| Internet telephony: Does Skype live up to the hype? |
| Invention Development Advice - Marketing | |||
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With 143 million downloads, Skype is the free Internet telephony service that has got everyone talking. Once you have it installed, Skype enables you to make free 'calls' from your computer. As you'll read it's well suited to us soloists. It's important for soloists to stay connected with the outside world and this natty communications tool means you can do just that - easily, immediately and (best of all) for nothing. As more of us move towards an Internet connection that's 'always on', the immediacy and simplicity of Skype is akin to having colleagues and friends sitting alongside you. Clearly this can be both good AND not so good. Thankfully Skype allows you to appear invisible when you'd rather not be disturbed. To get Skype going you need a PC and at least a broadband Internet connection. Your system should have an inbuilt microphone and speakers or you can invest in a headset with a mike which plugs into your computer. Actually, many long term users choose to buy the headset as it ensures privacy and better sound quality. Tell us what you think: rate this article Compatible with Mac, Windows and Linux, the basic download of Skype (7.3MB) enables you to speak for free with other Skype members. If you use Outlook, Skype offers the option to scan your address book to look for other members. As for security, all calls are encrypted and peer-to-peer (i.e. they don’t go through a server) so it’s impossible for hackers to listen in on your conversations. Skype is also free from malware, spyware and other nasties. We interviewed Grant Hyman to discover the ways Skype has helped him with his solo business. How did you come across Skype? A close colleague and fellow soloist in Victoria rang and suggested we try it. How does it help you in the day to day running of your solo business? It definitely helps for a number of reasons. Most obvious are the cost savings. Being free to use, my total financial investment was a $9.95 microphone at an electronics shop as I already had speakers connected. Secondly, it gives me an extra line available, with the phone being freed. Thirdly, it's more comfortable sitting back in the chair with a microphone than holding a phone to my ear. Finally, it leaves both hands free to type, so my colleague and I can be sending each other emails, then discussing the emails’ content in real time. How would you reassure those who may find an Internet telephony service intimidating? I was hesitant about downloading freeware on my business system, but it loaded and operated first time with no problems at all. It has never caused any system conflicts and has been completely unobtrusive apart from a little 2-3 second pop-up which tells you when someone in your address book logs in. Any other comments about Skype? The voice sound is a little different to a phone, but you forget that after a couple of times. It has been very reliable but can slow down or echo a bit during peak Internet usage times of if your computer is flat out processing. All in all, though, for my needs it’s a great product! Once you’ve got the hang of one-on-one calls, you can branch out and create your own virtual meetings with up to five people via conference call. This is great for those in remote areas or for small groups who never quite manage to meet up regularly. Provided you can talk your colleagues into downloading Skype, this won’t cost you a cent. However, if those you want to speak to persist in being late adopters, you could opt for SkypeOut, a service that enables you to make calls to landlines around the world for 1.7 Euro cents per minute (about 3.5 Australian cents). Prices that ought to make Telstra and their shareholders break out into a cold sweat, in other words. Intrigued? You can download Skype here. Once you’ve tried and tested it, let us know how you got on! Sam Leader is a director of Flying Solo and its editor. She is the co-author of Flying Solo - How to go it alone in business and is currently working on her second book. This article first appeared on www.flyingsolo.com.au, Australia's online community for solo business owners.
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