Current mood:	tired
Current music:	Marvin Gaye - Stubborn Kind Of Fellow

skype and phoning via the net
a while back, i mentioned skype, a piece of software for phoning over the internet. the conversations are encrypted, which means that unsavoury types will find it rather harder to bug than normal telephone calls. it is also considerably cheaper than using the telephone, especially with international calls.

i installed the program at the time, but have only just come off the phone from my first call using it. it works very well and has other considerable advantages:

• extremely hard to bug.
• cheaper - at worst local call charges, at best included in your broadband costs.
• you can use the internet at the same time.
• you can pass text, links and files while talking.
• you aren't constantly holding a bit of plastic to your ear - this is both more comfortable and makes it possible to type properly at the same time as talking.
• multiple people can talk at one end, assuming your microphone is up to it.. as happened this evening.
• conference calls are a doddle and no more expensive than standard calls.

my user name is "tithonus". people are welcome to try to call me - i'm basically permanently online, but may not be near the computer when you call.. you could always arrange a time via email or instant messaging.