VOIP: Skype vs. Yahoo! Voice

I am a bit obsessed with being connected and being able to communicate with anyone and everyone. I prefer instant messaging (texting) over email. I tend to use email for longer term things, where it may take some thought or where I do not need an immediate answer. But let's face it, I can be an impatient person. Most of the time, I need (want) an answer immediately.

I have written in previous posts about using MS Communicator for work and using Yahoo Messenger for everything else. But, recently I started using Skype to communicate with some friends and co-workers outside of the US. So, it may seem insane to use three separate messaging programs. But, each has features I like and I tend to use them based on what the person on the other end is using.

I have been using VOIP quite a bit lately. I have always used Yahoo Voice to call home when I am traveling outside of the US. But, I have been using Skype now to communicate for work. It is really convenient. I would love to be able to ditch my office phone (landline) altogether. I am almost always connected to the internet and when I am not I can be reached on my mobile phone. It is just much easier to have it all in one place. Skype has some really cool tools where you can quickly make calls on the fly.

So, why can't I just ditch my landline? For starters, I use Webex quite a bit and there are some bandwidth issues when using Webex and VOIP. Things are improving but still not perfect. There are some other issues as well.

+'s of Yahoo Voice

• $0.01/min to call the US & UK regardless of where you are calling from, this is half of Skype

• A fraction of a cent more to call France and Germany

• For $2.50/month I have a local (Philadelphia) phone number that anyone can call and will ring at my computer

• If I am away from my computer and receive a voicemail, it emails me an audio file which I can check on my phone or laptop

• I can forward my office phone to my Yahoo # when abroad. Otherwise, I would have to pay long distance to check voice mail or receive forwarded calls.

• My Yahoo # appears as a Caller Identification when I am calling landlines or mobile phones.

-'s of Yahoo Voice

• There is no unlimited US calling. So, even though calls are $0.01/min, I would like the option to pay a monthly flat rate to call unlimited in the US. So, pretty much a show stopper for ditching my office phone.

• The interface is a bit awkward when dialing landlines and mobiles

• Not as accepted as Skype internationally

+'s of Skype

• Solid interface

• Really cool tools built in to identify phone numbers in emails and websites to call directly

• You pay $3/month for unlimited calling to US/Canada

• $0.02/min to call internationally (twice that of Yahoo, but still cheap)

• You can get a phone number for non-skype people to call you for $20/year

• Call forwarding capability

-'s of Skype

• They do not have caller id in the US when calling landlines and mobiles. This is essentially a show stopper for replacing an existing landline for business as people rarely will answer from an "UNAVAILABLE"

• AMEX is not an accepted form of payment

• If you use a VISA credit card, you are limited to $30/month. You have to use other forms - Pay Pal etc to get more. Apparently, that changes the longer you use it.

• Skype mobile is still in its infancy in the US

So, because I am a geek for this type of stuff, I use both. So far so good. I would love to find a product that would do it all. The two show stoppers above would make me a dedicated user and huge evangelist for their products. Not sure anyone from Yahoo or Skype is reading? If so, hook me up.

How to stay in touch when on the road...internationally

Many of us are required (or choose, depends on your perspective) to be on the road for work and be away from those that are close to us. There are many ways to stay in touch..email, mobile phones, ims, webcam etc..

Even a few years ago this was a challenge. Remember the days before high speed internet? Local mobile plans were a real treat and calling cards still cost too much. Things have definitely changed quite a bit. Nearly everyone in the US has a nationwide mobile phone plan. Many have PDA phones that allow emails and texting. So, as long as you are traveling in the US, you can stay connected fairly easily. Maybe even connected too much, by some standards?

But once we travel outside of the US, things can get complicated. Well, let's face it, things get expensive. Making international calls are getting more reasonable, but roaming is outrageously expensive. Even if you pay the "upgrade" fee to "get the best" price. It costs ~0.99/min in Europe. So even a quick call home can be a few bucks, but usually much more.

One option is to get a prepaid SIM card for the perspective country and make the long distance call home. Still expensive and a drag to have to go through the hassle. I just returned from a trip to England and have found new ways to "call home".

I recently began using Yahoo Messenger to call home. The exact service is referred to as Yahoo Voice.
So, assuming that I can get descent quality high speed internet access, it has worked out very well. If I call pc to pc, it is free. Yeah, free. If I call pc to phone it is $0.01/min. That is half of the cost of its primary competitor Skype. Another really cool feature is "phone in" service. Allows me to choose a local number that anyone can call that will then ring me at my computer. If I am not there, they can leave a message. I can also forward my US office phone to that number so that I can retrieve voice mails while on the road. Otherwise, even checking voice mail would be a long distance call.

As long as the internet connection is descent, the sound quality is not bad. I did have slower connection in one hotel and the delay was quite annoying. I find that it is more of a hassle to ensure that my headset is working properly. Seems to have a mind of its own. Mutes the mic, uses the computer speakers instead of the headset. Simple reboot seems to clear up the issues. I am using a Plantronics DSP-400 headset.

Another perk when traveling is using a webcam. Currently
I am using a Logitech Quickcam Deluxe for Notebooks. I love the size and the image quality is descent. But I have to say, the stability of the camera isn't the best. It tends to crash my computer (BSOD) quite often. So, I have to be very careful when I use it not to have too much else running on my machine.

The key to both the headset and camera that I am using is that they are both fairly portable. The camera is literally the size of a box of matches. The headset folds neatly, but does have a clunky "voice enhancer" thing of some sort. Looks like a battery pack.

I feel like gypsy because my bag has so many things in it. But staying connected is important to me, so its worth it. These are the gadgets I use for communicating. I am also way into music, I'll save that for another time.