| es the abbreviation VoIP leave you dumb struck? | | | | can't be an excuse. Check out whether your computer |
| Don't worry; even I was when I heard about it for the | | | | has Windows 2000 or XP, 400 MHz or a more |
| first time. The clouds parted when I discovered what it | | | | powerful processor, 126 MB or more RAM, a sound |
| stands for: Voice over Internet Protocol. | | | | card, speakers and microphones and atleast 33.6 kbps |
| Have you ever been left hapless at the sight of | | | | dial-up-modem connection. A broadband connection is |
| immensely long queues outside phonebooks? And that | | | | best. Make sure your hard drive has atleast 15MB |
| too when you need to make a call to your aunt in LA | | | | space to download Skype. If the above is Greek to |
| and wish her on her 65 th birthday. And, though you | | | | you, just ask any geek to check out your system |
| brave the queue for seemingly endless minutes or | | | | parameters. |
| hours, the constantly rising bill makes you our or | | | | Now, go to click on the download link, save the |
| conversation too short to even cal it conversation. | | | | programme on your desktop, open it and double click |
| International calls are still not dirt cheap and now that | | | | on the installation file. Once Skype is installed, take out |
| the world and its brother have PC's and Internet | | | | your last month's phone bill and have a good laugh. |
| connection, even technophobes should have enough | | | | With Skype, you can call another Skype-user |
| sense to download software that enables you to | | | | anywhere in the world for free (you only pay for the |
| make phone calls using the Internet! Yes, you read it | | | | net usage, not calls). Skype has an option for landline |
| right. Make phone calls using Internet. Just need to | | | | calls that requires payment charges depend on where |
| catch hold of an IP phone and a software like Skype | | | | you are calling. But rates are still cheaper than landline |
| and you are ready for a futuristic roller coaster | | | | costs. |
| experience! | | | | The voice may break or come in snatches if the |
| Calling anywhere on Earth for three or four rupees a | | | | connection is slow. But things are likely to get vapidly |
| minute – at most, is a pretty darn good idea, and | | | | better in that matter. My experience has been that if |
| one that's catching on big time. VoIP, in layman's terms | | | | your soundcard, microphone and headsets are of |
| is the use of certain hardware and software that | | | | good quality, Skype gives you fairly good service. |
| makes you call up any other person on this planet. | | | | Also, IP telephony scores over messenger services |
| Thereafter, you only need a good headset to have a | | | | offered by MSN or AOL. In the letter, if your net |
| chat and assuming of course, that you have a | | | | connection speed is different from your interlocutor's, |
| multimedia PC and not a BBC micro. | | | | its' hard to talk simultaneously. With Skype, this makes |
| In a poll conducted worldwide, as many as a billion | | | | no difference. |
| people have abandoned telephone for IP telephony. In | | | | The broadband wagon has started to role, so its' |
| fact, you can make a phone call to the US on dialpad | | | | success seems assured. In fact, it could even affect |
| coin for as little as 75 paise a minute. The internet | | | | mobile telephony. New Scientist reported earlier this |
| does not know or care whether the data that's rushing | | | | year that cellphones with built in Wi-fi capability that link |
| through its 'routers' began as a phone conversation or | | | | to low-cost internet connection are nearly for launch |
| a movie or a search for Pamela Anderson. As long as | | | | long-distance call costs can take another big fall. |
| it is in digital packets, it can find its' way to the Internet | | | | The flip side is, if you are calling Skype-to-Skype, the |
| Protocol (IP) address it's meant for. And so what is | | | | called party will have to be online and pretty near the |
| happening is more and more phone calls are getting | | | | computer. Similarly, if a Skype-contact calls you and |
| made through Internet. | | | | you are offline or online but missing about in the other |
| You can do it in either of the following of two ways: | | | | room, you'll miss the call. |
| by going to a site like or perhaps your own Internet | | | | That's a disadvantage so do as the experts suggest. |
| service provider's site (if they offer the service), or by | | | | Just spread the word on your online habits among |
| just picking up an IP phone at a broadband Internet | | | | your Skype – contacts or pre – arrange |
| café like sify. If you make the call using your | | | | a chat by email or via a short, normal phone |
| computer all you have to do is to go to the website, | | | | conversation. But the whole purpose of the technology |
| buy a prepaid package that suits you using your credit | | | | is defeated by the cost of Skype – enabled |
| card, and enter the destination number. | | | | phones still, with IP telephony, I sometimes wish to give |
| Another way is Skype. Skype is a free software for | | | | all the phone booth things a piece of my mind – |
| Internet phoning. It's so simple that even technophobia | | | | at little cost and from a safe distance. |