Skype is an amazing way to stay connected with people all around the world, and depending on how you use it, it can be completely free. One of the greatest benefits about using the software is that you can call Skype-to-Skype totally for free, all around the world and with great quality too.
You can pick up a simple headset device to plug into your computer from a tech shop such as Radio Shack and start using the fantastic service for either business or personal communications.
It also allows you to create a really nice little avatar and profile where you can list some basic contact information such as an about me section, your website, home, office and mobile phone, making it very professional and straight forward to use.
Be careful of who tries to add you with their service. There may be some people who don't mean so well, but the ability to be able to review a person first before adding them to your contacts list is really handy.
You can also integrate it now with Myspace so that you can quickly and easily share multi-media from your Myspace page with someone that you are chatting with on Skype.
It also has a very basic, yet simple to use messenger service. So you can maintain a call to someone, while talking to another at the same time.
It comes preloaded with some really fun games, but it also has great custom-ability with the audio integration, and you can use it to make video conferencing calls as well.
If someone tries to add you and they leave you a shady looking message explaining why (usually with very little detail about themselves and an empty profile and avatar), you can not only block them, but report them as spam as well, which helps to keep the whole Skype service safe.
You can also share images from your computer to someone that you are messaging with, and if you like you can invest in something called Skype credit which costs a little more than 2 cents a minute and allows you to call cell phones and do call forwarding.
There is also a monthly plan that is even cheaper at just 1.2 cents a minute anywhere in the world. Don't worry though, if you still want to go the free route this includes skype-to-skype calling, instant messages and video calling.
The only thing that you cannot do with Skype is to use it to make emergency calls if you need help. You need to use either a cell or land line to do that.
So why not give it a try because you will find that you can get a lot more done for free with this amazing technology that is easy to download, takes minutes to learn, and very simple to use.
