THE INS AND OUTS OF SKYPE. Presented by Marie Vesta APCUG V. President

Transcription

1 THE INS AND OUTS OF SKYPE Presented by Marie Vesta APCUG V. President

2 WHAT IS SKYPE? Skype is a program that uses the internet to make calls and videocalls, to chat and to send texts and files. Skype is a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol ) service provider, that allows users to communicate with each other just like using traditional dial service. Unlike local phones, it makes use of your internet connection

3 HOW IT WORKS. With Skype we can call from your computer to any other Skype user in the world connected to internet, landlines and mobile phones. Calls between computers are completely free and the same applies to videocalls with the webcam, chats or to sending files.

4 Skype has about 660 million registered users in the world. 10 million concurrent users. In 2005 Skype was purchased by ebay for $2.5 billion. In 2011 it was purchased by Microsoft for $8.5 billion.

5 TO AQUIRE SKYPE Go to and download the current version onto your desktop. Run the program and set up your account by following prompts. Don t forget your password!

6 Features Skype-to-Skype Phones and mobiles Conference calling Skype To Go Online number Voic Call forwarding Caller ID Call transfer Video calling Group video calling Screen sharing Instant messaging Sending files Text messaging Facebook News Feed Skype Access Some of these features cost for the requested service. FREE FEATURES: Skype-to-Skype Video Calls Instant Messaging Screen Sharing

7 TO START SKYPE FROM YOUR DESKTOP: In the start-up screen, click in the box under Skype Name and type it in. Then do the same for your password. This will sign you in to Skype, ready for you to use

8 To add a contact to my Contact list: From the menu bar, select Contacts > Add a Contact. Enter as much information as you can in the search fields: , phone number, full name and Skype Name, and then click +Add. Click the View button to view all the matches found.

9 When you locate the correct contact, click Add Contact next to their name. This sends a contact request to your friend. After they have accepted your contact request, you can make calls, video calls and send instant messages to each other for free.

10 If you're not sure which version of Skype you're using Sign in to Skype. Click: Help > About Skype (Skype for Windows) Skype > About Skype (Skype for Mac) The version of Skype you are using will be displayed.

11 To call someone in your contact list: 1.Sign in to Skype. 2.On the Contacts tab, find the person you want to call. If you have lots of contacts, you can use the search box to find the person you re looking for. 3.Click the contact. You will see their details in the main window. (Remember - anyone with one of these symbols beside them is on Skype so it's free to call. 3. Anyone with one of these means it's a phone or mobile number and calls will cost you a little.)

12 4.Click the green Call button. You should hear ringing. If you don't hear the other person or they can't hear you, click the call quality icon in the call bar. 5.To hang up, click the End call button.

13 Useful things you can do on a call Adjust your volume. Show the IM window so you can instant message the person you are talking to. Show the dial pad, so you can dial extensions or make DTMF (dial pad tone) tones. Add people to the call to create a conference call. If you've got a webcam plugged in, turn on video so the other person can see you. Note: These instructions are for Skype 5.0 for Windows or above.

14 WHAT IS AN ONLINE NUMBER? With an Online Number, people can call you from a landline or mobile and you can pick up the call in Skype. It s perfect if you have friends, family or business colleagues who don t use Skype. Anyone can dial your Online Number from any phone or mobile and hey presto your Skype rings and you pick up the call.

15 ONLINE NUMBERS You can also use your Online Number as your Skype caller identification. It s quick and easy to set up and when it s set, your Online Number will display each time you call a landline or mobile (as long as their phone is capable of displaying incoming caller ID) now your friends family and colleagues will know it s you who s calling.

16 How do I call phones and mobiles? To call phones and mobiles from Skype you will need to buy some Skype Credit or a subscription. You can then call a number on your contact's profile, or use the dial pad to enter a phone number. To access the dial pad, click Call Phones below the Contact list. If you're calling abroad, choose a country from the flag menu. Then type the phone number (or click the numbers on the keypad) and click the green Call button.

17 To call a contact on their phone or mobile In the Contacts or Recent tab, click the contact s name you wish to call. In the conversation window, click the Mobile, Office or Home tab this displays a phone number. Click the Call button (Call Mobile, Call Office or Call Home depending on the number you want to call).

18 How do I make a video call? You can make a video call for free with any of your Skype contacts all you need is a webcam. Before you call, check: Your webcam is plugged into your computer. You've installed the software that came with it. It's switched on.

19 To start a video call: 1.Sign in to Skype. 2.In your contact list, find the person you want to talk to and click on them. (Make sure they are online - if they have this or this symbol beside them, it means they are offline and you won t be able to video call them.) 3.In the main window, click to start your video call. 4.Smile, wave, say hello! You can also turn a voice call into a video call. To turn your video on during a call, simply click.. Click it again to turn your video off.

20 Useful things you can do on a video call Show your friend's video in full screen. Click again to exit full screen mode. Put all your videos into a separate window that you can drag around your screen. This window will always stay on top of other windows. Take a video snapshot of your friend during a video call Show the IM window so you can instant message the person you're talking to. Share your screen Add more people to the call to create a group video call. Hide your contact list. Click again to show your contact list.

21 How do I make a group video call? Group video calling is available with Skype 5.3 and higher for Windows. You can make a group video call to up to nine other contacts (we recommend a maximum of five, depending on bandwidth). I have found the more contacts used the less quality of the video. Two or three contacts along with yourself is perfect Especially when talking with Grandchildren living in different states.

22 Family group call. One in N.H. and one in Georgia. Everyone sees everyone else.

23 To make a group video call: 1.Sign in to Skype. 2.From the menu bar, click Contacts > Create New Group. 3.From the Contacts tab, drag the contacts you wish to add to the group video call into the Empty group area. 4.Once you have added your contacts, click to begin the call. You can also turn a video call with one person into a group video call. Just click during the call and add other contacts.

24 Business Conferences

25 HOW TO START SCREEN SHARING Make a video call Call one of your contacts. Share your screen Click the Share button in the call window.

26 Please note that people on a group video call will be unable to send and receive video if: They do not have Skype 5.3 or higher for Windows installed. They are on a landline or mobile. They are not using Skype. Also, people will be unable to send video if there are more than nine other people already on the group video call, although they will still be able to receive video. You cannot use screen sharing on a group video call.

27 How do I send instant messages? To IM someone: 1.In your contact list, find the person or group you want to message. Or on the Recent tab, find the message you want to pick up again. 2.Click on the person, group or conversation. 3.In the main window, click inside the conversation box. 4.Type a message and click the blue Send message button, or just press the Enter key on your keyboard.

28 If someone IMs you: If someone IMs you, your Recent tab will have an orange dot on it. Click the Recent tab. You'll see a list of conversations, with unread messages shown in bold. Find the IM you want to reply to and click it. In the main window, click inside the conversation box. Type a message and click the blue Send message button, or just press the Enter key on your keyboard

29 Useful things you can do in an instant message: Add more contacts to the conversation to create a group IM. Send documents, photos and video clips of any size. Send emoticons or small pictures to show how you re feeling: For a cheat sheet of Skype Emoticons, go to projects/emoticons (some are a little risqué..)

30 HOW MUCH IT COSTS The software is free and there are no activation costs. Calls, videocalls and chats between computers are also completely free. Calls toward landlines, mobile phones and texts are charged (the service is called SkypeOut) but the cost is very low because data travels through internet for most of the way. Rates vary: Pay as you go costs from 2.3 cents per minute Subscriptions: Costs from 1 2 cents a minute

31 IDEAL FOR SENIORS Why this is ideal: Some seniors find it difficult to drive after dark Some days you just don t feel like going out Cost of gasoline Walking from the parking area to venue Need to sit in comfortable chair I am sure you can think of others

32 COMPUTERS AND SENIORS There is a new report that shows that Internet users 50+ have nearly doubled in just the past year. This survey goes on to say that almost half of Internet users and about 26% users age 65 and older now use social networking sites. While and online news are still appealing to older users, these people are now using the social sites and are repeat users, at that. The report goes on to say it shows that one attraction to seniors and others as well, is reconnecting with people from their past.

33 This finishes my PowerPoint presentation, but let s take the rest of our time with questions and answers. Thank you for your attendance and I hope you enjoyed this time together. THANK YOU!