........for the PC to phone capabilities
http://www.voipnow.org/2006/08/how_to_make_fre.html

google does bring up quite a few hits under free VOIP
peter

>>> I hear it's possible to talk to friends over the Internet without call
>>> charges. Could someone please tell me what software is required for
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
> Bill

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Bill Ridgeway - 14 Oct 2007 18:14 GMT

Thanks Peter.

Isn't Windows Live Messenger an updated MSN Messenger and, if so would that
do the same thing? I'm looking forward to just plug in the headset and go.
OK so the software will have to be configured but I'm sure I can get around
that!

Is Skype for VOIP only? If so I can discount it for my purposes.

Thanks

Bill Ridgeway

>I dont know about the best.......but I use MSN Messenger and so do my
>friends and relatives.
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
>>
>> Bill

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Jupiter Jones [MVP] - 15 Oct 2007 04:54 GMT

Windows Live Messenger and MSN Messenger are similar.
Occasionally I will talk to family with camera and microphone and it
usually works very well.
My particular camera, and many others, have a microphone built in.
You can also use a headset.

Using MSN is quick and easy to setup and use.

Signature

Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org

> Thanks Peter.
>
[quoted text clipped - 48 lines]
>>>
>>> Bill

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Bill Ridgeway - 15 Oct 2007 11:51 GMT

Thanks. So that resolves the question of what software to use. I have
downloaded and installed Windows Messenger Live. However, having registered
it using one of my email addresses I had second thoughts and now want to
register using another email address. Try as I might( uninstalling,
reinstalling and removing folders with the incorrect email address) I cannot
persuade it to start again so I can register with the correct email
addressing. Any help please.

Thanks.

Bill Ridgeway

> Windows Live Messenger and MSN Messenger are similar.
> Occasionally I will talk to family with camera and microphone and it
[quoted text clipped - 54 lines]
>>>>
>>>> Bill

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Richard Brooks - 15 Oct 2007 14:09 GMT

Bill Ridgeway said the following on 15/10/2007 11:51:

> Thanks. So that resolves the question of what software to use. I have
> downloaded and installed Windows Messenger Live. However, having registered
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Bill Ridgeway

I might assume that your registration details are stored at the server
end which will be automatically tied to you so you might have to go into
a panel somewhere at the Website. Try contacting them.

Richard.

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Jupiter Jones [MVP] - 15 Oct 2007 17:53 GMT

Bill;
There is no reason to uninstall it.
You can use it with various addresses, one at a time.

If it logs on automatically, click the "Show menu" box at the top.
Then click "File" and "Sign out".
Uncheck the box "Remember my password".
With the top box checked, addresses will be remembered but you can
easily log in with a different address.

Signature

Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org

> Thanks. So that resolves the question of what software to use. I
> have downloaded and installed Windows Messenger Live. However,
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Bill Ridgeway

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Richard Brooks - 14 Oct 2007 22:21 GMT

Bill Ridgeway said the following on 13/10/2007 23:38:

> Perhaps I should refine my question. What is the best (free) software for
> talking to friends over the Internet computer to computer (using a headset)?
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Bill

They seem to do much the same thing and I suppose that the users really
just get used to what they first download, then form into communities.

Just type in "IM Instant messenger" in your search engine.

Here is MSN Messenger.
<http://get.live.com/en-gb/messenger/features>

Yahoo! Messenger.
<http://messenger.yahoo.com/webmessengerpromo.php>

Skype.
<http://www.skype.com/intl/en-gb/>

I prefer Skype as it does not have pop-up advertising and is just a
'belt and braces' piece of IM software although it does have many of the
features you need to just get on with the job.

Richard.

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igotskillz - 29 Oct 2007 07:12 GMT

> > I hear it's possible to talk to friends over the Internet without call
> > charges. Could someone please tell me what software is required for this?
>
> > Thanks.
>
> > Bill

Skype is one of the worst services i have found, anywhere
I had extremely poor call quality one day so i wrote them a letter
asking for a refund.

They blocked my account without giving me a reason then sent me an
email suggesting i download the new version.

I did that, account is still blocked.

After about 5 emails to them i told them their service sucked stc.

Skype is NOT a good idea.

They treat customers poorly and quite frankly the call quality is
horrible 1/2 of the time.

> Google is your friend. Just a few of the many entries:
>
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> killed a great many philosophers.
> ~ Denis Diderot

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Tom [Pepper] Willett - 29 Oct 2007 14:43 GMT

I've had nothing but excellent call quality, dependability and service from
Skype in the two years I've used it.

Tom

: > > I hear it's possible to talk to friends over the Internet without call
: > > charges. Could someone please tell me what software is required for this?
[quoted text clipped - 42 lines]
: > killed a great many philosophers.
: > ~ Denis Diderot

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