Skype ?

No need to call, which I think costs money, use a mic and cam, that I know is free!...I use skype all the time to talk to my wife...

 

I love it and even a Caveman could use it!

 

I've been using Skype for over five years all over N.A. and when I was working in Europe as well. I think anybody who isn't using it is missing the boat. It is very easy to set up and use (my 77-year-old father, who lives in Australia, learned how to use it a couple of years ago).

Computer-to-computer "calls" (both are Skype users) are free. I have a subscription which gives me unlimited calling to U.S. and Canadian landlines and cell phones for $2.50/month (although I am not sure if that exact package is available anymore). Their long-distance rates are also pretty good. In the U.S. (not Canada... thanks, CRTC ) you can get an online phone number that anyone can call and it will go to your Skype. That's pretty good if you have family and friends that don't have access to a computer, or if you're an O/O you can have a local business number that can reach you anywhere (Skype has voice mail available for when you are not).

In the early days connectivity was a frequent issue; echo, delay, occasional dropped calls, etc. Nowadays that is hardly ever an issue, even with wireless connections (obviously it has a lot to do with your Internet connection, which can be variable or occasionally overloaded, especially at truck stops in the early evening).

The only serious problem I ever had was when my account was hacked either directly or via a wireless connection. I am sure it was the connection. I was staying at the Ramada in SLC, just north of I-80 and west of the airport, while my truck was being repaired at Freightliner of Utah in West Valley. After making some calls, the next time I logged on, I noticed my credit (which I used for making international calls) was $0 (it had been about $4). I looked at the account history and saw a bunch of calls to Vietnam, which I didn't make. I did some checking and came to my conclusion based on the fact that the new hotel manager was also from Vietnam. I did file a complaint with Ramada, the police and Freightliner of Utah (it is one of their recommended hotels), but have not bothered following up (I'm not going to agonize over $4, and the purpose of the complaints was just so the information is on file for the next person that gets ripped off). Skype's customer service and contact for the same are severely lacking, so that was my only issue with them. I expect that if I had been using a wired-connection I would not have had any problem. User's of public wifi beware!

I changed my password and haven't had any issues since (the hacking occured in spring 2009).

 

Oh yeah, one more thing.

I also use a Skype add-on called Pamela Call Recorder which allows me to record my phone calls as mp3 files. I use the free version which allows me to record voice calls up to 15 minutes in length. It has proven... useful.
It was sort of ironic in that a company I was leased to, the owner's daughter (a major beeotch) who occasionally dispatched, was named Pamela.

 

I use skype video on my verizon phone with unlimited data, it works good except for the small screen

 

I will use Skype with video over 3G sometimes with my wife. I'm waiting for Skype to get an app working for video with phones.

 

they do, I have skype on my iphone 4 through Verizon and I can do skype video rolling down the road if I want. All 3G