Have You Tried Skype?

Skype is a free Internet phone service -- and it really works! Just download the software, sign up for your account, then call anyone else with a Skype account, all free.

I tried it and was very surprised at how well it works. It works just like a telephone but you make the calls via the computer software. I called some friends in Maine and, since they have a built-in camera on their laptop, I could even see them while we talked! There were only two problems. First, the calls are transferred via satellite, so there's a delay (just like when you see the newspeople on TV talking to the astronauts). Second, the connection isn't always perfect; sometimes there is static or dead air, just like some cell phone providers. Overall, though, I am impressed with this free service and will continue to use it to talk to my friends in Maine.

BTW, you can even use Skype to call a regular phone, but you have to pay for that. If you've tried Skype, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think.