Tip 185: Claim your free Skype call

I am a late adopter of Skype. By now, most people know that Skype allows you to make free phone calls using the internet if both the callers have installed the free skype software onto their computer.











But like many others, I did not install it on my company laptop. Nor my personal laptop as I avoid installing unnecessary applications on it. Also, wanted to avoid unnecessary calls that would pop up on my laptop when I am already spending too much time on many distractive online activities as complained by my wife. I have too public a profile that if it cost nothing to call me, recruiters from everywhere would call me without even going through my resume thoroughly. When making overseas calls or calls home, I would buy an international call card whereever I am. It can be a hassle when you suddenly want to make a call and has an expired card. Some places like London or Europe do not have 24 hour convenience stores. So you end up buying spare calling cards for emergencies. There are some call plans that allow topping up call credit using the credit card. Though the best local call rates are not offered, but instead more expensive call rates from the country the call card was registered previously. If I wanted to get the local rates, I would need to register using a local credit card which I would not have. Sorry, to bore you with all the technicalities.











Recently, I had to call someone while the person was on vacation and he mentioned that the line could be clearer through skype using the Internet than through his cellphone. So I installed skype. I did not expect it to be so hassle free, quick and the additional software did not add burden to my PC. The call was surprisingly clear as well.











Plus, the kiasu in me was delighted with the offer by skype of a free phone call to any non-skype users within 30 days of the software download. So I got a free 14 minute phone call to Malaysia to my mother's LAN line at Petaling Jaya. Skype me at philchlee if you know me, but please leave an introduction message and email address in case I could not identify you by your ID.











(Photos show more photos taken with Nikon D 700 at my first family outdoor portrait).