asus eee & skype

There is a Linux version of Skype available for download from it's website. With Skype you can make free computer to computer calls, and dirt cheap computer to land-line/mobile calls for less than .05 cents a minute. Your laptop will need a sound card that allows a microphone connection, and a seperate jack for the earphone. On Skype website you can also purchase fancy headsets which will connect via the USB jack if you wish. Skype is compatible with any type of internet connection:wifi, or LAN. For more details head over to www.skype.com

I just got the new ASUS EEE as well but the XP version. I tether my cellphone to the EEE and use it as a broadband modem. Verizon told me I could only do that in Windows and not Linux.

I'm not sure if any of VZ's cards are compatible with Linux. However, the EEE allows you to load Microsoft XP onto it along side Linux.

The air card has no affect on Skype.

Skype is a phone/IM service but you need to be connected to the internet to use it. You don't plug in headsets into the USB port, the EEE has separate microphone and headphone plugs. (Mine are on the left side.) You can use Skype to talk to people on other computers for free but their is a charge to call phones.

Thanks you guys - I did not know the eee had an xp version. How do you "tether" a cellphone to the computer? I thought that was sort of what the air card was? What's a sound card? Does the eee allow one to be connected? (As you can tell I am not a technology whiz!) Thanks again!

Maureen,

Skype is a great program and is a life saver for folks living overseas. We stay in touch with our families and friends using Skype. We bought each of our children and immediate family members "webcams" so we can see them and have video conferencing.

You can get more info - and they spell it out in easy-to-understand language - at www.skype.com

If you have Vonage service in the states you can also bring your Vonage router and phone with you, hook it up to your computer - or any high speed computer - and call the States (and other countries in Europe) for free. We have a Vonage number we brought from Atlanta. Our family and friends call us often (and vice versa) for free. Since I'm a 3 year "member" I pay only $14.95 + taxes each month for this product. Biggest issue is them remembering that we're 6 hours ahead - Those 3 AM calls are murder!!!

But it sounds like Skype is your best bet - and there are many ways to use Skpye. Computer to Computer it's free. I used Skype Pro and was charged about .02 a minute to call Italy "land lines" before I moved over. Calling Oveseas Cell phones cost me about .30 a minute. Still a bargain compared to using a cell phone to call abroad!

So go to www.skype.com and get it set up before you come over. You can practice now and reconnect with lots of folks! Good luck!

Ciao,
Ron

For those that are looking for an ultra-portable Laptop, HP has just introduced models that are about the same size as the EEE PC. The HP models are equipped with 120GB HD, so have the room to download photos as well.

Some cellphones--mostly those that have data involved--come with USB cables to connect to your computer to backup information. I have a Treo that does this and so do most Blackberries. When the phone is connected to the computer it is considered tethered. There is no extra charge to use the cellphone as a modem since I'm paying for an over the air data plan for the Treo.

For people that don't have cellphones that can do this, air cards are offered that do the same thing. Only they don't work with Linux.

A sound card is an internal device that basically lets the speakers work so you can hear things through the internet. The EEE has it and should also have pre-installed Skype.

Which model EEE do you have? The 700 or the 900? If you haven't had it long, see if you can exchange it for an XP version. If not, find a techie who will install XP onto your EEE and show you how to switch between the two operating systems. With XP, your air card will work. (Although it won't work it Europe. Verizon Air Cards only work in North America.)

Some models also have ethernet which means you can plug your EEE into a "wired" high speed internet found in some hotel rooms and homes.

The reason I bought the EEE over the HP is simple...I didn't want the dreaded Vista.....

Frank - You are a tremendous help- thanks so much!

Frank, from what I could see on the HP website, buyers are allowed the option to "downgrade" to XP Professional if they don't want Vista. Unfortunately, most PC manufacturers have jumped on the Vista bandwagon, so not sure how much longer this option will be available.

I use a Mac so none of this is an issue (however, I have to use PC's at work, so I'm familiar with both systems).

Cheers!

Maureen- we also just bought an Asus eee pc for the same reason as you. We bought the Linux version as well because we didn't feel the need to pay 100 dollars more. Linux is easy enough to use. It may be worth it to upgrade if you can use your aircard, but make sure you get one that will work in Europe. You should be able to use wifi at places that offer it.

The computer comes with Skype installed. Just look for the icon. I forget which tab it is on- maybe the internet one. We also just signed up for Skype. We signed up for the global plan, which is 9 dollars a month. That gives you unlimited calls to landlines/mobile phones. Or you can just purchase credit and pay as you go. You can also sign up for a phone number in which people on landlines can call you. That costs extra. Voicemail is included with a monthly subscription or if you purchase credit.

The Asus eee has microphone already installed, but we purchased a headset with microphone (10-20 dollars at Target) which makes the sound quality much clearer. It still works well without, though.

Kristy - That is a huge help - thanks so much. I feel like such a dummy with these tech things- it is very frustrating!

The eee is a great little device. The Linux version already has Skype installed. The Linux version comes with (or at least used to) a DVD that contains all the necessary drivers for WinXP. You just need an USB DVD Drive and a copy of WinXP.

For the best tips, go to www.eeeuser.com and check the Wiki and forums. The Wiki has documented "how-to" guides for doing much of what you want.

Many people have the Linux variant working with their USB aircards from Sprint, Verizon and AT&T - note that the first two won't work overseas and AT&T, if the card will work at all, will cost a fortune in data roaming.

Thanks Erik - Do you know if you can attach a Blackberry to the ASUS & therefore use the Skype in places where there is no wi-fi (like B&B's)? Thanks!

I have the EEE as well. I have the Windows version because my carrier, Verizon, said they didn't support "tethering" for Linux.

I use my Treo (same as a Blackberry) often with ASUS when away from wifi. It works fine. You may need to download the software for it but that can be found on your carrier's website.

Be advised, at least in verizon's case, tethering will not work in Europe.

Also be advised if you are on a Canadian provider, and have an 'unlimited web browsing' plan (mine is on Telus) this does not cover tethering and I think the rate if you were to use it is around $12MB. I know the US is a lot more 'liberal' with their wireless data plans so this might not be a problem down there but every so often we hear on the news of someone unknowingly tethering with Telus or Rogers and getting charged $20,000+ for data use.

So, to finish off the my last post. Read your contract before you tether!

I have unlimited tethering in the U.S. I just emailed my carrier to find out about tethering in Europe. Things change so fast in this industry, it's hard to keep up.

Do they call it "tethering" because you can strangle yourself with it (financially speaking, of course?)

Only you guys get strangled with it, we call it tethering because it's like a safety cord between us and the carrier...for one low price, they'll take care of our needs for the entire month.

I just got a Blackberry with AT&T - does anyone know about their tethering policy? I know their global plan is 99c per minute - I was hoping to use it with Skype for 2c per minute. Thanks.