This week's assignment is to post a review of a couple of Web 2.0 tools that I use. I have several that I use on a regular basis, so will pick two that are very handy and that I use often.
I've had the "opportunity" to spend a little over 70% of the past year in some remote locations abroad. The first tool that I became dependent on was Skype (http://www.skype.com/). Skype is an IP telephony tool that is free to use when making calls from computer to computer. I was able to call my wife and spend several hours a day, video conferencing with her while I was away. Skype provided very good quality calls, even from half way around the world. Lately, the quality of the calls has gotten to the point of being almost unusable. I'm not sure if this is a problem with their servers, the amount of traffic on the Internet, or some other reason, but it does cause problems.
The second tool that I use on a regular basis is Yahoo Messenger (http://messenger.yahoo.com/). YM is an instant messaging tool that also provides an easy interface to make voice and video calls. YM is free (I like free tools) and has saved a lot of money in telephone calls, since the decline in Skype quality.
-steve
edcs855 said...
I am for free and Open Source tools too. A potential dilemma is rising with the Internet population desiring more free tools like Skype to deliver quality phone service, what segment of the population will pay for the telecommunication facilities (i.e., satellites, central switching equipment, microwave facilities, land lines, etc.)?
August 8, 2008 at 8:44 PM