Who uses or has used Skype on a regular basis?

Question

Please do not say what is your Skype user name. My idea is just for to know the potential use of teleconferencing through that medium.

Can you comment how was your experience when using Skype?

Would you like to use this medium and the formation of a group of members of SpanishDict to practice?

More information about Skype, here

Please, see my additional comments

• Please, see my latest comments below... - Carlos-F Jan 23, 2010
• Carlos, link does not open - Heidita Jan 24, 2010
• OK, corregido, Thanks - Carlos-F Jan 24, 2010

Answer 1

I use skype quite often to communicate with my friends in other countries or even in the same city. The sound quality is fantastic, much better than ventrilo. Skype is basically like talking on a telephone only with better sound quality and it does not cost anything.

Another thing that could really help people conferencing to learn Spanish is that there is a "share screen" option. Basically I can click a buttton that allows the other person/s to see exactly what I see on my computer screen. You can either show part of what is on your screen or all of what is on your screen. So if I was working with something on my screen and I felt like I just could not explain it well, I could simply hit a button and allow the other person to see exactly what I am doing.

Last thing I can think of that would be helpful is that you can easily share links, files, or type in a chat box while talking in skype. For example, if someone was talking and I did not want to intterupt them, I could type what I needed to say.

Skype is very easy to download and very user friendly. Even if someone had never heard of it, they could have it up and running probably in about 5 minutes or less. If someone wants to use skype to practice Spanish I am defintily looking forward to that and I would join in a heartbeat.

• wow, I didn't know there was a "share screen" option!! Can you explain where it is??? - hlsbookworm Jan 21, 2010
• My computer is infected with a virus atm so I can't actually get into the program but if memory serves me correctly then it will be under the "share" option right above the chat box. You can share full or part of your screen. It gives you a box for it. - Jessicasa Jan 21, 2010
• cool, thanks! - hlsbookworm Jan 21, 2010
• yeah i have to agree! Skype works really well for me too.. yeah the share option is right above the chat box :] - mel25tlw Jan 24, 2010

Answer 2

I've never used it before, but I've heard enough about it to say that I would be interested in using it as a tool for learning Spanish.

Answer 3

I use Skype frequently to talk face-to-face with my family. It's easy, fun, free, and reliable.

Using Skype here is an excellent idea. I'm all for it!

• Hi Volpon, Don't you receive PM's? - Carlos-F Jan 22, 2010

Answer 4

Something else to consider besides skype is Ventrilo. I love skype but it is really only good for very small groups. It would also be more difficult for people to meet at the same time with skype because of time differences.

The best way to explain Ventrilo is that it is like a house with rooms. People can enter or leave the house, but the house is always there. Inside ventrilo there are different rooms.

We could label each one of the rooms like "beginner conversation," "intermediate conversation," and "advanced conversation." People would be able to join and leave these rooms (channels) whenever they wanted. This would help with time zones because anyone could join or leave at any time.

If we wanted we could pick specific topics for each day or week and then adjust them for each level. This will be difficult because there are so many time zones but maybe we could have 3 meetings lead by 3 different people to accomodate more time differences.

Basically skype is wonderful but it limits who and how many people could join at one time. Ventrilo on the other hand would allow many more people to join.

If someone else could explain Ventrilo better that would be fantastic. It is very difficult to explain to someone who has never used it.

Skype is best for 1 on 1 tutoring. Ventrilo is best for groups that want to practice conversation.

• I saw that you need to configure a server to access. Could you give me some tips about this? Thanks - Carlos-F Jan 24, 2010
• Whenever you have time just message me on skype and I'll show you how to do it. - Jessicasa Jan 24, 2010
• I hadn't even though of using Ventrilo like this.... great idea! - Luciente Jan 24, 2010
• Thats a good idea! i havent really used Ventrilo like that before but i tried it! awesome! thanks!!! - mel25tlw Jan 24, 2010
• can anyone else explain vent better in a nutshell? Turns out it's harder than i thought lol - Jessicasa Jan 24, 2010
View 1 more commments >>

Answer 5

I have Skype to talk to my Grandma. The connection isn't always the best, sometimes she "freezes" up. But, I think it sounds like a good idea. A problem would be with the time zone differences of everyone on here, but that's something that can be overcome.

I think it sounds like a great idea!

Answer 6

I used Skype only once when I was visiting a friend in NY who is engaged to a girl in Mexico. (They talk daily while she is getting her papers in order.) It was okay. There was an obvious delay that took some getting used to, but you can get that talking on cell phones too.

I have used google video chat quite a few times, and in terms of quality it was about the same; great for a free service.

Answer 7

I am starting my master's degree in three weeks and the entire class will be using Skype during the time between class periods each month. I am very interested in practicing my Spanish listening and speaking skills and think this would be a great idea.

Answer 8

I love Skype and have used it frequently over the past six years. I use it to keep in contact with family, friends, and my husband (when we were dating and living far apart) both using just the calling feature and using the webcam. Also, I liked that you could register for a local phone number of a particular place and pay a small fee to maintain that number so that people can call you "locally" without you being local.

You can also do conference calls with many people, so I think it would be a great idea to use Skype for practice on SpanishDict!

Answer 9

I have had Skype since when everything about it was totally free. (Including calling land lines, cell phones, etc. worldwide) I still have it, but rarely use it.

Answer 10

I use Skype while I'm away at university. It works, but there seems to be a lag between when I say something and when they hear it on the other end (and we aren't even that far apart). There is also a sound problem, but it's probably my computer.

MSN is better if you just want to talk.

• With msn you can't video/audio chat with several people at once. - Valerie Jan 23, 2010

Answer 11

I have it. I've only talked to one other person with it but we've talked several times, the quality is excellent, and in my case the lag that others have mentioned hasn't been an issue. (And my friend is on another continent.)

Answer 12

I used Skype for about 2 years. I only use it to call my family overseas. I like it because I can contact them easily for a very cheap price.

Answer 13

I have used Skype for a few years. Mostly as an IM, but on occasion to speak with people in other countries (skype to skype). there is always a potiental for lag, espceially when internet speeds are less than ideal. I have also used it to call home when traveling overseas, in my cases it has been a cheaper to call home.

Answer 14

I've got it but never used it. I think I'd be interested in doing a teleconference...if such can be coordinated.

Answer 15

What is the main difference between skype and msn???? I have both and to me they do the same thing!! You can talk on both and type on both!! Is there anything else that i have missed???

• msn won't allow video/audio chat with 3 or more people at once. - Valerie Jan 23, 2010