Recently I spent four weeks in the Seattle area with my daughter awaiting the birth of my first grandchild. I could rave on and on about the cuteness factor but that’s another story. Once I flew back home, it was pretty tough to make those free cell phone calls between 9pm and 6am and weekends. Babies are not always awake at convenient times.
After I watched a news program where an interview was conducted using Skype, I realized I had my answer. Sure I’d heard about it before but had never had the need to investigate it. I was happy using my cellphone until I wanted real time video as well.
Skype is a free program that you download on to your computer that turns your personal computer into a telephone. Skype uses voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) technology, which converts voice signals into data streams that are sent over the Internet and converted back to audio by the recipient’s computer. Although Skype is not the only company that offers VoIP services for consumers, it functions on a peer-to-peer (P2P) model rather than as a centralized application. With the P2P model, users download software that allows computers to communicate directly with one another, without having to be routed through a central location. This decentralized model allows Skype to function as a robust, distributed medium for communication. The service allows communication between Skype-equipped devices, which is free, or between a Skype device and a conventional telephone for relatively modest fees. Skype offers features such as voicemail and call forwarding, and the service also now supports video communication.
You can use Skype for:
- Free Skype-to-Skype calls
- Calling phones and cell phones anywhere at low rates
- Setting up an online number for yourself
- Text messaging
- Call forwarding
- Voicemail
- File transfers
Skype was a snap to download and start using. My daughter and I can leisurely talk while she takes cares of the baby. I can’t wait for the day when my grandson and I can have our first conversation.
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Welcome to Verda Vivo. My name is Daryl Warner Laux.
I too have a Skype account. I still remember of a conference I did with two friends, one in Paris, the other in Belgium. The three of us talked as if we had been in the same room (or almost)
If your daughter have a webcam, you might be able tosee the baby in real time… ^^
Enjoy your weekend !
Edouard, I’m trying to convince my son to download Skype so we can conference with him too. My daughter has a webcam so we can see each other and the baby. Hope you have a great weekend as well! ~ Daryl
Its such a perfect chat software for high quality video chats !
Thanks Daryl