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Article 21:
Skype:
Calling for free all over the world

Last time I checked the statistics, 82,000,000 people worldwide had downloaded Skype (rhymes with “ripe”) from the internet. What is Skype, and why do are so many people interested in it?

Skype turns any computer with a fast internet connection into a telephone that makes free or very cheap phone calls anywhere in the world. It is the most popular application of VoIP (which stands for voice over Internet protocol). Skype runs on most major operating systems, including Windows XP and 2000, Linux, and Mac OS. (It won’t work on Windows 98).

Computer-to-computer:

While running, Skype sits in a small separate window on your screen and lets you to talk with other users in two ways. If the other person has Skype installed, you can talk, computer-to-computer, for as long as you want, for free, and with sound quality that is often better than that of a normal phone connection. The sound comes from the computer’s speakers.

You’ll need a microphone. Your computer may have an embedded microphone; alternately you can purchase an external microphone or ideally, a phone headset that plugs into your computer. Skype also allows file transfers and instant text messages during these computer-to-computer sessions.

 

Computer-to-phone:

You can also reach people who don’t use Skype, through a new service called SkypeOut. This allows you to dial nearly any telephone number in any country and have a conversation. Though it isn’t free, it’s remarkably cheap.

Setting up the Skype program:

First, download and install the free software from http://www.skype.com.

The first time you start Skype, you will be asked to choose a Skype name and password (mandatory) and to set up a user profile (optional). If you choose to make the profile available to other Skype users, then they will be able to search for you using this information.

Now that the program is installed, let’s go through the most common actions you can do with Skype:

Using Skype the first time:

  1. Start Skype by double clicking the shortcut on your desktop, or the small light green icon in the taskbar at the bottom right of your screen.
  2. Log in with your Skype name and password (unless you have set up Skype to log you in automatically).
  3. Once you log on, you are visible to contacts that you have authorized (more about authorization later).
  4. If you wish to change your status (for instance, to be online but invisible to others, or visible but not wishing to be disturbed), right click the small green Skype icon in your taskbar at the bottom right of your computer screen, click Change Status, and click the appropriate status button.

Adding contacts

  1. When you start Skype for the first time, your Contact List will be empty. To find friends among other registered Skype users to add to your contact list, click the Search button on the toolbar.
  2. In the search window that opens, type the name of the person you are looking for in the Look for: box. Use the Advanced button to search using other information that users have included in their Personal Profile.
  3. When you find the friend you are looking for, simply right-click the name from the search results, and in the shortcut menu, click Add to Contacts.
  4. Skype will send a message to the person you selected, and request permission or Authorization to display his or her name on your contact list. (This of course also works in reverse, and your permission will be requested before you can be added to anyone else’s list). Once you have been authorized, you can communicate via Skype.

Skype Tabs

When you open Skype you will see several tabs:

 

 

The Start Tab

Shows information about your account, and other Skype activity. For instance, you can see the number of contacts that are online, calls you have missed, and, if you are using SkypeOut (a paid service which allows you to use Skype to call non-Skype users on their phones), how much money you have left in your account.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Contacts Tab

Shows the names of friends you have added to your Contact List.

You can also see their status: Offline, Online, Away, Not Available, Do Not Disturb.

If you right-click one of your Contacts, a shortcut menu appears with a list of activities you can choose from, for instance: “Call this Contact”, “Send File” etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Call List Tab
Shows a list of recent calls you have made.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making a Call

  1. Look on the Contacts Tab, and make sure the person is on line, If they are online and available, you will see a small green icon with a check in it next to their name.


2. Now Double-click the name. A “call in progress” window will open and you will hear the sound of a telephone ringing until the contact answers your call at the other end.


  2. Once the connection is made, speak as you would on the phone.
  3. To end the call, click the red End Call button.

Receiving a call

If someone is calling you, you will hear the sound of a telephone ringing and the Skype icon in your system tray will flash.

  1. Double-click the flashing icon and you will see a new Call Tab.
  2. Press the green Accept Call or the red Reject Call button.
  3. If you accept the call, you can begin to speak.

Skype is easy to install and to use – but this is a brief overview of what the program has to offer.. In addition, I recommend visiting the Skype website. You can check there for both minimal and ideal requirements for running the program on your computer. They also have an excellent visual guide that walks you through using Skype, including the download process. It can be found at: http://www.skype.com/help/guides/index.html

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