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Skype currently has over 560 million registered users who rely on the popular program to stay in touch with friends and family.

But if you've been a long-time Skype user you are probably already aware of the fact that there are days when the program seems to acts up. Sometimes calls get dropped, and if there is too much background noise you can't hear what the other person is saying.

Whether you're sick and tired of relying on Skype, or you're simply looking around for other alternatives to the program, here are 13 alternative programs you could try using to stay in touch with your loved ones:

1. ComBOTS
ComBOTS is a program that will connect your PC or landline phone with others around the world for cheap or at no cost at all. You can call other mobile phone numbers from your PC or landline, and you can also use the chat feature which allows you to include audio and video as well.

2. iChat
iChat is a popular option for Mac users, but it also has an instant messaging application that will work with your AIM or MobileMe account as well. Not only does it have an instant messaging app, it also has support for audio, video and screen/application sharing, and you can also videoconference chat with three other users at the same time.

3. Gizmo Project
Gizmo allows you to make cheap or even free international calls, and you can use the Gizmo Call In and Call Out feature to call other phones for as little as 1.9 cents per minute. You can also record conversations, map where your caller or receiver is calling from, and much more.

Continue reading "Top 13 Skype Alternatives" »

Posted by Jonathan at 11:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hey Jonathan!
Is it still true that there is not a way to transfer your phone number to Skype?
So if currently, if you have the Skype account, you can't transfer your current phone number to it?
I'm working on finding a client a better/cheaper internet/phone service, but am not finding what I'm looking for.
Thanks for any help you can offer in this.

Bobbie
YourVirtualPartner.org

Continue reading "How do I transfer my phone number to Skype?" »

Posted by Jonathan at 05:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Are you feeling lost with the growing distance that has suddenly cropped up between you and your beloved as he or she is away from you for some professional or other travel purpose?

Well, there is no need to worry.

If you don't already know, advancements in the telecommunications industry have created some amazingly cheap ways for people to keep in touch while traveling, no matter where they are in the world. We talk a lot on CallingAdvice about Skype, but there are lots of people who are still using calling cards, which are still a much cheaper, more innovative, and easier way to keep in touch with those special souls you love, than just picking up the phone from wherever you are and dialing.

Calling cards (in case you've never used one) are a kind of telecommunications credit card. If you've never used one, you should know that they are used by people worldwide to pay for phone calls. However, there are many varieties of calling cards available. Some examples would be prepaid calling cards (for all kinds of calls), country-specific calling cards, bill-me-later calling cards, international calling cards, and so on.

Prepaid calling cards can be for any type of phone call (local, national, international), and they are basically cards where you pay a certain amount and you will get your long distance calls paid for in advance. The main advantage of prepaid calling cards is that they neither have any monthly payments nor any roaming-on-net charges.

Prepaid calling cards generally offer you the lowest calling rates and let you stay connected to your loved ones.

However you must note that calling cards can have a hidden agenda. As we've written before, with calling cards, there are a variety of additional fees associated.

Continue reading "Cheap Ways to Keep in Touch While Traveling" »

Posted by Jonathan at 09:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here are two great phone calling card tips that you would do well to pay attention to next time you go to buy a calling card.

Tip #1 Retail phone cards vs. virtual calling cards online
I live in Washington where there is a general sales tax of almost 9%. Many people that live on the border of Washington and Oregon know that by doing their shopping in Oregon (a state without a sales tax), they can save almost $9 on a $100 calling card. The point of this story is that you should not only compare the cheapest rates on the card, but also the cheapest place to buy the card. If you want to avoid sales tax. Buy your phone cards online from a virtual calling card provider like Pingo.com that offers great international rates. This will allow you to beat out those retail cards on the sales tax alone, not to mention the lower calling rates you often get from going through an online retailer vs. a "real-world" retailer (who makes a lot of their money in the markups they apply to the per-minute rounding rates on the card).

Tip #2 Walgreens and Wal-Mart International phone cards

Continue reading "Phone Cards: Calling Tips for Calling Card Buyers and Users" »

Posted by CallingAdvice Staff at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)