Communication

[BCoop8184]

So I was wondering how everyone went about with keeping in touch with people back in the states, or other countries. I know most students get a local Grenadian cell phone, however, calling out of the country on that line must be expensive. As is having outsiders call internationally into that line. Do people use skype? Some other voip calling situation? Also, is internet connection in dorms on campus decent? Or will I have to take my laptop to another building and sit there on skype? Also, has anyone experimented with skype( or some other voip) on a cell phone? Thanks, any input would be helpful.

[domino9]

Most people use skype. Some use vonage. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Run a search for that information. Internet in the superdorms is good. There's no problem with that. However, I know people whose roommates have a problem with them being on skype for hours and hours.

[jrosenberg]

We used Vonage and it was great.

[RussianJoo]

I use skype it works great. as long as you're in your room with the door closed i don't see how anyone can complain if you're on the phone all day.

[tralfaz]

I use skype it works great. as long as you're in your room with the door closed i don't see how anyone can complain if you're on the phone all day.

I think they meant that, in a room shared by two people, one was using skype for extended periods of time.

As for me, skype and a webcam has been great in both gnd and svg. So much so that I gave up on my cell phone a while ago.

[BCoop8184]

Do you guys know by any chance how you connect to the wireless on campus? Do you need to use a VPN or simply find the wireless and click connect?

[RussianJoo]

on campus you simply find a wireless and click connect in your room you need an ethernet cable to connect there's no wireless connection in the rooms.( well some rooms that are located close to the study lounges will get wireless but you'll have a better connection if you use an ethernet cable.)

[Doc4Pets]

on campus you simply find a wireless and click connect in your room you need an ethernet cable to connect there's no wireless connection in the rooms.( well some rooms that are located close to the study lounges will get wireless but you'll have a better connection if you use an ethernet cable.)

I never knew that there is no wireless in the dorms. That seems like no-brainer for SGU suits to take care of. A low tech solution would be to put a couple of well placed routers in the building.

[emt036]

I never knew that there is no wireless in the dorms. That seems like no-brainer for SGU suits to take care of. A low tech solution would be to put a couple of well placed routers in the building.
Considering the fact that wireless router signals don't get more than a few rooms due to the concrete construction, it would be quite a few routers....

[RussianJoo]

yeah buildings here are built with cinder blocks and rebar.. it's tough to share a single within a suite when the router is right outside your door. Just bring a 3foot ethernet cable and you'll be all set.

[BCoop8184]

wifi signals def dont mix well with cinder blocks and rebar, thanks for the info everyone

[DrMakar]

did any of you guys or people that you know use skype/vonage cell phone.
And what about in the rooms.. those skype users did you guys buy a phone with the modem, I dont really know how this stuff works you get a modem.plug into the ethernet and then the phone connects to the modem

[Crispy]

I don't know about skype, but with vonage you get a linksys router that has 2 phone ports with your initial set-up with vonage. You just connect the router to the internet port with ethernet cable, plug-in your phone to the router and your computers to the router. If you want, there is a linksys wireless vonage router available (that is what I am using) so that you can connect your computer through wireless and not have to mess with an additional ethernet cable. Check out vonage website, it has a lot of info.

[DrMakar]

I don't know about skype, but with vonage you get a linksys router that has 2 phone ports with your initial set-up with vonage. You just connect the router to the internet port with ethernet cable, plug-in your phone to the router and your computers to the router. If you want, there is a linksys wireless vonage router available (that is what I am using) so that you can connect your computer through wireless and not have to mess with an additional ethernet cable. Check out vonage website, it has a lot of info.

why do you use vonage over skype. skype is a lot cheaper?

[RussianJoo]

skype is a computer based program you download it plug in a head set into your computer and dial away. that's what i do I think they just came out with the skype phone but i don't know anyone who uses it. Also i saw on a computer show they have internet cell phones, that connect to the wifi service and you can call anywhere for free as long as there's a wifi connection.

[DrMakar]

skype is a computer based program you download it plug in a head set into your computer and dial away. that's what i do I think they just came out with the skype phone but i don't know anyone who uses it. Also i saw on a computer show they have internet cell phones, that connect to the wifi service and you can call anywhere for free as long as there's a wifi connection.


yea skype sells them for like 150. you havent seen anyone on campus. I was thinking of getting one before I come down.

so russianjoe your happy with skype..no need to shell out 24 bucks a month for vonage.....also do you use skypeIn so people from home can call you..if you do how do you like it.

if theres anything i am worried about heading to SGU is not passing med school or not getting enough to eat but communicating with gf/parents back home

[Crispy]

why do you use vonage over skype. skype is a lot cheaper?

I never use skype. Where my parent's live there is only dial-up available, so vonage was the best bet and my husband can call me from his work with no problems since it is a local number. I pay $30 a month for unlimited calls to USA, Canada, and western Europe. My roommate and I actually split the bill. If you plan to live off campus and use vonage, get at least the 512 speed. It works with the 256 if you aren't downloading or surfing the internet. With 512 you can be downloading and surfing and the call is still crystal clear. Someone else will have to comment on Skype.

[angylii513]

Hey....I'm really lost about how to keep in contact with family and friends. I was thinking about skype, since I know quite a few people who have it here in the US. In regards to the skyp cell phones, is it easy to pick up internet connection so that people can callyou and you can call them?

How much of the campus is equipped with wireless internet? I'll be an incoming freshman, and I think i'll be living in the dorms so I'm not sure about the internet connection there.

[RussianJoo]

I use skype out for like 2cents a min i can call anyone in the world cell phone or home line. You can also call people for free if they have skype and a fast internet connection as well. I just buy the prepaid time and make calls till i run out, then i just buy more. it works great most of the time, as long as the internet isn't bogged down by heavy traffic, you can get a lost call sometime but you just redial the number no big deal. I don't have skype in because i don't want people to call me when i am busy, this way i can call whoever i want whenever it's most convenient for me. You can also get a voicemail service through skype so people can leave you voicemail. I guess if you talk for hours everyday it would be cheaper to get vonage since it's a monthly fee for unlimited calls and they don't charge you by min. whatever you get it will work fine here, and it will be a lot cheaper than using your cell phone to call home.

[RussianJoo]

Hey....I'm really lost about how to keep in contact with family and friends. I was thinking about skype, since I know quite a few people who have it here in the US. In regards to the skyp cell phones, is it easy to pick up internet connection so that people can callyou and you can call them?

How much of the campus is equipped with wireless internet? I'll be an incoming freshman, and I think i'll be living in the dorms so I'm not sure about the internet connection there.

mostly study areas, lecture halls, the library and the student center (i.e. glovers/pearls/D store area) have wireless. So most of those areas you can't talk on the phone in because people study there and you'll be disturbing them. In your dorm you'll have wired connection i.e. you'll need an ethernet cable. I have never seen anyone use a skype cell phone. For friends I use e-mail and AIM. that's the best cause they're free, I have a webcam so i can video chat if i really want to, but i rarely do.

[angylii513]

doesn't skype also have unlimted calls out fo $30 a year, and another $30 a year to allow people to call you?

[RussianJoo]

I don't think so I just flipped through the skype website and didn't see anything like that. Maybe they were offering it as a limited time promotion? or maybe it was offered awhile ago and they don't offer that anymore. But $30 a year is really really cheap.

[DrMakar]

it is 30 bucks a month for calls within US and Canada...so iam assuming if you have say skypeIn with a local number and you call out as if your calling with in the US. I dunno?

[smileyj]

there is a flat fee program through skype which is unlimited calls for around $30, BUT you have to physically be in the US or Canada when making the call (it does not work here in grenada as i quickly found out). Skypein is different because you pay a flat fee for a local # and for any call coming in there is no charge. However, if you call out you will be billed the $0.02/minute.

[RussianJoo]

there is a flat fee program through skype which is unlimited calls for around $30, BUT you have to physically be in the US or Canada when making the call (it does not work here in grenada as i quickly found out). Skypein is different because you pay a flat fee for a local # and for any call coming in there is no charge. However, if you call out you will be billed the $0.02/minute.


and this is an annual fee or a monthly fee? Can you please post a link to the page?? If it's an annual fee it might be worth looking into.