Community Forum

cindyo · 03-26-2009, 12:40 PM

Hi, just looking at some options for communicating back home. I have heard of skype but don't know how it works. Can anyone give me a primer and advise for use in aruba? Thanks, cindyo

fattypatty · 03-26-2009, 02:02 PM

i believe skype is a voip - calls made via the interent. it's free domestically but international calls are charged. i'm not sure how much. not sure how you would use that in aruba w/o incurring cost since the hotel will charge you for internet service. also, i don't believe aruba wifi hotspots - 2 maybe?

DushiHeidi · 03-26-2009, 02:07 PM

If you are just wanting to communicate internationally with someone I would suggest MSN messenger and then webcam with the person. I have skype'd with friends in Aruba and the connection isnt that great.

Schnauzerjoy · 03-26-2009, 02:46 PM

I use skype all the time when I am in Aruba. Both as pure voice as well as 2-way video conference.
I use it to call all over the world, and it works perfect.
It of course depends on what Internet connection you use and just as much as the person in the other end.
The new version 4, which just came out, has improved immensely.
Before you more or less had to have a very good external camera and microphone, but now I just use my build in camera and mic in my laptop and it is even good enough to use for calls to my offices as well.

So upgrade to the latest version and Skype away

.
It is free and works great.

www.skype.com

How it works? Just go to the site, they have guides for beginners.

Carsten

*Andrea J.* · 03-26-2009, 03:11 PM

i use skype

go to skype.com and the directions and downloads are easy
add in minutes on your credit card

andrea

cindyo · 03-26-2009, 03:17 PM

Do you guys pay by the call or have that monthly plan. I really don't need that monthly bit. Do you use the web cam or just as calls. DO we need headphone things? thanks, cindy

*Andrea J.* · 03-26-2009, 03:21 PM

i signed up, downloaded the stuff, bought $10 worth of minutes, bought the headset/mike @ radio shack and have used it religiously now for a few months when my account has less than $2 in it they add another $10 worth on the account

skype to skype calls are free
i use skype to skype when talking to mr burns (webmaster) i do not use the video camera thingy though

i do not pay a monthly fee
just pennies a minute for calls to non skype members

Randi · 03-26-2009, 04:27 PM

ok, this just seems way to complicated for me

, I just got used to MSN and facebook!

My $50 to Fast phones with my 84 minutes is just fine. Can use it anywhere and don't have to worry about internet connections which do go down occassionally.

cindyo · 03-26-2009, 05:02 PM

Andrea, thanks for the clarification. I'll pm you.

Retagger · 03-26-2009, 05:17 PM

I wrote about the Skype W-Fi phone on numerous occasions here. I use Skype all the time but WITHOUT a computer. I use the Wi-Fi Skype phone which is about the size of a regular cell phone. It is so much easier than taking a computer with you.

This link talks about that phone in more detail.

http://www.aruba.com/forum/f7/skype-wi-fi-phone-30559/

03-26-2009, 12:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
cindyo Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Reniassance Island Posts: 3,692 Images: 138	Skype ? Anyone used it in aruba? Hi, just looking at some options for communicating back home. I have heard of skype but don't know how it works. Can anyone give me a primer and advise for use in aruba? Thanks, cindyo Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Cindyo Family Poolside at the Rennaissance suites April 2010 Family with Bully, arubalisa & family Next Aruba trip in

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03-26-2009, 02:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
fattypatty Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: moomba, stellaris casino, baby beach, Posts: 479	i believe skype is a voip - calls made via the interent. it's free domestically but international calls are charged. i'm not sure how much. not sure how you would use that in aruba w/o incurring cost since the hotel will charge you for internet service. also, i don't believe aruba wifi hotspots - 2 maybe? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________

03-26-2009, 02:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
DushiHeidi Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 288	If you are just wanting to communicate internationally with someone I would suggest MSN messenger and then webcam with the person. I have skype'd with friends in Aruba and the connection isnt that great. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

03-26-2009, 02:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
Schnauzerjoy Banned Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: My swimming pool with a 7/7 or in my boat with a fishing rod looking in at Malmok. Posts: 276	Skype away I use skype all the time when I am in Aruba. Both as pure voice as well as 2-way video conference. I use it to call all over the world, and it works perfect. It of course depends on what Internet connection you use and just as much as the person in the other end. The new version 4, which just came out, has improved immensely. Before you more or less had to have a very good external camera and microphone, but now I just use my build in camera and mic in my laptop and it is even good enough to use for calls to my offices as well. So upgrade to the latest version and Skype away . It is free and works great. www.skype.com How it works? Just go to the site, they have guides for beginners. Carsten Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook Last edited by Schnauzerjoy; 03-26-2009 at 02:49 PM.

03-26-2009, 03:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: renaissance island, eagle beach, amsterdam manor/passions beach bar, Hung Paradis, alto vista chapel, madam janettes, big porch at B55 Posts: 13,258 Images: 80	i use skype go to skype.com and the directions and downloads are easy add in minutes on your credit card andrea Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Please, I'll have a Grande' decaf Mocha Latte' with a shot of liquid tranquilizer.

03-26-2009, 03:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
cindyo Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Reniassance Island Posts: 3,692 Images: 138	Do you guys pay by the call or have that monthly plan. I really don't need that monthly bit. Do you use the web cam or just as calls. DO we need headphone things? thanks, cindy Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Cindyo Family Poolside at the Rennaissance suites April 2010 Family with Bully, arubalisa & family Next Aruba trip in

03-26-2009, 03:21 PM	#7 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: renaissance island, eagle beach, amsterdam manor/passions beach bar, Hung Paradis, alto vista chapel, madam janettes, big porch at B55 Posts: 13,258 Images: 80	i signed up, downloaded the stuff, bought $10 worth of minutes, bought the headset/mike @ radio shack and have used it religiously now for a few months when my account has less than $2 in it they add another $10 worth on the account skype to skype calls are free i use skype to skype when talking to mr burns (webmaster) i do not use the video camera thingy though i do not pay a monthly fee just pennies a minute for calls to non skype members Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Please, I'll have a Grande' decaf Mocha Latte' with a shot of liquid tranquilizer.

03-26-2009, 04:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
Randi Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,516 Images: 9	ok, this just seems way to complicated for me, I just got used to MSN and facebook! My $50 to Fast phones with my 84 minutes is just fine. Can use it anywhere and don't have to worry about internet connections which do go down occassionally. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Randi Next Aruba trip in

03-26-2009, 05:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
cindyo Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Reniassance Island Posts: 3,692 Images: 138	Andrea, thanks for the clarification. I'll pm you. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Cindyo Family Poolside at the Rennaissance suites April 2010 Family with Bully, arubalisa & family Next Aruba trip in

03-26-2009, 05:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
Retagger Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 226	Skype without the PC I wrote about the Skype W-Fi phone on numerous occasions here. I use Skype all the time but WITHOUT a computer. I use the Wi-Fi Skype phone which is about the size of a regular cell phone. It is so much easier than taking a computer with you. This link talks about that phone in more detail. http://www.aruba.com/forum/f7/skype-wi-fi-phone-30559/ Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ David http://david-letts.artistwebsites.com/ http://www.casadearuba.com