What is Skype? Skype is a free program that uses the latest technology to bring affordable and high-quality voice communications to people.

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1 What is Skype? Part 1 Skype lets you make free calls over the internet to anyone else who also has the service. It's free and easy to download and use, and it works with most computers. Skype is a free program that uses the latest technology to bring affordable and high-quality voice communications to people. When you use the free Skype software, you can connect to other Skype users so that you can talk and chat. You can also call other numbers such as local landlines, mobiles and international numbers that dont use Skype. If you are calling another Skype user it's free. If you call a none Skype number i.e. a mobile, landline or international number it is a lot lower than a normal call via you home phone. To download skype go to and download the approaiate installer to your computer

2 Part 1 Double-click in the skypesetup.exe icon to install the software. Click Next to to accept English as the default language Choose I accept the agreement from the first dialog box and click next to continue. Leave it as the defualt as C;\programFiles\skype\phone and click next Choose the options you want (eg: create a desktop icon or quick launch icon and click Next one last time. The installer will then copy the necessary files to your computer Click finish to complete the installation You will need the Skype Name and password fields are required in order to use Skype. Your Skype Name must be at least 6 characters. If the name is already being used by another person will be asked to try another name. An address is not mandatory, however it may be a good idea to provide one as this is the only way to retrieve lost passwords. You can optionally set Skype to remember your Skype Name and Password on your computer. This feature is convenient but should only be used in circumstances where you control access to the computer. You can change this setting at any time from the Skype program by going to the Skype menu and selecting Preferences What equipment do I need to use Skype? You need just a computer and and an internet connection (broadband preferred).

3 Part 1 All modern home computers can run Skype and you can use the built-in microphone and speakers to make calls. You'll get much better quality if you buy a headset. You can purchase one at your local computer store. The technical bit: You need a PC running Windows, a sound card, microphone (built-in or external) and speakers or headset. To start Skype If it's your first time opening Skype: Open Skype on your computer. That means double-clicking the icon on your desktop or choosing it from the Windows > Start menu. Having trouble? Click Don't have a Skype Name? This opens a Create account window. Type in your name, and then create a Skype username (called a Skype Name) and a password. Pick ones you can remember so you can sign in next time. Follow the directions from there and click Sign in. If you've opened Skype before: Open Skype from your desktop or Windows > Start menu. In the start-up screen, click in the box under Skype Name and type it in. Then do the same for your password.

4 How to add a contact Part 1 To find friends so that they can be added to your Contacts, select the Search for Skype users option from the Contacts menu or press the Add a contact in the left corner of your Contact list. A 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. When you start Skype for the first time you will already have one contact added to your Contact list called Skype Test Call. You can call this testing robot to see if your headset, speakers and/or microphone are working properly. Skype protects your privacy by only showing your online status to those users you have authorized. When you want to add a new contact to your Contact list, you have to

5 Part 1 send an Authorisation Request. When the other person accepts your request, you will be able to call or chat with this contact. Update your profile After you start using Skype you can enter information into your personal profile by choosing My Profile under the Account menu. Entering this information is optional but it will help people you know to find you on Skype. Personal profile information is not stored by Skype. However, it will be visible to other Skype users. If you decide not to fill in your personal profile, you can always access your profile from the Account menu in the Skype software later to complete more information. How to make a call There are several ways to call a Contact 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. Control-click or right-click the Skype Name in your Contact List or search result and select Call. You

6 Part 1 can also click on the drop down menu button and select Call. 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. When you initiate a Skype call a new window will appear. The window will show who you are calling and also the length 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. Clicking the menu button as shown below will bring up a menu of available options.

7 Part 1 You can also use SkypeOut to make calls to ordinary phones and mobiles easily and at really cheap rates. How to answer a call If someone is calling you, you will hear the sound of a telephone ringing and a floating call window will appear on your screen. Click on Answer to accept the call or Reject to decline it. As soon as you decide to answer a call, a two-way voice conversation will begin and the length of the call will be visible. Either party can end the call at any time by clicking the red Hang up button.

8 Accepting authorisation requests Part 2 When another user adds you to their Contacts, you will get an Authorisation Request pop-up dialog box. If you Accept the authorisation request, the user will be able to see when you are online. If you Deny the request, the user will not be authorized (note that in this case nothing is communicated back to the person requesting authorisation). Adding a contact Search your contacts to see who's on Skype: Click the Directory tab and click the link to see friends who are already on Skype. You'll see an Add contacts screen. Under Check your contacts, click in the checkbox next to the accounts you have. If you have a Yahoo account, type in your username and password then click Search contacts.

9 Part 2 Wait for Skype to search your contacts. If Skype finds a match, it will list the friends who also use Skype. Click in the checkbox next to the people you want to talk to on Skype. Then click Add contact. Write an introduction message so they know who you are. Click OK to send. When they accept your invitation, you will be able to see when they are online and call them, too. Add a specific person: Click the Directory tab and go to Find people. Click in the box and type in their name, address or Skype Name. Click Search. Wait for Skype to search. In the list, find the person you're looking for. Check details like location and click this icon to double check it's them. Click on them, then click Add contact. This will open a Say hello window.

10 Part 2 Click in the message box and type an introduction message so they know who you are. Click OK to send. When they accept your invitation, you will be able to see when they are online and call them, too. Add a phone or mobile phone number: Click New and choose New Contact. Find the link Save a phone number in your contact list. Click on it. This opens an Add a contact window. In this window, enter the person's name, select Home, Office, mobile phone or the other options from the dropdown list, then click on the flag to choose the country they are in. Click in the box beside the flag and type in the phone number. Check it. If it's correct, click Save phone number. This saves the number in your Contact list.

11 Call someone on video Part 2 It s free to call people on video. Make sure you've got a webcam and check: - It is plugged into your computer? - Have you installed the software that came with it - Is it switched on. In your Contact list, find the person you want to talk to. Click on them. In the main window, click the green Video call button. Smile, wave, say hello!

12 Useful things you can do on a video call: Part 2 Resize the screen click and drag the corner of the video screen to make it bigger or smaller. Move it around click and drag the video of yourself around your screen. Send Instant Messages (IMs) To IM someone: In your Contacts, find the person or group you want to message. Or in your Conversations list, find the message you want to pick up again. Click on the person/group or conversation. In the main window, click in the typing box. Type a message and click the blue send message button, or just press the Return key on your keyboard. If someone IMs you: If someone IMs you, your Conversations button will turn orange. Click on the button. You'll see a list of conversations. Find the IM you want to reply to and click it.

13 Part 2 In the main window, click in the typing box. Type a message and click the blue send message button, or just press the Return key on your keyboard. Useful things you can do in an instant message: Group IM click this button to add more people to the conversation. Save a group IM click this button to save the group in your contacts. When you need to pick up the conversation again, just click on the group instead of adding everyone in all over again.

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15 Ways to pay Part 3 View local payment methods available in United Kingdom PayPal Buy your Skype products with PayPal the safe, fast and easy way to pay online. Diners, MasterCard, Solo, Switch, Visa or JCB Pay securely for Skype Credit using your Diners, MasterCard, Solo, Switch, Visa or JCB. Moneybookers With Moneybookers you can use your credit card, debit card or bank account to buy Skype products. Bank transfer Pay for Skype Credit by transferring money using your online banking application or by visiting your bank. Sainsbury s Get Skype Credit by buying Skype vouchers over the counter at Sainsbury s.

16 How Skype Credit works Part 3 Once you have purchased some Skype Credit you can start to use the features that are not free. Simply sign in to your account and from there you can check your existing balance or buy more Skype Credit. Skype Credit remains active for 180 days after your last use of a product or feature that uses credit. Check get more information for a more detailed information about how Skype Credit works.