BajaNomad

Skype?

Ken Cooke - 1-17-2008 at 11:25 AM

Do any Nomads here use Skype for making phone calls? I am buying a cordless phone that will interface with my Personal VoIP Gateway "Teller Box" into my computers sound card. I'm looking for a way to make inexpensive phone calls to Mexico and Colombia.

I will let you know if my Teller Box works...

http://www.tommade.com



[Edited on 1-17-2008 by Ken Cooke]

Natalie Ann - 1-17-2008 at 11:36 AM

Ken, I regularly use Skype to phone Mexico and other locations around the world. I am very pleased with it.... quality is better than my cell phone.

If I call computer to computer (or wireless phone to computer) the cost is free. When I call a land line in Mexico (or the US from Mexico) the cost is 2.1 cents per minute. Skype has an inexpensive wireless phone available.... create a numeric phone number for it (any area code you choose) and you can place and receive calls free or at Skype's low prices. By using the area code of your friend in Colombia, she would be able to phone you for free (not sure how that would affect your outgong calls).

Do I sound like a Skype ad? Perhaps. But I am really pleased with their services - they've saved me some good money.

Nena

vandenberg - 1-17-2008 at 11:50 AM

I'm with Natalie.
Have been using Skype here in Loreto for years and call all over the world. Free to other PC's and minimal charges to landlines. Never figured why everyone doesn't sign up.
With DSL of course.

Acuity - 1-17-2008 at 01:00 PM

I am a great fan - it lets me keep in touch with my family in the UK and Canada. PC to PC (or Mac:biggrin:) quality is usually better then a phone call.

You just have to tell your phone friends that when they get a call from area code 0123 456...or something similar, it is for real.

wornout - 1-17-2008 at 01:19 PM

Bajalou and I have used it here in San Felipe every since our pal Hose A. told us about it years ago. We have a lot of friends here using it too. We keep in touch during the summer when we are out of here traveling.

It works anywhere you have a connection faster than 36k which covers dial-up too. Computer to Computer is free, Computer to land line cost different amounts, all pretty low, depending on the country you are calling. I pay to have a dial-in number in the 760 area code. It works on satellite connections but there is a delay. Personally I don't understand why anybody pays a monthly service charge for any of those other VOIP services.

Cypress - 1-17-2008 at 04:06 PM

Skype! :) Why go any other way?:) Is there something better?:biggrin:

fdt - 1-17-2008 at 04:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by wornout
Bajalou and I have used it here in San Felipe every since our pal Hose A. told us about it years ago.


My first ever call was to Gene, HoseA. To this day we have Skype with skype in and skype out phone. Get it Ken

Ken Cooke - 1-17-2008 at 04:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fdt
Quote:
Originally posted by wornout
Bajalou and I have used it here in San Felipe every since our pal Hose A. told us about it years ago.


My first ever call was to Gene, HoseA. To this day we have Skype with skype in and skype out phone. Get it Ken


My handicap has not ever using it before. I will try to set it up this weekend once I buy my cordless phone. This morning, I set up my account. I'll let you know if I can get it to work or not.

stanburn - 1-17-2008 at 05:59 PM

I use it with the Netgear cordless Skype phone. It works great. Both the Skype In number and our local Telmex number ring on it.

CaboRon - 1-17-2008 at 08:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by fdt
Quote:
Originally posted by wornout
Bajalou and I have used it here in San Felipe every since our pal Hose A. told us about it years ago.


My first ever call was to Gene, HoseA. To this day we have Skype with skype in and skype out phone. Get it Ken


My handicap has not ever using it before. I will try to set it up this weekend once I buy my cordless phone. This morning, I set up my account. I'll let you know if I can get it to work or not.


Ken,
You don't need a special phone, just a headset to plug into your computer.

CaboRon

Ken,Skype works fine!

juangrandebigjohn - 1-17-2008 at 08:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Do any Nomads here use Skype for making phone calls? I am buying a cordless phone that will interface with my Personal VoIP Gateway "Teller Box" into my computers sound card. I'm looking for a way to make inexpensive phone calls to Mexico and Colombia. Ken,Just got Skype today and made first three phone callsto States,Skype site a little tough to navigate initially,got a cheap headset for 20pesos in Mandadero segundo that is adequate.And yeah,still want to go to Colombia.Bigjohn

I will let you know if my Teller Box works...

http://www.tommade.com



[Edited on 1-17-2008 by Ken Cooke]

rpleger - 1-18-2008 at 12:09 AM

SKYPE works for me in Mulegé.

The Best

Skype Calls to Mexico

bill erhardt - 1-18-2008 at 08:20 AM

The Skype rate for landline calls to the States and many other countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia is 2.1 US cents per minute, but landline calls to Mexico are 10 cents per minute.

CaboRon - 1-18-2008 at 08:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bill erhardt
The Skype rate for landline calls to the States and many other countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia is 2.1 US cents per minute, but landline calls to Mexico are 10 cents per minute.


Do you mean FROM the states to Mexico ? Is more expensive that from Mexico to the states?

CaboRon

bajalou - 1-18-2008 at 08:33 AM

Where you call from is not important - just the country you are calling. The rates vary quite a bit by country.

Go to http://www.skype.com/prices/callrates/ and check out the rates for yourself.

bill erhardt - 1-18-2008 at 08:52 AM

Ron..... Lou is right. It is the country that you call that determines the cost of a Skype call. And, within a country calls to cellphones may be more expensive depending on the arrangement Skype strikes with the providers there. When my son was in France calls to him on his cellphone there were around 40 cents per minute although landline calls were at the 2+cent rate. Skype to Skype calls are free regardless of where the parties are.

[Edited on 1-18-2008 by bill erhardt]

Al G - 1-18-2008 at 09:34 AM

I may have made a mistake...I know, I know, what's New...:lol:
I went with Magic Jack...because of a regular wireless hand set and only $28 a year, to call the states. I will get a cell in Todos Santos for local calls. Cost? Since I will be there full time, calling Mexico was not important...until I realized, I may want to call Mulege...Asuncion etc... With this many Nomads using Skype...that means most people in Baja are most likely using Skype...Hmmmm. I am so use to calling anywhere in US with My cell, I was not thinking about Baja. Does any one know the cell costs to call...say Mulege from T.S.???
What is Skype's annual cost?

bill erhardt - 1-18-2008 at 09:45 AM

Al.... No annual cost. You just pay by the minute, and calls to others with Skype are free.

Bajajorge - 1-18-2008 at 09:57 AM

There are Skype phones that work where ever there is WiFi no computer needed. Call anywhere in the world for 1-2 cents a minute. I've got one by Linksys and it works just fine. It's about the size of a cell phone.

vandenberg - 1-18-2008 at 10:05 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajajorge
There are Skype phones that work where ever there is WiFi no computer needed. Call anywhere in the world for 1-2 cents a minute. I've got one by Linksys and it works just fine. It's about the size of a cell phone.


Been using Skype for years, but this is a new one on me.
Where did you get that unit ? Never seen one.
Best Buy, Circuit City or Linksys direct ?

Bajabus - 1-18-2008 at 11:09 AM

WiFi phones are a hot item and becoming increasingly popular especially in urban areas where entire cities have set up free WiFi networks. My samsung i760 pda is a cell phone but it can also access WiFi networks.

Now Verizon expressly forbids VOIP over their network so you can't really use Skypes mobil software directly on your phone ( people do anyway but you better have an unlimited bandwidth plan).

That problem however HAS been solved! http://www.voxlib.com/ Just call Voxlib running on your unattended home computer with Skype.
Call Voxlib from your cellphone and it sees your caller ID. Then, make Skype calls to the rest of the planet....works pretty well

or just get a skype wireless phone and carry two

[Edited on 18-1-2008 by Bajabus]

Roberto - 1-18-2008 at 11:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajabus
That problem however HAS been solved! http://www.voxlib.com/ Just call Voxlib running on your unattended home computer with Skype.
Call Voxlib from your cellphone and it sees your caller ID. Then, make Skype calls to the rest of the planet....works pretty well


Great find!

bajalou - 1-18-2008 at 11:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajajorge
Call anywhere in the world for 1-2 cents a minute.


The 1-2 cents a minute is not correct - look at the link I posted above and see what the rate is.

Calling Todo Santos from Todo Santos uses the Mex. rate for landline ($.099) or cell ($.336), which ever you are calling.

Bajabus - 1-18-2008 at 12:16 PM

More info, apparently now you don't even have to have their software running on your PC and have your PC on to do this. You just register for free, enter your skype account info and then call in to any of their free access numbers.

http://gigaom.com/2007/03/19/mobivox-more-skype-on-mobile/

there is also software from others that you can download onto a wifi enabled PDA/cell phone that will let you directly use skype from your phone. I hear that they are limited in the number of phones they support but that it is increasing all the time.

it really just keeps getting better.

[Edited on 18-1-2008 by Bajabus]

stanburn - 1-18-2008 at 01:33 PM

Big Al,

Bill is right, no cost to open an account. I however have a Skype In number with a Florida area code. That number costs me $60 per year. It allows anyone to call me in Mexico by making a call to the Florida number.

Ken Cooke - 1-20-2008 at 10:47 AM

So, I installed the equipment to my computer, and I tried several times to make a call. No luck.

I inputted the phone number, but nothing seems to work. I will explore the help folder and see what I am doing wrong. I want to use Skype today, because it is Onelis' birthday, and I want to be able to talk to her.

CaboRon - 1-20-2008 at 10:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
So, I installed the equipment to my computer, and I tried several times to make a call. No luck.

I inputted the phone number, but nothing seems to work. I will explore the help folder and see what I am doing wrong. I want to use Skype today, because it is Onelis' birthday, and I want to be able to talk to her.

Ken,

Before using your equipment.... just plug your headset into your computer and try making a call directly thru Skype ... that way you will know if it is Skype or the interface that is the problem.

CaoRon

Ken Cooke - 1-20-2008 at 12:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CaboRon
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
So, I installed the equipment to my computer, and I tried several times to make a call. No luck.

I inputted the phone number, but nothing seems to work. I will explore the help folder and see what I am doing wrong. I want to use Skype today, because it is Onelis' birthday, and I want to be able to talk to her.

Ken,

Before using your equipment.... just plug your headset into your computer and try making a call directly thru Skype ... that way you will know if it is Skype or the interface that is the problem.

CaoRon


I think it is the interface that lets me use my cordless phone. I will go to BestBuy! today and buy the normal Skype headset (or a cordless one), and keep it simple. If it doesn't work, then, back to the old drawing board... :?:

Yes,Ken,Skype hard to navigate!

juangrandebigjohn - 1-20-2008 at 02:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
So, I installed the equipment to my computer, and I tried several times to make a call. No luck.

I inputted the phone number, but nothing seems to work. I will explore the help folder and see what I am doing wrong. I want to use Skype today, because it is Onelis' birthday, ankend I want to be able to talk to her.
Ken,go to Skype.com and then forums,these folks will help,the Skype people themselves never heard from,good look of course you want to call your fiance en su cumpleanos.Bigjohn

Ken Cooke - 1-20-2008 at 03:15 PM

My problem is getting the phone to actually dial the number. This is strange. All I get is a busy signal after the number is dialed. That is without the phone line being occupied at the other end.

I will hook up my headphones to the soundcard output and see if I can make phone calls without using the Teller Box appartus.

wornout - 1-20-2008 at 04:07 PM

Ken is up and running SKYPE. He still needs the headset and Microphone but I was able to carry on a chat with him and even sent him a file.

So, welcome Ken to the world of SKYPE.

Ken Cooke - 1-20-2008 at 04:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by wornout
Ken is up and running SKYPE. He still needs the headset and Microphone but I was able to carry on a chat with him and even sent him a file.

So, welcome Ken to the world of SKYPE.


Thanks for the assistance. I'm still a little ways from communicating on Skype, but at least I downloaded the program and it seems to be running...

CaboRon - 1-20-2008 at 04:24 PM

Congratulations :tumble::tumble::wow:

CaboRon

Bajaboy - 1-20-2008 at 04:48 PM

So let me get this right...if I can get a wifi signal from my laptop, I can make and receive calls in Mexico? I understand that I have to pay to get a phone number if the caller is not a Skype user.

My neighbor in Asuncion has WiFi and I figure I could jump aboard to make and receive calls. Comments?

Zac

CaboRon - 1-20-2008 at 05:10 PM

You don't need the phone number yourself.... you will have a Skype ID # ... you do need to have to have the phone number of the person you are calling.

Just download the Skype program to your laptop, get a headset to plug in to it, make a ten dollar deposit into your Skype account and you are ready to go.

CaboRon

Ken Cooke - 1-20-2008 at 08:47 PM

I went to the store tonight to purchase a headset that was specifically for Skype, and guess what???

I got to call Barranquilla for 5cents per minute! SKYPE WORKS!!!

Thanks for the help, everyone. My wallet seriously appreciates it.

juangrandebigjohn - 1-20-2008 at 09:25 PM

Hooray Ken,and than 5 cents per minute to your beloved in Colombia a real bargain!

Ken Cooke - 1-21-2008 at 01:14 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by juangrandebigjohn
Hooray Ken,and than 5 cents per minute to your beloved in Colombia a real bargain!
We talked 2 hours tonight for about $6 U.S.!! Bringing us closer together...

vandenberg - 1-21-2008 at 09:37 AM

Congrats Ken for being able to talk to your daughter.

Still don't understand why the special Skype headset ?
On my laptop, 4 years old, I use the build in speakers and an old mike that came with one of those "learn Spanish CD's".
Works like a charm.

CaboRon - 1-21-2008 at 09:54 AM

Vandenberg,

I'm sure that works fine for you. The headset is not a special Skype unit... mearly a head set with earphones and a boom mic .... usually with two plugs .... one for your spkr output and one for you mic input..... the newer ones use a USB port..... It gives you some privacy in your conversion and cuts down on possible feedback from having an open mic with speakers.

CaboRon

bajalou - 1-21-2008 at 11:03 AM

Now if you'll have HER install Skype on her computer and get a head set, you'll talk FREE, computer to computer.

vandenberg - 1-21-2008 at 11:17 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
Now if you'll have HER install Skype on her computer and get a head set, you'll talk FREE, computer to computer.


You mean you don't have to see that eyerolling.:?::rolleyes::rolleyes::biggrin:

CaboRon - 1-21-2008 at 11:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
Now if you'll have HER install Skype on her computer and get a head set, you'll talk FREE, computer to computer.

Bajalou,

There you go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's the best way to go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CaboRon

Ken Cooke - 1-21-2008 at 11:31 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg
Congrats Ken for being able to talk to your daughter.


Girlfriend, not daughter...:tumble:

vandenberg - 1-21-2008 at 11:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg
Congrats Ken for being able to talk to your daughter.


Girlfriend, not daughter...:tumble:


Forgot the big grin.:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

CaboRon - 1-21-2008 at 11:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg
Congrats Ken for being able to talk to your daughter.


Girlfriend, not daughter...:tumble:


Ken,

You're a lucky man !!!!

CaboRon

Ken Cooke - 1-21-2008 at 12:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by CaboRon
Quote:
Originally posted by Ken Cooke
Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg
Congrats Ken for being able to talk to your daughter.


Girlfriend, not daughter...:tumble:


Ken,

You're a lucky man !!!!

CaboRon


You certainly won't hear any complaints coming from me for years to come...

CaboRon - 1-21-2008 at 12:39 PM

The very best to both of you in your shared life to come.

CaboRon

Barry A. - 1-21-2008 at 12:50 PM

Ken----You need to inject Onelis' with a few "jeep" hormones when she least expects it, and aim her in the direction of Baja--------WE certainly hope to see and hear about you two chugging along in Baja down the line.

Best to you two.

barry

Ken Cooke - 1-21-2008 at 03:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.
Ken----You need to inject Onelis' with a few "jeep" hormones when she least expects it, and aim her in the direction of Baja--------WE certainly hope to see and hear about you two chugging along in Baja down the line.

Best to you two.

barry

Thanks for the nice words and thoughts. As far as Baja goes, trust me. I've been working on 'em. Onelis even got a special-edition Baja Grande t-shirt (in Barranquilla Blue).


Her father Julio and the rest of the familia got 'Grande gear for Christmas this year.


Onelis' little 5 yr. old son (Johan Sebastian) couldn't fit into a Baja Grande t-shirt, so he got something equally cool! :bounce:
His very own 40th Anniversary SCORE/Mama Esponoza's T-shirt. This is has favorite shirt...

skype versus vonage

sylens - 1-22-2008 at 02:12 PM

would anybody care to provide a comparison of these two voips for us technologically challenged nomads?:?:

DENNIS - 1-22-2008 at 05:15 PM

Gee...I hope this doesn't sound racist but, Black people seem to have nice, beautiful teeth.

Forget to mention the "white" part. Maybe that's where it becomes racist.
Jeezo....I don't know anymore.

[Edited on 1-23-2008 by DENNIS]

sylens - 1-22-2008 at 05:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Gee...I hope this doesn't sound racist but, Black people seem to have nice, beautiful teeth.

Forget to mention the "white" part. Maybe that's where it becomes racist.
Jeezo....I don't know anymore.

[Edited on 1-23-2008 by DENNIS]


:?::?::?::?::?::?::?::?::?::?::?::?::?::?::?::?::?::?::?::?::?::?:

Ken Cooke - 1-22-2008 at 07:04 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Gee...I hope this doesn't sound racist but, Black people seem to have nice, beautiful teeth.
[Edited on 1-23-2008 by DENNIS]


I'll take that as a compliment.



Thank you! :spingrin:

Bernardo - 1-22-2008 at 11:09 PM

Skype is muy bueno. Have used it for years. Last week a Chinese friend in Wenzou, People's Republic of China, called me computer to computer. I live in La Paz. We talked for over an hour - I have a MAC with built in camera and his was a PC with camera attachment. We both had perfect video and audio and the entire call was free. The only problem I had was that when my wife heard our friend's voice, she came running up to the computer not knowing the video was on - she had just come out of the shower - scared the hell out of my friend from China.

The skype still works.

Ken Cooke - 1-22-2008 at 11:11 PM

What I like is how I can have a conversation and hear exactly what is going on in the background. The aural acquity is so much better than with a regular telephone. I do get dropped calls on occasion, but for the price, I don't mind too much.

Bernardo - 1-22-2008 at 11:13 PM

P.S. - with a MAC you do not need earphones or a mike - all that is built in along with the camera. Thanks Steve Jobs.

Hasta Luego

Sallysouth - 1-22-2008 at 11:33 PM

I agree with you on that Ken.It is kinda neat being able to feel like you are right there, in the middle of it all. I have a mic, used to communicate with Mija (BCS)by Skype, but the echo and delay was so bad a lot of the time we just stopped using it. She has a # that I can call her for free,and is a 949, number, something she got from Verizon, I beleive, limited offer, and she can call me free also.oops, don't tell anyone(ha ha)! (Communication was computer to computer)

[Edited on 1-23-2008 by Sallysouth]

Cypress - 1-23-2008 at 07:16 AM

Skype is great, sometimes the signal is poor, most of the time it works fine. Anybody checked out "Package 8"?:):)

Anybody try the magicjack yet? www.magicjack.com

Keri - 1-23-2008 at 08:14 AM

I love mine.It's really great for people in mexico calling out. Haven't tried it in the states yet. My family loves it because they can now call a 619 number instead of international. Also like it because it travels with you . Anywhere you have internet you have your phone, be it your own computer or internet cafe or friends house. . It also gives you your own choice of area code number and free answering. It's $39.95 for the first year and then $19.95 there after. Check it out,k:yes::yes: PS by the way Ken you two make a nice looking couple. Your gal is beautiful. Lucky you,Happiness to you both,k

[Edited on 1-23-2008 by Keri]

Ken Cooke - 1-23-2008 at 09:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by KeriPS by the way Ken you two make a nice looking couple. Your gal is beautiful. Lucky you,Happiness to you both,k


Muchas gracias, Keri. That's the nicest thing I've heard all day! :yes: