‘Skype’ is a useful and convenient way to speak or have a ... · ‘on line’ at the time you...

of 22

Skype - updated appearance version

‘Skype’ is a useful and convenient way to speak or have a video conversation with friends and family. ‘Skype’ to ‘Skype’ cal ls are free. If you make calls to house phones using ‘Skype’, the cost is relatively low (‘pay as you go’ calls to USA or Australia at 1.6p/min) You may have bought your computer with ‘Skype’ software already loaded. If you not, it can be down loaded from the internet at http://www.skype.com/en/download-skype/skype-for-computer/ The software invites you to open an account. The following pages explain what a Microsoft account is.

http://www.skype.com/en/download-skype/skype-for-computer/

of 22

Skype does not require any payment. ‘Skype’ to ‘Skype’ calls can be made free of charge. You can transfer money to your Skype credit account later if you wish, in order to make calls to house or mobile phones. It is not expensive £10 can last several months. The screen shown below is the first screen shown on the ‘Skype’ download website. You can create an account (or open an existing one, if you have one). Type Skype into Google and download the skype free software. The download page is shown below.

of 22

Complete your personal details. This includes the name you wish to be identified by on ‘Skype’. It is advisable to give your name with a few numbers added at the end and to state the town where you live. When anyone searches for you, the search is world-wide and will include variations on your name including first and last names. Including your home town will help your friends find you and add you to their contacts list. Your password is a password specifically for ‘Skype’. This is one time that you will realise that your name is not unique! Sections marked with an asterisk are obligatory.

of 22

Once the software is down loaded, you are invited to sign in. Use your ‘Skype’ name and ‘Skype’ password.

of 22

Having signed in, this screen includes a series of drop down menus. The programme offers a wide range of options on privacy,

selectivity on receiving calls, being notified about calls, re-directing calls, video settings etc. It is probably advisable to use the

programme with the standard settings initially, until you get used to it, and explore the options later. Many of the settings will not

normally require attention once set up, and several are automatically adjusted. They are described individually on the following

pages.

of 22

The following three drop down menus show; ‘Skype’. Contacts Conversation

Gives access to your on line status, profile, account and password, via sub menus.

Enables you to Add contacts, Create and display Group calls etc.

Enables a range of options in conversations.

Call View Help Tools Enables options in voice and video calls

Enables options in viewing call records

Enables help/feedback on call quality

Offers a range of tools displayed below

of 22

Skype – Online status Skype – Profile Options Skype- Profile Enables options for your online status. A relavent Icon will display on callers screens

Enables taking your profile picture and stating your profile details

Enables you you to take a profile photo of yourself or an image if your wish to dislay a photo.

of 22

Profile Picture If you wish to have your photo in your directory entry, use this page, alternative cover the lens and left click on ‘take a picture’.

of 22

The following Options allow you to control the mode and limitations on how you wish to operate your Skye connection.

Skype Skype

Privacy; Provides a range of personal settings. The list shown on the left-hand panel opens further options, available as sub menus.

Account; Provides current credit status details. Click on Buy more credit for house phone calls.

of 22

Skype – Buy Credit Skype – Change Password

This panel enables credit cards payment Enter the password details as required below

The sign out and close options,(shown on the main Skype pop up list) do exactly that.

of 22

Contacts Contacts

Add Contact; Enables a search on the Skype directory for names or phone numbers via two sub menus.

Search Directory; Typing in the required name, will start search for your contact, and display several variations on the name. Clicking on the correct name will send a call.

To Find a new contact, type in the name as above. If the person exists in the directory, but is not in your contacts list, you send a request to add them as a contact and wait their relpy, next time they have ‘Skype’ operating. Import a contact, takes you on to a request for a facebook email address of the person you wish to import.

of 22

Making a Test call In the list of contacts there is the Echo / Sound Test Service. If you left click on it, the panel on the right hand of the screen will display the

Echo Sound Test Service showing the status as being on line. (This means that it is active to receive a call). Left click on the phone icon and follow the instructions from the automated answering service.

of 22

This screen is displayed while the call is being made. Wait for the play back of your voice before left clicking on the red phone icon to terminate the call.

of 22

To make a call to a land line phone, left click on the ‘Call phones’ icon. That will bring up the screen shown below. Make sure that

the correct country is displayed under ‘Enter number’. For example if United Kingdom is not displayed, left click on the chevron at

the end of the country line and select appropriately from the drop down menu. If the phone number is not in your list of contacts

enter the full UK code using your mouse on the keypad displayed on the screen. The number will appear in the area next the ‘Enter

number’ as you click on the key pad. If the number is on your computer elsewhere; you can copy and paste it next to the space

‘Enter number’. The software will ignore spaces in the number. There is no need to edit them out.

If the required number is in your contacts list just click on in from the list.

To start the call left click on the phone icon.

of 22

This is the screen displayed whilst the call is being made. If it is a business call and you are asked to choose options, left click on the

keypad display and make you input with the mouse. To close the call left click on the red phone icon.

of 22

Create a Group Contact

If you are in contact with someone you can add some to the call. Either left click and drag the names from the main contact list on

left to the central area panel, or click on the head + icon, open up your list of contacts, and select by left clicking on the contact to be

added to the group phone call.

of 22

Create a Group Contact

If you are in contact with someone you can add some to the call. Either left click and drag the names from the main contact list on

left to the central area panel, or click on the head + icon, open up your list of contacts, and select by left clicking on the contact to be

added to the group phone call.

.

of 22

To make a video call

You can only make a video call to one of your contacts if symbol next to their name displays a tick to indicate that they are actually

‘on line’ at the time you are making your call.

An alternative is to call them in their phone and ask them to get on to Skype. Skype is usually configured to be active in the back

ground while your computer is switched on. Select from your contacts list, by left clicking on the contact. The screen below will be

displayed. Left click on the camera icon to start the video link-up.

of 22

This screen will be displayed whilst the link is being established. When the contact answers, their image should appear on your

screen, with an insert of your video image in the corner . The contact image can be changed to full screen by left clicking on the

opposing arrows icon. Make sure that the camera icon at the bottom of the screen does not have a diagonal line across it. If it does,

left click on it, to turn it on. The volume level can be adjusted by clicking on the microphone icon. Terminate the call by left clicking

on the red phone icon.

Alan Paul

February 2015

‘Skype’ is a useful and convenient way to speak or have a ... · ‘on line’ at the time you...

Documents

Transcript of ‘Skype’ is a useful and convenient way to speak or have a ... · ‘on line’ at the time you...