Written By: Kevin Chisholm- American Guitarist - www.american-guitarist.com

Skype can be a very useful and cost saving communications tool. This is a service that allows you to make inexpensive phone calls across the Internet. It has become quite popular, so you will find that most Internet cafes have Skype software on their PCs. Two limitations of using Skype are that you are bound by the availability of local Internet cafes. And, since you are most likely paying for this Internet access by the minute or hour, that cost must be factored into your bottom line. But in general, using Skype while on the road is very likely much less expensive than using your cell phone. Locally purchased calling cards can be useful. But, they are often not cheap. And, when you use them at a pay phone, there is usually a surcharge that eats into the time you have paid for.

The advantages of Skype are:  

• You can limit your cell phone use to only emergency calls.
• Make long distance calls for substantially less than you would with a cell phone or a pay phone.
• If the recipient of the call uses Skype as well, the call will be free, and free is a good thing.
• Your can send SMS (text) messages from Skype as well.
• Considering that you are likely roaming while on the road, it will probably be less expensive to send text messages from Skype.
• Your Skype contacts will appear whenever you log in at any PC. This minimizes the need to carry an address book.
• Considering that you are likely roaming while on the road, it will probably be less expensive to send text messages from Skype.
• Your Skype contacts will appear whenever you log in at any PC. This minimizes the need to carry an address book.

Consider Skype as one of your communications options while out on the road. You don’t have to use it. But membership is free, and the rates are generally pretty competitive. So you lose nothing by having that as an option. Go to www.skype.com in order to learn more.

Written By: Kevin Chisholm- American Guitarist - www.american-guitarist.com