Skype 3.2.0.163 Free
Version 3 is easier to use, has more powerful and personal interface, and connects with the world on Skype Public Chats. Version 3.2.0.152 changes the call-forwarding setup banner, updates the Extras Manager, and fixes an install error.
Update: - Skype 3.5.0.202 Freeware
What is Skype? Skype is software that enables you to make free calls anywhere in the world. Skype uses innovative P2P (peer-to-peer) technology to connect you with other users. It offers several features, including SkypeOut calling from Skype to regular and mobile phones worldwide, conference calling, and secure file transferring. Skype calls have better sound quality than your regular phone and are highly secure, with end-to-end encryption. Just like instant messengers, you can also use Skype to chat and not just with one other person at a time, but with up to 100 people in a group chat. If it’s a really nice group chat, you can bookmark it and find it later, which is handy for persistent chats with family or business contacts.
Functionality still varies depending on your Internet connection and what else you're doing with it while using Skype, but they are making some efforts to improve that. When you finish a Skype call, a Web page opens and asks you about the conversation's sound quality. The clean layout combines familiar chatware functions with a dialing interface, so that calling a phone is as simple as entering the desired number and hitting the dial button.
Improvements include conference calling with as many as nine people, video calling, and a browser plug-in that turns phone numbers on Web pages into links that automatically dial via Skype when clicked. There are also Skypecasts, throwbacks to the party-line multiperson telephone conversations from the mid-20th century.
Overall, we think Skype is a strong contender in the Internet Telephony category, and anyone who's interested in talking for free should give it a try. For international callers who have computers, this program is a no-brainer solution for long-distance bills.
Skype is well regarded for offering stable, free VOIP to other Skype users and affordable calling from a PC to a phone, be it a landline or a cell phone. The most recent upgrade makes getting in touch with friends and family--and even complete strangers--much, much easier.
License:FREE to download
Requirements: Windows 2000/XP
File Size: 22.5 MB