Do I Need Skype?

Many people use Skype to communicate via telephone, IM, and video chat all day long. Others don't even know what Skype is. In this article, we will tell you the benefits of Skype and why you just might need to use it.

When I was traveling abroad, I would call my family to check in and inform them about my travels. We would talk for quite a long time at which point my elderly parents would chime in and query, "We have been talking for quite a long time. Isn't this getting real expensive?"

I responded to my mom, "No, mom, I am on Skype so it is just costing 2 cents a minute. We can talk for an hour and it will be under $2."

My mom was flabbergasted. "2 cents a minute?" she asked. "You'll have to tell me about this Skype thing so we can use it to."

As it is with technology, the younger generation often needs to explain things to their parents. My parents, of the older generation, are always interested in saving money because they are on their retirement, fixed income. However, when it comes to technology, they just don't understand most of it.

Upon returning home, my mom then reiterated to me: "Ok, what is the Skype thing? Do I need Skype and what will it cost me?"

This is often the first question: How much does Skype cost?

Here is the answer to that question: Skype is free if both people are on computers-if two people want to communicate, and both have Internet connections, they can communicate via phone, IM, or video chat for free. In this context, you can think of it like MSN chat or Yahoo Messenger except with the primary function to talk to another clearly instead of simply IM.

If you are on Skype and you want to call a land-based phone or a cell phone, then Skype costs money, but it is much less than calling them from your land-line or cell phone.

After spending some time Living in Uruguay, I can assure you that Skype is a no-brainer-you must use it for all of your calls. At about 2 cents per minute, it beats any other platform. And, remember, if those that you are calling also have Skype, it is free. Also, Skype integrates with the best Web browsers so that you can click phone numbers in your browser and Skype will automatically open and make the call.

Here is a little thing I do that most people don't know that you can do with Skype: text a land-line or cell phone. So, now, when I am going to talk to some for a while, I will text their land-line or cell phone, and in this text I will tell them to go on Skype.

Thus, instead of paying the 2 cents per minute, I pay one time for a text (10 cents) and then the rest is free.

The benefits of Skype are many. It can save you a tremendous amount of money and add to your experience. With Skype, you can talk on the phone, view each other over video, and send IMs all at one time.

So, if you ever ask the question: "do I need Skype?". The answer is absolutely!

For more information, and to find out if someone blocked you from Skype, visit ThisIsHowYouDoIt.com, your home for the best how to videos and articles.