www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Just my 2C, but I just downloaded Skype on my MacBook, and used it on my monthlong monger to Asia. It was a life-saver. It actually outperformed my Global Blackberry as far as 100% functionality and ease.

I even took along aheadset and never broke it out. The tiny speaker and mic were enough to be crystal clear.

I conducted business every day and kept in touch.

If you don't have skype, get it.

And I have no idea what you guys mean by "scripts". I don't know what that is, but I didn't have to use any.

Archie

Archieleach wrote:


And thank God that you never will. If you check back to the original post you'll see (no pun intended) that El Ciego wrote:



If you are still confused, translate "El Ciego".

I would say "There, but for the grace of God, go I" but I'm a miserable sinner and if I were to actually pray, I'm afraid a church would crumble and fall somewhere.

A tip of my cap to El Ciego.

A nod is as good as a

_________________
"Your love gives me such a thrill
but your love don't pay my bills,
I NEED THE MONEY!" - John Lee Hooker

Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978

Just got off the phone with El C. Good news is that Skype was working great, bad news is that the magic smoke leaked out of his laptop so he is 'puterless for at least a few weeks.

Hope to see him posting again soon.

_________________
"Your love gives me such a thrill
but your love don't pay my bills,
I NEED THE MONEY!" - John Lee Hooker

Disclaimer: The above is merely the opinion of the author unless specific scientific data is included.
Your mileage may vary. https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewto ... 978#206978

Skype is a complex beast. Here are some tricks I use right now:

I have a skype # in the united states (think 334-xxx-xxxx). It's a regular telephone number (again, with the 334 area code), but it's setup within Skype. Meaning, if I'm on the computer and logged into the skype account I use, people who call that phone number will get me using skype on the computer with headset and phone.

Question: What if I'm not online?

Answer: Skype has a forward function. For the price of skype-out minutes (the minutes you, a skype user, can purchase to dial out to anyone in the world using skype), you can forward incoming calls to any location, destination, phone number, etc.

Example:

I'm going to be away from my computer. Here's what I do to setup roaming:

(1) I give people my skype (334-xxx-xxxx) number.
(2) I log into my computer before I leave or go 'roaming'.
(3) On the skype account, I use the FORWARD function in the skype control panel (in the application itself on your desktop) and forward any incoming calls to another phone number.
(4) I set the forward function to forward ALL calls to my mobile number.
(5) I close, log out, and exit skype.
(6) I roam.
(7) People call my skype number (334-xxx-xxxx)
(8) It transfers/forwards to my cell phone.
(9) Although I don't often get the caller ID to work, I know it works and I answer calls.

Cost? .05 a minute (or whatever the US calling rate is). Add that to my cell charge (.25/minute) and I have instant roaming.

Benefits:

(1) People don't have to know my mobile phone number.
(2) I can configure multiple/different numbers.

The Uber-Cool Hack for this:

Instead of using step #4 to forward them to my cell number, why not forward them to a number in Costa Rica that I want to call? In effect, have the phone forward all incoming calls to a Costa Rican number.

Real cheap way to call the novia from the states.

Here's how that works:

Instead of forwarding to my cell phone, forward to favorita's number.
Call my skype number (from my cell phone).
Yes, I'm in the States, using my cell phone in the states, call my skype number in the states.
Yes, it's using cell minutes (.25/min).
Yes, skype forwards my incoming cell call to the Costa Rican phone.
I pay .08/minute for that call on the skype side.
Savings: ~$1.00 per minute, or more. Do the math.

Caveats:

You may need to purchase more skype numbers. I purchased two (under two separate accounts, I'll explain why if anyone is curious).
My 334-xxx-xxxx number always forwards to my cell or any other number.
My 209-xxx-xxxx number I know alone, and no one else. I forward it to whomever, whenever I need to.


I'm sure this is more than confusing. I'll be happy to respond to questions in a PM, however, to avoid hijacking El Ciggy's thread.


ZBW

Thanks, I'll try this out on my next trip.

_________________
"You can only keep a secret between two people if the other one is dead." Ben Franklin

Some of you mentioned success with a Skype wi-fi phone. A couple of related questions:

-Apparently these phones will only work with an unsecured wireless network that doesn not requiring logging in to first with a computer, as many free wireless access hotels require here in the US. Does anyone know if the Presidente wireless signal is such that you can pick it up without first logging in? How about at SL? DR?

-Is the signal strong enough at these locations to support a decent wifi phone connection without cutting out every few seconds?

Trying to find a good alternative to using cellular for calls back to the US that come back with no caller ID.

Was thinking Net2Phone might be an option, but no plan for CR (or most LA countries apparently).

At least in my case Skype doesn't seem to use a caller ID system. When calling home the numbers appearing were 000-000-0000 or 123-456-7890.

_________________
"You can only keep a secret between two people if the other one is dead." Ben Franklin

Wdeville wrote:



I've used mine with no login or signal problems at Airport Clubs, Hotel Presidente, Hotel Morazon, and Zona Blue.

Thanks for the intel Senordos.

So do see a Skype WiFi phone as a viable option for calling the US with decent sound quality?

Which phone did you go with - I understand SMC, Netgear, and Belkin all make one...not sure what, if any, differences there are between them.

Mine is a netgear, my wingman's was different, I think Belkin, they appeared very similar. It's a great option for calling the US if cost is a factor. If convenience is more important, you can use many regular US mobile phones. They work everywhere in San Jose but at a much higher cost per minute.

any roaming costs on that or is just same per minutee costs?

Everything you ever wanted to know about Skype.

http://www.mediafire.com/?11bymolmmmy

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The most dangerous adversaries are the ones that come with a smile instead of a sword

Found a new device from Nokia that provides everything I need (hopefully) for a CR trip without the need to lug the laptop. The new N810 Internet tablet is a small PDA sized device with the following features:

Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
Built in skype software (call US via wifi connection for 2.6 cents/min)
Rapsody music player provides easy downloads of Chica friendly music - salsa, reggaeton, etc. via subscription (free 30 day trial)
Slide out keyboard makes composing texting, IM, and email easy
built in GPS receiver and webcam
Great browser and nice color screen

A little pricey, but for the gadget geek, this looks like it could be the perfect little toy for keeping in touch while in CR.

I'll report back on how it all works out after my trip.