Learning Skype

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Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice calls and video calls over the Internet.

Calls to other users within the Skype service are free, while calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a nominal fee using a debit-based user account system.

What is Skype?

Do you have friends locally or overseas and you can never seem to call each other when you are both home? Are international phone calls costing you a lot of money? Then you need to install Skype on your computer.

Skype uses Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP. VoIP uses your dial-up or broadband connection to make free calls over the internet and is the technology for transmitting voice conversations via the internet.

Do you have friends locally or overseas and you can never seem to call each other when you are both home? Are international phone calls costing you a lot of money? Then you need to install Skype on your computer.

Skype uses Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP. VoIP uses your dial-up or broadband connection to make free calls over the internet and is the technology for transmitting voice conversations via the internet.

Why use Skype?

Skype uses “peer to peer” networking to connect. Peer-to-peer (P2P ) is a standard approach to network design that eliminates the need for dedicated servers. In this case, peer-to-peer networking negates the need to upload information/communication/files to a server first. Instead, you can send information instantaneously.

How Skype Works

If you do not already have Skype installed on your computer, go to:

http://www.skype.com

1. On the top of the home page, click on the “Get Skype” followed by the “Download” button.

2. This will redirect you to the “Create and Account” or “Sign In” page. Fill in your details.

3. Run & Install: Once you have the application, you will be prompted to click "Run" and then "Install".  This step will install the application onto your computer and create an icon on your desktop to easily start Skype in the future.

The Steps

Starting for the First Time

When you start Skype for the first time, you will be asked to read and accept an End User License Agreement. Click “Accept” only after you have read and understood these terms.Next, you will be asked to choose a Skype Name and password. Your Skype Name is like a phone number or email address. This is the name that people will use to call you on Skype.

Skype Name and PasswordThe Skype Name and password fields are required in order to use Skype. Your Skype name must be at least 6 characters in length. If the name you choose is already in use, you will be asked to try another.An email address is not mandatory, however, it is strongly recommended that you provide one as this is the only way to retrieve lost passwords.

You’re Ready!Enter your newly created username and password, and you will be taken to the main Screen. Congratulations, you're in!

You can set Skype to remember your Skype Name and Password on this computer. This feature is convenient but should only be used in circumstances where you control access to the computer.

ConfigurationThe next step is to configure your headset and make a free test call. On the top menu, click on “Tools" and then select “Options”. Select “Audio Settings“ in the dialog box. Next to the microphone and speakers you should see the model of your headset.

 If these are not correct, click the drop down arrow and make the appropriate selection. 

How to Add a ContactTo find friends so that they can be added to your Contacts, select the “Add a Contact” option from the “Contacts” menu or press the “Add a contact” in the left corner of your Contact list. Alternatively click on the “Find Friends” link.

Find a FriendA new search window will open where you can search for friends by name, or any other information they have listed in their Personal Profile. To add a friend to your Contacts, simply select the name from the search results and click the “Add” button.

How to Make a Call• Select a Skype Name

from your Contact list and then click the green Call button.

Depending on how you’ve set your preferences, you may double-click on the Skype Name in your Contacts list or search results.

How to Make a Call• Control-click or right-

click the Skype Name in your Contact List or search result and select “Call”. You can also click on the drop down menu button and select “Call”.

You Can Also…• Type your friends Skype Name into

the address bar and hit enter. • Select a Skype Name from your

Contact list and select “Call” under the “Contacts” menu.

Making the CallWhen you initiate a Skype call, a new window will appear. The window will show who you are calling and also the duration of your call. You can hang up by clicking the “Hang up” button, put the call on hold by clicking the “Hold” button or mute the call by clicking the “Mute” button.

Hang up Volume Call quality

Making a Video Call1. Make sure you've got a webcam

(either built in or external). If its an external device check that it’s plugged into your computer and you have installed the software that came with it. Make sure it’s switched on.

2. In your Contact list, find the person you want to talk to. Click on them.

3. In the main window, click the green Video call button.

4. Smile, wave, say hello!

How to Answer a CallIf someone is calling you, you will hear the sound of a telephone ringing, and a floating call window will appear on your screen. Click “Answer” to accept the call or “Reject” to decline it.

Update Your ProfileAfter you start using Skype, you can enter information into your personal profile by clicking on Skype> Profile> Edit Profile. Entering information in the personal profile is optional, but your profile will help people you know to find you on Skype.

Online StatusYour online status is shown in the status bar of Skype (located at the top of the Skype window). You can change your online status by clicking on the status icon to the left of your name.

Status OptionsOnline – this is the default status when you have logged in to Skype.Skype Me!™ – this status tells users that you are interested in communicating. Skype Me! mode disables your privacy settings and allows anyone to contact you, whether you have authorized them or not.Away – this status is activated if you are logged on to Skype, but have not used your computer for a while.

Not available – this status is activated if you are logged on to Skype, but have not used your computer for an extended period of time. Do Not Disturb – this status is useful when you are busy and do not want to be bothered. Calls and chat alerts will not be displayed in this mode, however you can check for chats and calls in the events panel at any time. Invisible – this status lets you use Skype as usual for chatting and calling but means that you will appear as offline to all your contacts. Offline – this means the user is not currently logged in to Skype, or has chosen to appear invisible or offline.

Accepting Authorization Requests

When another user adds you to his/her Contacts, you will get an Authorization Request pop-up dialog box. If you “Accept” the authorization request, the user will be able to see when you are online.

How to Transfer a CallIn the ongoing call window select More > Call Transfer to transfer the call to another Skype user. You’ll then see a list of all your Skype contacts. Select the one you want to transfer the call to.

Chat and Group ChatInstant Messaging (IM) or chat allows you to communicate with other users with text messages. In many cases, chat may be useful for communicating with other users instead of, or in addition to, voice communication.

Instant Messages• Select a Skype Name from your Contact

list and type a message right of the screen. Click on the Blue chat button.

Chat Away!A chat window will appear when you start the IM. Simply type a message and press return to send an instant message. You can chat with several contacts at the same time in individual chat sessions or as a group chat. To keep track of who you are currently in a chat session with, there is a Conversations area.To switch between the different chat sessions, just click on the contact in the area. When you send and receive an instant message, you will hear an audio indication – a ping.

Using Chat with Groups1. Select the participants you would like to

invite from your Contacts List by holding the Ctrl key and clicking each contact.

2. Once you have selected the participants, right click on the selected contact and click Send IM.

3. A chat window will open with all of the participants.

Managing your Chat HistorySkype archives your chats for you and stores them locally on your computer if you have enabled this option.

Chat histories are not stored anywhere on the Skype network. In other words, no one else will ever be able to see any of your chat histories except you and the person you are chatting with.

Buying Skype CreditWith Skype Credit you can use Skype’s great pay-to-use products like voicemail and text messaging feature, as well as save money on your calling. Use it to make great value calls to landlines and cell phones across the world; to buy an online number so your friends without Skype can call you at local rates; to send low cost text messages; or to personalize your Skype.

Things to do With Skype CreditSend a text message!Easy and fast – text message directly from Skype. Type long and eloquent messages from the comfort of your keyboard. Reach friends instantly anywhere in the world. Show your own cell phone number when sending text messages from Skype.

Call a Land LineIt's easy and quite inexpensive to call phones and mobiles abroad directly from Skype. The clever guide inside Skype will help you dial the number the right way (including those tricky plusses or double zeroes you need sometimes) and you can just chat away.You can pay as you go, or have a monthly subscription to this service.

Did You Know?You can set up your mobile number or online number to appear when you call someone. That way they'll know it's their special someone (you, that is) calling. It’s free to set up Caller identification using your online number. To use your mobile number, you’ll need Skype Credit to pay for the two SMS messages required to validate your numbers.

Skype VoicemailVoicemail is included with the purchase of any of their subscriptions. Otherwise, it’s approximately $6 for 3 months or $20 for a full year.You’ll need to buy Skype Credit to purchase voicemail, but you can also use the credit to call landline and mobile phones and send SMS directly from Skype.

Call ForwardingWith call forwarding you can direct incoming Skype calls to ring on your mobile or phone. If your friend is offline, but has activated call forwarding, you can reach them when they’re away from their computer, and best of all it costs you nothing!

Skype PrimeCall an expert with Skype and learn something new.There's a wide range of advisors on offer in the Prime Directory. You can search for them by keyword or browse topic categories.

Remember!

Skype is not a replacement for your ordinary telephone and can't be used for emergency calling!