In theory, Skype is a great idea:  you can download some free software that will enable you to use a computer with internet access to make free telephone calls almost anywhere in the world.

Every so often, I've noticed that some of my fellow techies include a "Skype name" in their contact information, but I've consciously avoided any investigation of what that might mean.* 

However, the zeitgeist sometimes impels me to experiment with a technology tool that doesn't particularly appeal to me, and apparently it's Skype's turn.

The other day, I received an email message from Ted Hart of the ePhilanthropy Foundation:


From:  Ted Hart
To:  Deborah Elizabeth Finn
Subject:  Ted Hart wants to talk with you on Skype

Hello. 

Download Skype and start calling for free all over the world..

Skype me at (Ted Hart's Skype name)

Hmm, sounds kind of urgent, I thought.  So I called his landline and left a message, explaining that I didn't use Skype but was happy to call him on my dime. 

Very soon thereafter, he called me on my mobile phone, and explained that there was nothing urgent, but that that was the only canned message that Skype allows its users to send out to prospective fellow users. (Score one against Skype for that.)  Meanwhile, since we were already on the phone,we chatted a while, and Ted spoke so enthusiatically about Skype that I recognized that the zeitgeist was calling, and downloaded the application during our conversation.

That part was easy, but it soon became clear that my laptop would need a headset with receivers and a microphone.

I checked the FAQ, and found this:
"What kind of headset should I use?"

"You need a computer headset, not a telephone headset. A computer headset has two separate connectors one for the microphone, and one for the speaker (some newer headsets connect via USB, these are typically a bit more expensive but in general quite good). Also make sure that the headset has a microphone. You can also buy a handset, just as long as it has two connectors so that it can be plugged into your computer. You should not need to pay more than 10-15 USD/Eur for it."

So I marched down to a local chain store, and announced that I needed "a computer headset, not a telephone headset."  They sold me one that they thought might work (AT&T Executive Headset EH530), but its 2.5mm plug doesn't fit into the port on my laptop. Fortunately, it's returnable.

My next move has been to query the members of the Information Systems Forum for headset recomendations, and for wider reflections about whether setting up Skype  will be worth the trouble.

I'll be updating this as I push on in the project; please feel free to post comments about your own experiences with Skype.

* Why is that?  Well, there are a few reasons:
I don't really love talking on the telephone.  As I've previously mentioned, I'm not really a strong auditory learner, and therefore talking to people I don't know well without the benefit of non-verbal cues is not my favorite form of communication.

I don't really love to hear sounds coming out of my computer.  I'm one of those people who sets the audio on "mute" so that I can work in peace and quiet.  This is probably just a side effect of being more oriented to visual and kinesthetic learning styles.
I've had the vague notion (which has turned out to be correct) that the free version of Skype only works when one is calling other Skype users, but not when one is making conventional telephone calls.