richcornucopia Posted May 17, 2006 CID Share Posted May 17, 2006 Skype, which offers software that allows people to talk over an Internet connection using their PCs, is trying to get more people in North America to use its SkypeOut service, which typically charges people to make calls to a traditional or mobile phone. Skype calls made between PCs are free. Skype, owned by online auctioneer eBay, doesn't break out the number of people using its premium services such as SkypeOut. But as of the end of April, it claimed to have more than 100 million registered users, nearly double the number of registered users it had in September 2005. About 6 million of those consumers are in the U.S., said a company spokeswoman. By comparison, China has 13 million registered users and Germany has 5 million. "Millions of consumers around the world are flocking to Skype every month," Henry Gomez, general manager for Skype in North America, said in a statement. "And we believe free SkypeOut calling will rapidly accelerate Skype adoption in the U.S. and Canada." While Skype executives are hoping to drum up more business with this promotion, SkypeOut calling is free only until the end of 2006. What's more, calls made to and within all countries other than the U.S. and Canada will continue to incur charges at current rates. The free SkypeOut promotion comes at a time when competitors such as Yahoo and AOL are integrating more call features into their instant-messaging clients. Starting Tuesday, AOL instant-messaging users will be able to use AIM Phoneline, a new service that allows people to make calls from their IM client to regular phones. AOL's service lets subscribers get free incoming calls from regular phones. But it charges a monthly fee to make calls to regular phones or cell phones. In other news: Got a need for broadband speed? Your computer may be a pain in the neck Newsmaker: Breathing new life into Xerox News.com Extra: Dawn of the digital factory job Video: Apple's new MacBook While the SkypeOut service will allow free calling to regular phones, the company will continue to charge people to get calls using a service it calls SkypeIn, which costs about $38 for an unlimited 12-month subscription. Consumers can get the service for three months for about $12.80. Skype is also trying to attract new users by enhancing its services. Last week, it released a new test version of its software that adds more features and functionality to the service. For example, it's adding a feature called Skypecasts, which are live, moderated discussions that allow groups of Skype users to discuss shared interests. The company also added SMS (Short Message Service), integration with Outlook e-mail contact lists, and shared contact lists. I think this is gonna bring tons more users to Skype, as people see its free they will try it out and some will probably pay for SkypeIn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunted 2 Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 here is the main site http://www.skype.com and the place i found out it was free which says >> Skype has announced that PC-To-Phone calls to US and Canada customers are now free at least through the end of 2006. Thanks Selma and M&M You may have to download the latest version of Skype, and use the following format to call: "+1 555 555 5555". http://www.slickdeals.net/#p7511 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richcornucopia Posted May 18, 2006 Author CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 I downloaded it and tried to call my cellphone and it works all for free. The number shows up as like 01234. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunted 2 Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 my number is 000-012-3456 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richcornucopia Posted May 18, 2006 Author CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 Yea that was it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunted 2 Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richcornucopia Posted May 18, 2006 Author CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 Anyway I liked the idea of free outgoing calls so much I called up the local pizza place using skype and ordered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommie gorman Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 Nice find, richcornucopia. I actually know some people that need that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlewis23 Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resopalrabotnick Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 sysadmins hate skype. it tunnels through all kinds of firewalls with encrypted traffic that is near impossible to block. the worry is that if skype sets up these tunnels and there is a compromise of skype, what can happen to the network? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunted 2 Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 thats a very good question !!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommie gorman Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 resopalrabotnick, now that you have determined the problem, what would be the solution? I know that you have read up on this subject! I know you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlewis23 Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 sysadmins hate skype. it tunnels through all kinds of firewalls with encrypted traffic that is near impossible to block. the worry is that if skype sets up these tunnels and there is a compromise of skype, what can happen to the network? what can happen to the network, alot can happen, a person at my office used skype and it messed our network all up because it would open ports, but it would never close them. and its so hard to block because it always uses a different port. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunted 2 Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 yea man the only way to block skype is to actually block them from even using the program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommie gorman Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 So if my buddy called his kids, via internet. You are saying that he is susceptable to problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlewis23 Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 yea man the only way to block skype is to actually block them from even using the program. we had to take away everyones install rights, so that no one would install it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resopalrabotnick Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 the thing is peer to peer. so hard to track. it is also the one voip system incompatible to established standards. it's skype to skype only. no others. it encrypts its traffic, it hides itself in the traffic, it opens ports and has even been able to tunnel out of company firewalls. now imagine a hacked version of skype being able to exploit these perforated firewalls. not a pretty thing. that is why it is often forbidden by penalty of a public flaying from being used in a company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark06 Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 we had to take away everyones install rights, so that no one would install it. Run it off a usb drive i did that just install it to f:// Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlewis23 Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 Run it off a usb drive i did that just install it to f:// we block all drives except 1 folder on the C drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark06 Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 ok make yourself aN FTP WITH EXECUTABLE RIGHTS that will work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlewis23 Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 ok make yourself aN FTP WITH EXECUTABLE RIGHTS that will work we block FTP, there is now way your running skype on my office network after i set it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark06 Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 run one from your house using port 80 u cant block port 80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dlewis23 Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 run one from your house using port 80 u cant block port 80 i can block port 80, but hell i can run anything i want at my office because im the sys. admin, but the others in the office would now know how to do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark06 Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 u r not a sys admin if you blockn port 80 u render your network useless most webpages use port 80 you would not be able to connect to them your the man trust me i play cat and mouse before there are always loopholes find them and exploit them thats my job without getting my ass caught Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommie gorman Posted May 18, 2006 CID Share Posted May 18, 2006 So if my buddy called his kids, via internet. You are saying that he is susceptable to problems? So any takers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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