My cost for Skype is Zero $. If they double it, it is Ok. Skype is a good service for overseas calls to friends. I would not use it for work. Not the best of quility. System supports both VoIP and VTC with mini cam.

I use Skype frequently as a means of communication with family and friends, usually a international distances. When the connections go through and hold, there's nothing quite like it. Over the years Skype has made many improvements in the sound quality of its connections (in particular, by eliminating annoying echoes). BUT----there are frequent occasions when the connection is "dropped" and you find yourself talking to a "dead" line. I have yet to figure out a reason for this break of contact and sometimes, in my frustration, feel as if it is done intentionally for the purpose of getting me to switch over to the paying mode, something I'm not willing to do. After all, I pay enough to my ISP and if I want a land-line call, I can make it cheaply enough.
The really big advantage is the feeling that you are talking to someone sitting next to you, and if you both have cameras, you can see each other as well.
When I was a child (a long time ago) such things were the exclusive realm of science fiction.

My only experience with Skype was a friend who's son was in Italy and had his wallet (along with all of his travelers cheques and credit cards) stolen. The kid was able to use Skype throught the Hotel managers office and my friend was able to provide a credit card over the phone to cover hotel costs and also arrange to get his son more travelers cheques. Definitely a benefit in that case. Other than that, no need to use personally.

skype is great for communicating with friends and family who are living abroad.....i never used it though....my uncle use it quite frequently....

So skype is best for international calls, it seems. Hence, if one does not have any international callers, then Skype may not be useful.

With domestic telephone rates what they are (optimum voice and vonage are one price per month with calling anywhere at anytime, verizon wireless has free nights and weekends, etc), Skype seems pointless. Internationally it is a no brainer.

skype is one of the bests online chatting system available around.....

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I have heard that but I have never found the need to use it.

I use skype very frequently, but ZERO is the price I would pay. I use it solely for voip calls (skype 2 skype) and its been great so far. As far as the usefulness is concerned, if you spend most of your waking hours staring at a computer I would rather take a call right there instead of running to grab a device. See its just a question of your lifestyle and connections.