Discovering Skype

Communicating and Collaborating using ICT

Discovering Skype

Using Skype

Skype provides you features that are free to use. These features are Skype account and latest downloads, video and voice calls, instant messaging and file sharing. What you will need to get started using Skype are: Internet connection, webcam (optional for video calling), a computer or mobile device with a microphone and speakers or a headset attached.

To begin using Skype, you have to sign up for a Skype account and later download it to your computer for use. To sign up, do the following:

1. Go to www.skype.com. Skype's home page will appear like the one below.

2. Click Sign in button. Skype will let you choose whether to create an account or sign in.

3. Click Create an account tab.

4. Fill out the needed data and follow the instructions.

5. At the bottom of the page, click I agree-Continue button if you have successfully created your account.

6. You may then download Skype if your computer or mobile device still does not have it. Just carefully follow the instructions.

When it is complete, Skype opens and the sign-in screen is displayed.

Now that you have Skype on your computer, let’s get started! You can also try it with your mobile devices but there will be some differences on the steps as this text book uses Skype in a desktop computer.

7. Start signing in by clicking Skype name. There you will be prompted to enter your Skype name and Password.

8. You are nearly done. Skype will instruct you to check your sound and video and set your profile pic. Click the Continue button.

9. Click Test sound button. If you hear the test sound clearly, then proceed checking your video.

Web cam is optional for Skype call. But if you have a web cam installed in your computer, then a video automatically appears on the window. Click Continue.

10. If you want to add a profile picture, click Continue, then you may take a picture of yourself using your webcam, or browse for a picture in your computer. Otherwise, click Add later.

Adding a Skype Contact

1. Enter the full name, Skype Name or email of your friend into the global search box at the top-left of the screen, under your Skype Name.

2. Click Search Skype. Search results will appear at the left side of your screen.

3. Click the contact you want to add, and their profile information will display at the top of the screen

4. Click Add to Contacts.

5. Enter some text to introduce yourself, then click Send.

As soon as your new contact accepts your request, you can see when they are online, and make free voice and video calls with them.

If you happen to receive a contact request, do the following to accept it:

1. Under RECENT, select the contact request you would like to accept.

2. Select Accept.

Importing Facebook Contacts to Skype

1. Click Contacts menu.

2. Select Import Contacts.

3. Enter your user name and password for your Facebook account and click Import.

4. The people in your Facebook contacts who have Skype accounts associated with their Facebook accounts are listed.

• To import all contacts, click Add contacts.

To import only some contacts, uncheck those you don't want to import and click Add contacts.

If you don't want to add any contacts from the list, click Skip.

You can also connect your Skype account to your Facebook account if you have one. In the Contacts tab, dick the down arrow next to All and select Facebook. A Facebook log-in page opens in Skype Home. Enter your Facebook log-in details and dick

Log In to connect your account to Facebook. Click Video Call to start a video call with any of your friends who are currently logged in to Facebook.

Calling Someone in your Contact list

You can talk to anyone from your contacts on Skype, anywhere in the world, for free. To do this, follow these steps:

1. In Skype, click the Contacts tab.

2. Find the person you would like to call.

3. Click the contact. The details of this person appear in the main window.

4. Click Call or Video Call.

5. To end the call, click the End call button.

Making a Group Video Call (Video Conferencing)

You can have group video calls in Skype anywhere in the world.

However, only Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1, and Mac users can start a group video call. But mobile device users can join it (with audio only). Each person on the call should make sure that their webcam is working properly. So, to start:

1. Select the Create a group mm icon.

2. Click a contact you wish to add to the group video call and drag it into the Empty group area. Repeat this step for each of the contacts you wish to add to the group video call. In order to have a quality group video call, it is recommended to have up to five contacts.

3. Click the Video call button.

• To drop individual contact from the call, move your mouse over the person's image and click the red icon. Only the host of the group video call can do this.

• To end the call, click the End Call button.

Making a Group Call (Audio Conferencing)

You can share a group call with up to 25 people. If these people are

on Skype, then the call is completely free.

1. Select the Create a Group icon.

2. Click a contact you wish to add to the group video call and drag it into the Empty group area. Repeat this step for each of the contacts you wish to add to the group video call. In order to have a quality group video call, it is recommended to have up to five contacts.

3. Click the Call group button.

If you want to call the same group of contacts again, then you can save the group in your contacts by clicking the Save group in contacts button (at the top right), enter a name for the group and click OK.