Skype was initially released in 2003, and since has had huge growth in the business. Just two years after its release, it was bought out by eBay for $2.6 billion; eBay was on to a winner.

The software is easily downloadable from the official Skype site and very easy to set up, a simple download, install and create account; even those not offay with technology should be able to get started... but what does the software do?

Skype was set up as a service for users to talk to other Skype user for free. A simple microphone and set of speakers we all one needed to get chatting to their friends for free over the net. Now however Skype has expanded, and my has it grown! The introduction of paid services came in not long after its release for users to call people without the software; be that a land line or mobile phone, the 'Skype Out' feature made it easy for users to widen their usage as long as credits were bought. Later came international calls, followed by a pay monthly service; either domestic, Europe or World access depending on who you would like to call. Just recently, Skype bought out their latest exciting feature of video calling, and like the phone service it is free over the internet to other Skype users. The online download available is capable of offering all the above services depending on whether you want to take advantage of the free service and minimal features, or pay fees for the ultimate access.

I downloaded Skype a few years back, and didn't really use it, the main reason being is that it was yet to be used by my friends, a great product, but no one to share it with. Eventually family members and a few friends started to use it and since it's been something I've had great use out of. My frequent use lead me to buy the domestic monthly package for unlimited calls to land lines as well as the free service to other Skype users for just £1.95. The other services; Europe and World, come in at £2.95 and £6.95 respectively. I've never had a problem, though I must high light a time when my Mum was having real problems. Now we believe this is just down to her old laptop, although it should have been okay to handle the software, however, whenever she tried to hang up a call it would cause her laptop to crash. It is a strange problem, but all our other laptops are fine so we are putting it down to her poor laptop - just a word of warning if you are trying to use Skype on an older system.

As I go off to University next year I'm looking into buying a desk USB phone, a headset is all well and good and does the trick, but I want to splash out on a nice accessory to make my Skype use even better!

Get your friends and family on Skype and talk for hours for free... really, if that isn't an good enough incentive I don't know what is!