Can't get through to the UK

Bombs went off in London today. I sent a text message to my sister to see if she was ok, but I haven't had a reply. I did get an email from her though, so clearly she's ok.

I tried calling a few people in the UK, but my calling card wouldn't put me through. It's very frustrating when that happens - it's my only means of calling. The same happened yesterday, and on other occasions when I've tried to call my mother, or former colleagues in the UK.

I need to find some alternative means of making international phone calls. Ways that are more reliable than ultra cheap chinese calling cards. One option would be the company recommended American Express calling card, serviced by AT&T. Costly, but probably more reliable. Another method I'm going to give a try is www.skype.com, internet telephony. I use it for online voice chatting and conferencing. But they have extended it to enable you to make and receive actual telephone calls via your computer.

If I put money into the skype thing, I can dial international phone numbers from my computer, and talk through my computer, and pay a reduced fee for the calls. Also, they can provide me with a UK phone number which if people call, will ring through to my laptop.

Pretty cool I suppose if it works. I'll stick some money into my skype account, set up a number, and buy a boom mike headset for my laptop I think. In truth in my new flat I probably won't hear the laptop ring if I'm in another room, but the facility does also have voicemail, so it'd probably still be an improvement in communications.