I sent this email out to some people I know, and thought I’d post it here too. I know Skype has been around awhile, but it’s new to me, since I’ve never used it before. I just installed Skype, and I have to say, it’s pretty cool! I heard of it before, but didn’t think I wanted to take the time to learn it. I’m glad I did, though. Here’s the deal for an easy start-up:

• Go here, and download Skype: http://www.skype.com/download/
• Install and open up. The interface looks like MSN messenger. Underneath the sign-in, create your new user name and password.
• You can read about all the other features later, but at the bottom left, there’s a small blue and white icon with a phone, that say “Call ordinary phones.”
• Click on it and enter a phone number in the US or Canada.
• Dial. Enjoy.
• You can call any land line or mobile phone in the US or Canada for free! Sitting in my brother’s house on my laptop, I called my parents house and my cell phone as a test. Worked great – I didn’t notice any lagging.

Here’s the catch. This service is only free until Jan. 18, 2007. This was the promotional period, and Skype will phase it out, and charge $30 USD for 1 year of unlimited calling in the US and Canada. But, if you sign up for this service before Jan. 31, 2007, it’s an introductory rate of $15 and 100 free international minutes. If you’re out of North America, unlimited calling to friends and family back home for a year, for $15? Still sounds good to me. If nothing else, install it and try it out. It’s free.

For me (on a computer) to call a mobile phone in Korea is 12 cents (USD) per minute, while a land line is 3 cent/minute. Of course, Skype to Skype calls are FREE. Another feature:

A news article

Anyway, for friends and family, I’m easily searchable using my real name. Look me up, give me a call!