Ask A Geek

Q: What are the base Skype rates and what are the Skype rates when calling a toll free number to use a calling card?

A: Skype rates are a little complicated to grasp quickly although not that much different from a calling card. Skype wants you to think the rates are very easy to understand by giving you a very simple and easy to read global rate page but they are not. The first issue is the connection fee, that at best is difficult to grasp at first. As of this writing, if you are setup to use the USD and you are calling to a global rate country then your connection fee is $0.039 but if you are calling to a non global rate country then the connection fee is $0.079. Read the rest of this entry »

Q: I am using Skype and I happen to have a Verizon phone card. Can you use this phone card with Skype?

Q: I have had a Toshiba Satellite L505-S6959 for 2 months now. I recently downloaded Skype and installed it. Shortly after I noticed my laptop speakers did not work. I plugged in my headphones and got sound. I tried all my settings, drivers, restarting, uninstalling Skype completely and even doing 5 system restores (all of which failed). What’s wrong with my speakers?

Q: I need to communicate with video and audio via skype on a regular basis. I have a Dell Inspiron laptop that I use on a daily basis. Still, I consider myself not to be very electronic-savy. Therefore, I would like a webcam that is easy to use, with a built-in microphone and camera. What are your suggestions?

Q: I have just purchased a Phillips VOIP433 phone. To make it work with Skype do I have to install Windows Messenger disc?