OT: Wengo/Skype/Gizmo/etc ... why?

[O. Sinclair]

Paul Lemmons wrote:
> For those of you that use the SIP or Skype services this may be a stupid 
> question. But why? Using any number of instant messaging clients I can 
> talk to another person using that same client.
> 
> I am about to send my daughter overseas for a semester (Oxford) and she 
> is accustomed to many of the usual IM clients. I am wrestling with what 
> the best solution will be. She uses Windows XP and I use Kubuntu so it 
> will need to be cross platform. Do I use an IM client or have her go 
> through the learning curve of putting on Skype/SIP?
> 
> I am absolutely sure I am missing some glaring difference between the 
> two services. Clearly I have never used either to any significant extent 
> so if this is a *really* stupid question please be kind :)
The difference I would say is that with Skype, Wengo etc you can make 
voice calls from your PC to a phonenumber, normally at a much lower rate 
  in at least international calls. Yahoo, MSN etc you can make voice and 
video connections computer-computer but not (yet) on to phone networks.

If I were you I would look at Gyachi (Yahoo Linux) that is said to 
support both voice and webcamera or AMSN (MSN Linux) that states to 
support webcam. Check internet for their homepages to find out what they 
can do and which one you might like better.

Sinclair