<p>D and I talked a few times this summer via Skype. Quality varied from poor to dreadful. We have fiber-optic access here but she was at internet cafes in central America. Long lag between sound and video. Most conversations got dropped several times. It was nice to see her smiling face and know she was OK, but other than that it wasn’t at all like a good phone connection.</p>
<p>We use Skype all the time to and from Mexico. Have always had great connections. We use both Skype-to-Skype (both parties on computer and subscribers) and Skype Out (calling a land line). As others have said, very cheap and good. Skype Out to call a cell phone is usually more expensive per minute than to a land line.</p>
<p>We have purchased the headset offered by Skype. It was inexpensive ($39?) and is excellent. Also purchased one offered by Rosetta Stone (even cheaper as I recall), also excellent.</p>
<p>I don’t care about the camera thing so haven’t bought a webcam. My laptop has a built-in camera, but I turn it off. </p>
<p>Now… if I had grandchildren…</p>
<p>I have recently started using Skype as S1 is in Bangkok. No video. Sound has cut out a few times and I’ve also had my system freeze up a few times during calls. </p>
<p>Still, I think it is one of the best technology inventions. It is soooooooo good to hear his voice and talk real time.</p>
<p>Live messenger is another alternative to Skypes - livemessenger.com. I found it much easier to install than Skypes.</p>
<p>I am using Microsoft (1.3) web cam and still learning how to integrate all the dialog boxes that are popping up— which cost $49 Circuit City. </p>
<p>Juniorparent is livemessenger the MSN live messenger, and does this work with AIM, or does everyone have to subscribe to, yet another, IM service ?</p>
<p>LOVE Skype!!! Have the Pro 9000, it is awesome.</p>
<p>Think this is so great that I am buying webcams(as birthday presents) for my three best friends that live far across the country and who I do not get to see often enough so that we can keep in better touch.</p>
<p>D was missing her two best friends who left before she did for their freshman year of college… until she got her first Skype call from them and they were able to communicate how much fun they were having. It got her VERY excited to go herself.</p>