So what would some of you suggest for those of us who just want simple, easy, and effective voice programs if we wanted to switch from Skype?

In terms of alternatives to Skype, Google Talk is really the only easy option out there. It doesn't have nearly the same userbase as Skype, however, so making free calls might be a bit more difficult.

Google Voice directly ties into Google Talk like pretty much all of their services. In fact, I remember reading that you can receive calls from (and through some hack, make calls with) your google voice number using your Google Talk account in Pidgin. The two services are highly integrated (rather than integrating Google Voice into Gmail by itself, it integrated Google Voice through GTalk in Gmail )

Edit: here it is (last item): http://lifehacker.com/5801829/from-the-tips-box-twitter-for-mac-https-shortcuts-and-multiple-chrome-windows/


Definitely Google Talk

Well sorry, some of us hardly ever use Skype. And maybe while he is there he can stop other unneccessary programs from opening up.

On my mac, I have a force quit option, and it closes right up. though using force quit is not recommended a lot. So I just got rid of skype. I had four friends on there... All of which were my family.... :sadvaultboy:

It's pretty much the same thing if the intent is making a PC call. They both utilize the same contact list (well, the browser based one at least) but using Talk doesn't necessitate the annoying ring-you method when you make a call. It's only useful for those who have devices Voice forwards to.

Answering the OP, no issues with closing Skype here. I'm getting a bit confused tho about what I'm reading in the discussion which almost sounds like Skype uses a ton of bandwidth even if idle and not chatting?

Huh. Cool.

True. I didn't mean to sound so snarky, I apologize. It was just, to me, an odd and complicated way of going about something that the program already supports.

Right. Very neat. I will have to look into it. I do have a GV number, but I've never used it.

It's not really that complicated, but then again this is the guy who accidentally installed Skype in Arabic and couldn't figure out how to change it :facepalm:

Google doesn't yet have Voice in Canada (don't allow a GV creation from within Canada but can use an already-existing one here), but before I moved here, I ported my AT&T cell number to Voice, then forwarded it to a US Magic Jack # which also forwards to a Canadian # so family/friends in the U.S. can indirectly call my Canadian phone without the extra costs. I also sometimes get bored using the phone and just pop on the headset and use the browser GT (within Gmail) which uses my ported AT&T GV # and Google contact list. Also text people in the states and Canada with my Gmail (for free) using either the browser Gmail or using an e-mail client. It's a pretty nifty service. I have a friend back in California who's Canadian, he and his wife are moving back to Canada at the end of next year, and he will go through the same porting thing + use in Canada that I did.