Skype Prime takes next step

Skype Prime, in a just-released beta version, takes the Web’s best online voice application one step further.

Those who haven’t tried Skype owe themselves a trial run. The program installs easily, allows you to call people anywhere on the planet for low cost, and bundles all sorts of handy functions into one package.

The Skype Prime beta throws one wrinkle into the mix. It allows tech-savvy people to get paid when they take Skype calls and help someone with a tech problem. Skype Prime has to be installed on both machines for this feature to work. It works in both Windows and Mac.

How it works: If you are the tech guru, you can use Skype Prime to initiate a payment request. All your calls start as free, but you can then switch to paid calling, charging either by the minute or a one-time only fixed fee. The call then proceeds as a paid Skype Prime call and your Skype credit is either deducted or increased, depending on whether you’re providing the help, or asking someone else for tech help.

If you’re the advice-giver, you can transfer the payments to a PayPal account.

Here’s the main rub: Skype takes 30 percent of those payments made to the provider of advice.

A similar service, Ether.com, has tried to do the same. It’s a much smaller system, but on the plus side, it has a smaller percentage take than Skype.

Tom Sowa, staff writer