SWeCS NEWSLETTER - 8 August 2005
In this issue...
- Talk For Free Over The Internet - Including International Calls!
- This Fortnight's Question
- The new South West Life
- Domains For Sale
- Resources For Small Business
FREE INTERNATIONAL CALLS OVER THE INTERNET
You may have heard stories about how you can make telephone calls
over the Internet for free. Well here's a system that makes it so
easy anyone can do it.
It's called Skype (www.skype.com). Skype is free software that you download onto your computer that allows you to make telephone calls anywhere in the world through your Internet connection.
What's the big deal about that? It means that your calls are free! This isn't something we've just read about, we've tried it ourselves. Here's how it works.
Once you've downloaded and installed the software, you just need to make sure that your computer has a microphone and speakers. If not, you can usually pick up a headset with microphone from your local computer store, starting at around $30.
You then have 2 options to call people. You can either call their computer if they have Skype installed, or you can call any telephone in the world. If the other person has Skype on their computer, then you call their Skype number, and you can talk to them for as long as you like, with absolutely no charge. If they don't have Skype, then you can call their telephone number. In this case there is a small charge, but it is virtually nothing. For example, you can call the United Kingdom from Australia for only 2.8 cents per minute. So a 30 minute call will cost you around 85 cents!
Why is it free, or so cheap? Because your call isn't going down the normal phone line and being charged international call rates. Instead, it's simply going through your Internet connection. Because you're already connected, there's no call cost.
And you don't even need broadband (ADSL). Although we haven't tried it on dialup, the specifications on the Skype website say that as a minimum you only need a 33.6Kpbs connection, which almost everyone should have even on dialup. Over our broadband connection it works fine.
So what are you waiting for? Almost 150 million people have already downloaded the software, and it will allow you to talk to anyone, whether they're next door or on the other side of the world, for nothing, using your computer.
To find out more, visit www.skype.com.
THIS FORTNIGHT'S QUESTION
This fortnight's question comes Sean:
"Do you have email databases for sale?"
No! Our mailing lists are not for sale. Not only would our members find this very annoying and a breach of privacy, but under the new spam laws it is now illegal for you to send unsolicited commercial email to anyone in Australia.
The best way to get your own mailing list is to develop it yourself by encouraging people to sign up for your information. Of course, it does mean you need to have someone worth offering, that people might be interested in. It's a long process, but well worth it in the end.
Got a question? Send it to us at admin@southwestecommerce.com and we'll do our best to answer it, as well as publish one every
fortnight for everyone to see.
THE NEW SOUTH WEST LIFE
In case you haven't heard, our other site, South West Life (www.southwestlife.com.au),
has recently undergone a redesign, with a number of new features
for readers and advertisers.
For readers, there is more updated information on the home page. Visit the South West Life home page for the latest information on what's happening in the south west, including events, local news, weather, interesting stories, and more. It's updated regularly.
For advertisers, there is a whole range of options now available to promote your business. Many of them are free. For further details visit www.southwestlife.com.au/advertising.htm.
DOMAINS FOR SALE
Two domains for sale:
www.buyalink.info; and
www.buyalink.biz
If you are interested in purchasing either of those names, please email us at admin@southwestecommerce.com.
RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESS
Browse through the SWeCS Ecommerce Library, full of FREE information about getting more out of the Internet. Sections include Web Site Development, Web Site Promotion & Internet Marketing, Online Commerce, Computer & Technical Issues, and Miscellaneous.
The SWeCS Newsletter archives provides a wealth of FREE information on small business and the Internet. Browse through the main topics or search for your particular query.
Start up another income stream, by earning commissions for each referral who signs up for one of our services.
Do you know of a resource that should be added
here? Email us and let us know. There is only one
condition - it must be free.
OTHER EMAIL NEWSLETTERS
Here's some other email newsletters you might
like:
www.dunsboroughbayvillageresort.com/news/newsindex.htm
www.west-oz.com/newsletter/newsletter.asp
http://derekstockley.com/newsletters/news-index.html
This newsletter is produced by South West eCommerce
Strategies - © 2005
PO Box 2340, Bunbury, WA 6230
Ph: (08) 9721 1326
Fax: (08) 9721 1352
Email: admin@southwestecommerce.com
Web Site: www.southwestecommerce.com
