Skype now standard 'comms' for cruising sailors

4:54 AM Sun 5 Jul 2009 GMT

'skype' Media Services

'How long has this been going on?' that's what a cruising friend said to me recently when I showed her my Skype set-up. I had to admit I didn't know the answer to that, but it certainly must be every cruising sailor's dream.

When you are away from home, it's the telephone calls that mean a lot, both to you, and to your family. With Skype, all you need is a Skype login and password and a earphone and speaker headset. Then you can walk into any internet caf? and dial to landlines anywhere in the world for next to nothing. And of course, if the person you're calling also has Skype, then the call is completely FREE.

To give you an idea of the costs, calling from Europe to USA is around US 2cents a minute - cheaper than a normal phone ! If you DO call a mobile (cell phone) , it's still only around US 20cents a minute.

So, how to do it? In brief, go to www.skype.comand click on 'Download'. This takes about five minutes and is free.

(Later, if you are in an internet caf?, and they don't have Skype, you can do it right then.- tho' we are hardly finding caf?s that do not have Skype program) First you have to set up a user name and password, and you're in business

Put on your headphones and the first thing you need to do is the 'Skype Test Call'. Click on the icon, and a computer will tell you to record a few words at the beep for 10 seconds - just like an answer machine. If you have configured Skype correctly, you will then hear your own words back.

To call someone with Skype, you can do it immediately, even if you don't know their Skype address - just put in their email or name and surname, and Skype will locate them. There are securities in place so that you don't get unwanted calls, however, so if it's someone who doesn't want to hear from you, they can reject the call.

To call someone who doesn't have Skype, you have to first use your credit card to get some credit - also an easy task, just follow the prompts. - it won't break the bank only 10 Euro's (US$14 approx). Once you have some credit, why, dial away... perfect for calling parents and other family who don't have computers and absolutely essential when chasing parts and equipment

Perfect for the cruising sailor, cheap, works well - I've been using one for two years now, and recommend it to my friends.

BTW as of June 2009, the best headset available seems to be a Logitech Premium 350 - it has a USB connector to your laptop and it seems to be the best on reliability, durability and comfort.

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by Nancy Knudsen