yankee is still around!

[yankee]

I have been away for a long time and as I returned it seems that nothing has changed!!

I feel that my nick name is getting too old (like me) since I have been living in central Florida for over 7 years!  Maybe carpet bagger would be better???

question for everyone.  Up until now we have been using Skype to communicate with my wife's mother ( she is over 90 yo now).

Microsoft has put Skype to sleep how can we call my mother-in-law now?  She does not have a computer nor will she ever use one or a cell phone. 

any suggestions??

[Texan77]

I have been away for a long time and as I returned it seems that nothing has changed!!

I feel that my nick name is getting too old (like me) since I have been living in central Florida for over 7 years!  Maybe carpet bagger would be better???

question for everyone.  Up until now we have been using Skype to communicate with my wife's mother ( she is over 90 yo now).

Microsoft has put Skype to sleep how can we call my mother-in-law now?  She does not have a computer nor will she ever use one or a cell phone. 

any suggestions??

Does whatsApp work you guys? You will have to send her a cell phone with it on there. After that it is just like using a phone. I do not know how you were using skype with out a phone or a computer?

[Markje]

Does whatsApp work you guys? You will have to send her a cell phone with it on there. After that it is just like using a phone. I do not know how you were using skype with out a phone or a computer?

^^^ Im with Texan here. How did she manage skype without computer/cellphone. One addition: There are plenty of shops that can install whatsapp on a mobile for a small fee, not a problem in Crimea, so I doubt it is in regular Russia / Ukraine.

[andrewfi]

Just guessing about Skype, but you can use it to call landline and even mobile numbers in many countries at no cost over and above the subscription fee. For my relatives and some business contacts, I also maintained national numbers on the account. Those will all die when the current subscriptions run out.

As for alternatives, if the issue is cost, as it might well be, then there are other services offering VOIP services on a subscription basis.

I will miss Skype. Although WhatsApp is becoming ubiquitous, it does not have the range of reliable services that Skype offered.

Anyway, I checked with my telecoms team, and they suggested the following:

1. Making Affordable Calls to Russia from the USA:

Yolla: Yolla is a VoIP app that enables international calls to landlines and mobiles at competitive rates. Users have reported good call quality and ease of use. ​
receive-sms-free.cc

Viber Out: Viber offers a service called Viber Out, allowing users to make international calls to non-Viber users at low rates. This can be a cost-effective solution for calling landlines or mobiles in Russia. ​
Viber Out

Mytello: Mytello provides cheap international calls, including to Russia, using either their VoIP app or traditional local access numbers. They offer flexibility based on your internet connection. ​
mytello.com

2. Receiving Calls from Russia:

To allow your grandmother to call you for free or at minimal cost, consider obtaining a virtual phone number that she can dial as a local call. However, acquiring a Russian virtual number can be challenging due to regulatory restrictions. Here are some alternatives:

CallHippo: CallHippo offers Russian virtual phone numbers, enabling you to receive calls from Russia. This service can help maintain a local presence, allowing your grandmother to call you without incurring international charges. ​

DialerHQ
DialerHQ provides Russian virtual numbers with features like call forwarding, which can route calls from your Russian number to your current phone. This setup allows your grandmother to call a local Russian number, and the call will be forwarded to you. ​

It looks like the latter two will give you much of the functionality possible with Skype. A Russian virtual number she can call at low/no cost that forwards to you. And for you the ability to call her on the same number.

[Wiz]

Many years ago when it was time to retire my sky internet provider made me an offer I could not refuse.

I canceled my telephone connection with BT and joined SKY......where I had almost free fast internet and also was able to call 60 MINUTES (for FREE) 50 countries (STILL DO!). the enginear also connected Russia too !!! so my wife can keepan eye to baboyska...... and now I pay monthly direct debit £20 and I am able to talk to all my relatives and friends for 1 hour foralmost FREE.
I also increased my payment to cover very fast internent and with £30 a month ....... wife is happy, my family, Friends and relatives are very happy.......I am happy too and I bought a timer because women forget to put the phone down..........!!!

[2tallbill]

I have been away for a long time and as I returned it seems that nothing has changed!!

Everyone in the FSU has it and it's free

https://www.whatsapp.com/

[yankee]

Does whatsApp work you guys? You will have to send her a cell phone with it on there. After that it is just like using a phone. I do not know how you were using skype with out a phone or a computer?

^^^ Im with Texan here. How did she manage skype without computer/cellphone. One addition: There are plenty of shops that can install whatsapp on a mobile for a small fee, not a problem in Crimea, so I doubt it is in regular Russia / Ukraine.

My Mil is over 90 years old.  Teaching her will have to be completely transparent to her.  Her current phone is a land line phone.

I will suggest to my wife to check out the shops.

[andrewfi]

My Mil is over 90 years old.  Teaching her will have to be completely transparent to her.  Her current phone is a land line phone.

I will suggest to my wife to check out the shops.

That's why I suggested the options above; they will give you what you previously enjoyed with Skype. No need for new phones, internet access, etc.

[Milaa]

Does whatsApp work you guys? You will have to send her a cell phone with it on there. After that it is just like using a phone. I do not know how you were using skype with out a phone or a computer?

^^^ Im with Texan here. How did she manage skype without computer/cellphone. One addition: There are plenty of shops that can install whatsapp on a mobile for a small fee, not a problem in Crimea, so I doubt it is in regular Russia / Ukraine.

My Mil is over 90 years old.  Teaching her will have to be completely transparent to her.  Her current phone is a land line phone.

I will suggest to my wife to check out the shops.

Have you tried Microsoft Teams? They use it as a replacement Skype, but I haven't tried it.

[2tallbill]

Have you tried Microsoft Teams? They use it as a replacement Skype, but I haven't tried it.

I used it many times (more than 20, less than 100) during and after covid. It's simple to use,
but I have some general knowledge of computers and a highspeed connection. I think for an
old 90+ year old babushka with no knowledge of either, she would probably need local
assistance to get her a smart phone and a reliable internet connection.

Nice to see both Yankee and Milaa! 

[Danchik]

I have been away for a long time and as I returned it seems that nothing has changed!!

I feel that my nick name is getting too old (like me) since I have been living in central Florida for over 7 years!  Maybe carpet bagger would be better???

question for everyone.  Up until now we have been using Skype to communicate with my wife's mother ( she is over 90 yo now).

Microsoft has put Skype to sleep how can we call my mother-in-law now?  She does not have a computer nor will she ever use one or a cell phone. 

any suggestions??

Have you switched over from Skype to Teams? if not, do it and you should be able to call landlines like you did with Skype.There will be a call icon on the left side of the platform that will instruct you if you have any problems.