Skype Replacement

[the_real_mike]

Now that Skype is effectively unusable due to the contact request spam problem - is there any alternative that works as well and is available outside the US?

[thefu]

Now that Skype is effectively unusable due to the contact request spam problem - is there any alternative that works as well and is available outside the US?

Sure. In skype, turn off contacts from people not in your address book. (my recommendation)

Or you can try gtalk or pay a VoIP-SIP provider $15-$30/month or get a "magicjak" spyware device.

I've used VoIP for 8 years and was never truly happy with it. Around here, even my 32/8mbps connections drop voip packets. Skype is the best, cheap answer for now. For me, I need a computer-independent solution, one where a computer doesn't have to one for the phones around the house to work.

[the_real_mike]

Sure. In skype, turn off contacts from people not in your address book. (my recommendation)

Or you can try gtalk or pay a VoIP-SIP provider $15-$30/month or get a "magicjak" spyware device.

I've used VoIP for 8 years and was never truly happy with it. Around here, even my 32/8mbps connections drop voip packets. Skype is the best, cheap answer for now. For me, I need a computer-independent solution, one where a computer doesn't have to one for the phones around the house to work.

I don't think you understand the recent problem with the introduction of version 4 - the problem is "add to contacts request" spam. Even with all the settings it is still very intrusive. Think 10-20 messages per day from spammers asking to share details. Skype is no longer usable in a business environment, or one where there may be minors as the requests come with text. Hence, after many years using Skype I am looking for an alternative.

[tokenuser]

I don't think you understand the recent problem with the introduction of version 4 - the problem is "add to contacts request" spam. Even with all the settings it is still very intrusive. Think 10-20 messages per day from spammers asking to share details. Skype is no longer usable in a business environment, or one where there may be minors as the requests come with text. Hence, after many years using Skype I am looking for an alternative.We use Skype to talk to a number of our foreign suppliers. Unfortunately, we have been reduced to using a combination of IM ("Hey, I'd like to talk to you about x" ... "Cool, give me a minute to activate Skype.") and Skype.

Y! IM apparently has a voice chat feature ... but it not something I have used.

The Skype spam requests are ridiculous.

[daikun]

Can Google Voice count as a Skype replacement?

[trunolimit]

Pots Ftw

[darknessgp]

Can Google Voice count as a Skype replacement?

1) It's not a VoIP service. So, still need a phone number, and we're still not sure what he was using Skype for. I'm guessing more than just making free/cheap international calls?
2) It's not available outside the US yet, I don't think

[ArmpitOfDeath]

I don't get any Skype Spam.

[rottnkorpse]

I don't get any Skype request spam...I may get random requests for details like you said but not as far as to be spam...maybe once a month.

However, I don't use Skype in the normal way and maybe that is why I don't get hardly any as I dont use it constantly well I do have it constantly but also I don't. :) I know that doesnt make sense but I'll explain.

I use the SkypeIn and SkypeOut services which is about $60 per year...yes, YEAR. The rates are already very low even internationally but the package stuff is so freakin' cheap its kind of crazy.

Anyway, the old packages used to charge you to forward calls to your cell or whatever phone you want...BUT as of the beginning of this year they changed that and included it into the SkypeIn package. So if you have a SkypeIn number or someone tries to Skype you on your username and you aren't online or simply don't answer it will forward to a phone of your choosing.

I use that so I have constant Skype availability without even having Skype open. I suppose I could have Skype open for IM chats but thats what Meebo is for and I don't think anyone with Skype would prefer to type rather than talk so to me it would be pointless for me to have it running.

So with that kind of setup you can have Skype services at all times without having it open which would completely cutoff any kind of request spam. (which is what I essentially do/have)