A Quick and Easy Guide to Skype

Amazing Aardvarks of AlliterationAlex Hood

Alex HuangJohn MilneAaron Zell

IntroductionSkype is one particular software brand that

utilizes Voiceover Internet Protocol (VoIP) to make telephone calls and video calls over the internet. Skype can also be used for transferring files, conference calls, and integrated features similar to those found in applications such as Microsoft Outlook.

Users familiar with programs such as AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), Windows Messenger, etc, will instantly be familiar with the format and operation of functions

Steps to Accessing and Utilizing SkypeInitial Logon: Click on Don’t Have

a User Name? link under login name.

Create a unique username, and create password, and reenter. Select email options that you will (or will not) receive from Skype.

First Look Around: Adding Contacts –

A list of people that you want to keep in touch with.The search bar

allows you to type the Skype login name of anyone who has a Skype account or any telephone that has Skype software and access

On A Mac:  Call - Select name from contact list, then

select green call button to place call. Call NonSkype phone (ex: Cell phone,

landline)- Type in phone number in search bar and

select call this number Select Call, then Call Phones, select country

or region of persons phone, type in number and select green phone to dial. Select Blue Phone icon to send a sms message.

Calling non Skype phones are subject to calling rates. 

Video call - Select Skype in menu bar, select

preferences, select video icon at top of popup screen, designate camera, check Enable Skype Video, follow call steps. This automatically turns on video during calls

Video call can also be made by clicking on contact, selecting the blue video camera or the green call button in the contact box. After connecting call with contact select video icon (third button in from left) at the bottom of the popup window.

Getting Skype credit

1. Access the Skype website at Skype.com, click on account, after page loads enter in your Skype name and password (the same name and password you use to log onto Skype), select Skypeout, or add credit.

2. Next, enter in all required information and click next

3. Fill out payment method and agree to Skype terms of service, click next, enter in credit card or other information regarding the account being used to pay, select buy now.

Setting Up Skype Subscription

Access the Skype website at Skype.comClick on account, enter in your Skype name

and password (the same name and password you use to log onto Skype)

Select Skype subscription,Select desired subscription planSelect frequency of payment, Agree to terms of service Enter in payment information, select “Buy

Now.”

Main Features: How-To Conference call

Select the Call drop-down on menu and then conference call, up to 24 + host

No video conferencing  Add to Conference call

Select Contacts drop-down on menu bar and select add conference  Chat -

Select User from contact list, select blue message button to begin messaging.

Address Book Right Click on Contact, select User Profile

File Transfer During chat / conference call / video call, select Send, Send File, and

choose the file you wish to send Search for a known user that has not been added

At the top of Skype there is a search bar to type in the username or the contacts actual name. User can then either select Search for Skype Name, Add the Contact , Call the contact, or return to the users contact list.

On Your Way…Enjoy your Skype experience! You are now

using the latest in communications technology, for little to no cost.

In addition to the outlined features, Skype offers other tools to the user, and with some exploration, you can unlock its potential.

Welcome to the future!