Skype : is it useful? There are downsides?

A friend told me to install it but knowing it works with a system similar to peer-to-peer applications I'm still dubious.
Do any of you has it?
Any thoughts about it?

Originally posted by Ravello
A friend told me to install it but knowing it works with a system similar to peer-to-peer applications I'm still dubious.
Do any of you has it?
Any thoughts about it?

Great if you use it during non-peak hours and your connection is fine.

Particularly, it has saved me a lot of money in phone bills with family
and friends at the other side of the world.

Try it. What's the worst that can happen.

Yeah, it's free to download and to call other Skype users. If you call someone's phone there's a charge, but I don't think it's much (for long distance, anyway). I use it to take vocal lessons with a teacher in a different city, works great.

Originally posted by Ravello
A friend told me to install it but knowing it works with a system similar to peer-to-peer applications I'm still dubious.
Do any of you has it?
Any thoughts about it?

Skype is brilliant, the call quality can be a little dodgy sometimes but that's often fixed with a hang up and start again.

You can't get better than skype for its price!

Originally posted by Ravello
A friend told me to install it but knowing it works with a system similar to peer-to-peer applications I'm still dubious.
Do any of you has it?
Any thoughts about it?

Rags, skype is indeed a peertopeer application.
http://www1.cs.columbia.edu/~library/TR-repository/reports/reports-2004/cucs-039-04.pdf

There are two questionable downsides to skype that I know about. The question of "how much of a downside" is up to your own interpretation.

1. Your phone calls will be routed through other skype user's machines. Note: The packets are encrypted.

2. The skype system will use your computer/network to route other peoples calls. If you are on a fast connection I believe it will more readily use your connection.

Originally posted by Ravello
A friend told me to install it but knowing it works with a system similar to peer-to-peer applications I'm still dubious.
Do any of you has it?
Any thoughts about it?

Originally posted by tmetzler
Rags, skype is indeed a peertopeer application.
http://www1.cs.columbia.edu/~library/TR-repository/reports/reports-2004/cucs-039-04.pdf

There are two questionable downsides to skype that I know about. The question of "how much of a downside" is up to your own interpretation.

1. Your phone calls will be routed through other skype user's machines. ...[text shortened]... s calls. If you are on a fast connection I believe it will more readily use your connection.

I use skype to call my mums mobile phone in Spain and it's a lot cheaper than using my landline

My sister came during the holidays and we installed here so I could try it out. It's pretty good. I couldn't get the long distance to work, maybe I was punching in the number wrong or something.

My sister said her friend always uses it for long distance and it's fine.

I heard it's free only till Jan 17 though. Is this true?

Another bonus is you can phone your own house if you only have one line. So if you are in the basement on your pc, you can phone upstairs (your house) without walking up the stairs....

Originally posted by RahimK
My sister came during the holidays

Ok guys, thanks for the feedback.

Now let's go with the second question : does Skype will cause any security issues for my pc?

Originally posted by Ravello
Ok guys, thanks for the feedback.

Now let's go with the second question : does Skype will cause any security issues for my pc?