I miss talking to my friends and family.

I've asked most of you to download Skype already, but here's a friendly reminder. download Skype

Skype is an extremely easy program to use to call all your Skype-savvy friends anywhere in the world for FREE. That means that you can call me when I'm in London or Antarctica or Timbuktu or San Diego. Did I mention that this was free?

Here's how it works: download Skype and add me to your contacts list. Then, when we are both online, you can call me or I can call you and we talk over the internet. If you have a webcam, we can even see each other live. I've found that the connections are pretty good, particularly for international calling. The sound quality has been better than the international cell phones and calling cards that I have used in the past. (The webcam pictures can be slow sometimes, though.) Oh yeah, and it is free; which is way better than the $50 a minute I accidentally paid from Copenhagen to call home once. That was brutal.

On top of your computer and an internet connection, you need a microphone and speakers. So, if you don't have that built in, buy a headset or a webcam. You don't need both to make Skype work. I have a Plantronics headset and a Philips webcam similar to the ones sold by Skype -- but they were more expensive through the stores -- and I like them both. You really don't have to spend a fortune to get good equipment.
Skype Store USA
Skype Store Europe

Skype also has some other fun and interesting features including voicemail, mobile phones, call forwarding to your phone or calling other people's phones from your computer. These options allow you to get away from your phone or your computer, depending on your goal. I am only beginning to experiment with how well these work, so I have no opinion yet. I will update you when I do. In the meantime, if you would like some information on these services, click here. www.skype.com

Have I nagged you enough? Sign up for Skype now so I can stop nagging you and we can start talking again. That means you, Liz. download Skype

Lots of love!