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Thread ID: 78799 2007-04-29 01:19:00 Skype recommendations snoopy (74) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
545104 2007-04-29 01:19:00 The mother-in-law wants to get a Skype phone & webcam to use to communicate with the brother-in-law & grandkids in the Shetlands.

Any recommendations, hooks to avoid, etc.

She has XP Home, 256 Broadband

Cheers,
Snoop
snoopy (74)
545105 2007-04-29 01:27:00 Well the calls will be cheap.
I haven't heard anyone having any issues with it. I have it on my iMac but haven't actually set up a user account yet. With the video calling it could chew through her bandwidth allowance if she is not careful (depending on how often she does the video calling)
As long as she has a good firewall in place- for potential Skype security issues she should be ok.
winmacguy (3367)
545106 2007-04-29 03:42:00 computerworld.co.nz


Although he says he doesn't mind his computer being used as a Skype supernode from time to time, Bond says he has noted a serious problem when this happens. According to Bond, when his computer goes into supernode mode, Skype opens up a great number of network connections over TCP (Transmission Control Protocol, part of the Internet Protocol suite). In a posting on the Skype user forum bulletin board, Bond describes how his Linksys router was overwhelmed by over 1,500 TCP connections being opened in supernode mode.


Each Skype client is always connected to a SuperNode (any Skype client can become a SuperNode, the SuperNode is acting as a hub). SuperNodes are always on routable open IP addresses. When a call is set up the established TCP connection with the SuperNode is used to signal that a call is coming.

A friend rang me last week for help trying to find out why her friends internet connection had ground to a halt. There were a whole heap of open connections.

3 guesses what it was.................
pctek (84)
545107 2007-04-29 04:40:00 VoIPStunt might be worth looking into :) Chilling_Silence (9)
545108 2007-04-29 04:43:00 I have no idea about the qualities, but how about the notion of using ordinary Windows Live Messenger instead of Skype to communicate visually and verbally?

Just wondering, is it possible for a user to individually block TCP ports that are being used by Skype for supernode-ing purpose, provided you somehow know which port you are using to communicate with your mate?

Cheers :)
Renmoo (66)
545109 2007-04-29 04:51:00 I have no idea about the qualities, but how about the notion of using ordinary Windows Live Messenger instead of Skype to communicate visually and verbally?

Or Yahoo messenger or for just voice Gtalk www.google.com
stu161204 (123)
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