Skype Allows Users to Have Voice Mail Boxes

Users of Skype may have had some problems accessing the poplar VoIP network earlier this month but the service is back on its feet offering somewhat lower quality phone calls than the traditional dial up lines or even the newer cell phone connections allow. While VoIP may not be ready to replace the traditional technology used for voice communications, it does allow increased interaction between podcasters and their audiences.

Since podcasting is time-shifted and in many cases, pre-recorded, hosts of podcasts have not been able to interact in the way of hosts and callers the real time broadcasting available to broadcasters in traditional media have had. Skype's new voice messenging service may change that, allowing users to record questions and send them as question or commentary to the producers of podcasts they enjoy.

Voice mail boxes for the popular voice over Internet protocol service are not new, but in the past they were third party add ons that could be downloaded to run with the software in a manner similar to how add-ons to Firefox add extra protection or increased functionality of the browser.

Podcasting is nothing new and many talk radio shows also use the service (Rush Limbaugh provides this service only to people pay for access to the premium section of his website.) While podcasters will most likely not be able to introduce live interaction with the listeners and callers to their shows, they will be able to include the voice messages and their response as part of the shows they make available to the public.

Not only do Skype's voice mail boxes give podcasters the option of some interaciton with their listeners, several traditional talk shows have offered the service as a way of offering feedback and may put the "calls" on the air. For those willing to pay for the service, calls can also be made from Skype although similar services such as Vonage are cheaper and slightly more reliable.

For people who have not discovered Skype yet it is a great and cheap way to keep in touch with other users and friends who also use the service. Calls using the service made between two Skype users are completely free. 800 calls can be made without tying up your phone lines and if for some reason you really need to make a phone call from your PC, you can pay a small fee or a monthly fee to do so.

Sources:

"Skype Gives Podcasters More Listener Interaction." Craig Crossman Sunday, August 26, 2007. The Daily Item. Sunbury, PA.

Www.skype.com