Skype® For Dummies®
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Copyright © 2007 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2006929466
ISBN: 978-0-470-04891-7
Manufactured in the United States of America
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Loren Abdulezer is CEO and President of Evolving Technologies Corporation, a New York–based technology consulting firm. He is an experienced IT professional serving many Fortune 500 companies. Loren is the author of Excel Best Practices for Business and Escape from Excel Hell and served as technical editor of Crystal Xcelsius For Dummies, all published by Wiley. Loren is always exploring new technologies and finding pragmatic and innovative applications. When Skype came along he was quick to recognize its benefits in business and all walks of life. This book is a direct result of wanting to bring those benefits one step closer to a broader audience.
Susan Abdulezer is currently a full time Multimedia Developer in New York City. Susan creates interactive DVDs, documentaries, and Web-delivered media. She has received many honors for technology innovation, winning the prestigious Computerworld/Smithsonian Award in Technology and Academia in both 1996 and 1997. Susan has also written numerous feature articles on education and technology as the contributing editor of Converge Magazine from 1998 to 2002. Susan is active in the Digital Storytelling community, exploring the nature and power of the emerging digital culture. She has also been known to tear herself away from the computer to play classical violin in the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra.
Howard Dammond is an experienced IT professional and technical instructor, having consulted at several major Fortune 500 companies. Howard has 20-plus years of experience as a technical trainer and developer of innovative learning materials. His perspective on teaching and skills development was first inspired and then intensively developed at Yale University in its unique Master of Arts in Teaching program, where he focused on learning theory, the acquisition and nurture of analytic skills, and interdisciplinary methods of curriculum planning and development.
Loren Abdulezer: To my parents, Ralph and Joyce.
Susan Abdulezer: To my parents, George and Cele (better known as CyberPops and Mamou).
Howard Dammond: To my wife, Daria; my daughter Rhianna; my son, David; my father, HR; my mom, May.
In writing this book we feel as though we embarked on an enormous journey. We couldn’t have done it without the help and assistance of colleagues, friends, and peers who have gone out of their way to be helpful. We express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation, and we acknowledge their contribution in the making of this book and its companion Web site (www.skype4dummies.com).
Numerous people have been generous, devoting their time, energy, and expertise. We need to single out two people who were especially instrumental in facilitating the connections to the right people within Skype and throughout the Skype community. Thank you, Kat James and Romain Bertrand. Lester Madden, Dan Houghton, Raul Liive, and Tony Saigh opened many doors for us. We’ve had numerous and engaging conversations both inside and outside of Skype. In order of first name, we thank the following people:
Aaron Wellman, Adam Gross, Allison Kohn, Anders Hallin, Ash Valeski, Ben Lilienthal, Bernard Percy, Bill Campbell, Bill Good, Brian Phillips, Charles Bender, Christophe Melle, Dani Shefer, David Cohen, David Rivier, Deborah Quinlan, Dick Schiferli, Elspeth Knight, Eric Choi, Eric Partaker, Erica Jostedt, Eyal Gever, Faye Williams, Gershon Goren, Gordon Evans, Graeme Gibson, Grete Napits, Heron Stone, Imogen Bailey, Jaanus Kase, Jen Webb, Jennifer Ruff, Jeremy Hague, Jim Brady, Jin Kim, Joan Gordon, John Martin, John Picard, Karen Gorman, Karen Richardson, Karen Sohl, Kelly Reed, Leslie Schecht, Liz Tierney, Lou Guercia, Martin Dougiamas, Mat Taylor, Melinda Kolk, Natasha Konstantinova, Nicola Riordan, Olivia Selbie, Philip Pool, Philippe Tessier, Phillip Pyo, Rich Conti, Rouzbeh Pasha, Sam Aparicio, Sandy Krochek, Sara Reitz, Scott Miller, Shira Litvak, Stan Kwang, Stella Porto, Stephanie Zari, Tom Gillen, Viktoria Randalainen, and Wendy Dominguez.
We also thank all those friends and family members who helped us put Skype through its paces, and especially George and Cele Pomerantz, who embraced Skype wholeheartedly.
We are grateful for having Susan Christophersen, Leah Cameron, and Colleen Totz Diamond as our editors to give our book shape, clarity, and coherence. Susan Christophersen and Greg Croy did an incredible job of pulling this book together. We also wish to express our gratitude to Jen Webb, Jodi Jensen, Mary Corder, Andy Cummings, and Lisa Coleman.
We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/.
Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:
Acquisitions, Editorial, and Media Development
Project Editor: Susan Christophersen
Acquisitions Editor: Greg Croy
Development Editors: Susan Christophersen, Leah Cameron, Colleen Totz Diamond
Editorial Manager: Jodi Jensen
Media Development Manager: Laura VanWinkle
Editorial Assistant: Amanda Foxworth
Sr. Editorial Assistant: Cherie Case
Cartoons: Rich Tennant (www.the5thwave.com)
Composition Services
Project Coordinator: Kristie Rees
Layout and Graphics: Lavonne Cook, Stephanie D. Jumper, Barbara Moore, Barry Offringa, Laura Pence, Ronald Terry
Proofreaders: Techbooks
Indexer: Jessica Kramer, Techbooks
Anniversary Logo Design: Richard Pacifico
Publishing and Editorial for Technology Dummies
Richard Swadley, Vice President and Executive Group Publisher
Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher
Mary Bednarek, Executive Acquisitions Director
Mary C. Corder, Editorial Director
Publishing for Consumer Dummies
Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher
Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director
Composition Services
Gerry Fahey, Vice President of Production Services
Debbie Stailey, Director of Composition Services
When we launched Skype back in 2003, our dream was to allow people around the world to talk to each other for free. To make this possible, we created a little piece of software that people could easily download onto their computers and use straight away. Today, talking over the Internet using Skype has become a natural form of communication around the world.
The response to our technology has been amazing. It has exceeded even our wildest dreams. Skype is now used by more than 113 million people all over the world and is available in 27 different languages. And people don’t just use Skype to talk to one another. They can do all sorts of things with it — from instant messaging to sending photos to hosting conference calls.
When I found out that Skype was to be included in the popular For Dummies, series, I was delighted. This book explains how a good idea can create powerful connections between people and their friends, family, and business colleagues across the world. It also tells you about some of the new gadgets and software you can buy that make Skype really exciting to use. It’s incredible to think that only a few years ago, if you wanted to call someone on the other side of the planet, doing so would have cost you a fortune. But now, with Skype, you can call whomever you want for free. And it’s fun, too!
We are tickled pink by the way Skype has changed people’s lives. And we hope to keep delighting our users just like you every single day. You make Skype what it is. Thank you.
Niklas Zennström
Title
Introduction
About This Book
How to Use This Book
Foolish Assumptions
How This Book Is Organized
Conventions Used in This Book
Icons Used in This Book
Where to Go from Here
Part I : Getting Started with Skype
Chapter 1: What’s All the Hoopla about Skype?
Seeing What Skype Can Do For You
Going Beyond the Basics with (Not Necessarily Free) Services
Getting a Load of Add-Ons and Accessories
Making Skype Play Well with Others
Chapter 2: Hooking Up with Skype
Downloading and Installing Skype
Choosing Your Skype Name and Password
Filling Out Your Skype Profile: Making It Profile You
Testing Your Connection
Making Your First Skype Call
Chapter 3: Getting Familiar with Skype’s Interface
Understanding the Skype Menus
Using the Skype toolbar
Status Icons: Announcing and Changing Your Online Status
Part II : As You Like It: Skype Your Way
Chapter 4: Customizing Skype Options to Suit Your Style
Fine-Tuning Your General Options
Protecting Your Privacy
Receiving Notifications when Someone Skypes You
Customizing Your Sounds
Customizing Hotkeys
Connecting to the Internet when Skype Default Settings Aren’t Enough
Keeping Up-to-Date
Improving Your Skyping with Advanced Options
Chapter 5: Getting Personal
Personalizing Your Skype Profile with Graphics
Having Fun with Avatars
Skype Is a Communication Kaleidoscope
Chapter 6: The Mad Chatter
Set ’er Up and Let ’er Rip
Mastering the Chaos
Chatting Strategically
Modifying Your Chat Window Dressing
Chatting in the Past, Present, and Future
Chapter 7: Skyping Eye to Eye: Skype with Video
Enhancing Your Conversations with Live Video
Considering Types of Webcams
Understanding Webcam Features
Shopping for Webcams
Installing and Setting Up Video for Skype (On Windows)
Installing and Setting Up Video For Skype (On the Macintosh)
Video in Action
Creative Uses of Skype Video
Chapter 8: The Ins and Outs of SkypeIn and SkypeOut
Connecting Skype with Regular Phone Lines
Understanding SkypeOut
Staying in Touch Through SkypeIn
Redeeming Skype Credit from a Voucher
Part III : Calling All Seasoned Skypers
Chapter 9: Managing Your Messages
Staying Connected via Skype
Bridging Skype with Your Outlook Contacts
Handling Voice Messaging with Skylook
Pamela Is Not Just Another Pretty Voice
Chapter 10: Partying On — On the Conference Line!
The Benefits of Conference Calling
Native Skype Conferencing
Conferencing with Skype Plus Third-Party Web Conferencing Tools
Chapter 11: Spicing Things Up with Great Gadgets and Add-Ons
Giving Skype a Mobile Platform
Replacing Your Bulky Computer Phone
Getting Clearer Communications
Adding Bluetooth for Wireless Connections
Expanding Your Options with Software Add-Ons
Guess Who’s Calling? Customizing Caller ID
Shopping at the One-Stop Skype Shop
Part IV : The Professional Skyper
Chapter 12: “Skypifying” Your Business
Skype in Your Business
Meeting Core Business Needs with Skype
Mega Conferencing at Warp Speed
Staying One Step Ahead by Being One Click Away
Addressing IT Security Concerns
Chapter 13: Exploring Skype Communities
Finding Your Perfect Skype Venue
Discovering Birds of a Feather Who Skype Together
Joining Education Communities
Skyping in All the Right Places
Chapter 14: Skypecasting
Skypecasting: More than Just an Online Town Hall
Organizing a Skypecast in 5 Minutes or Less
Getting the Word Out
Moderating Your Skypecast
Making Your Skypecast Everlasting
Transcribing Your Skypecast Recordings
Podcasting Your Skypecast
Part V : The Part of Tens
Chapter 15: Ten Reasons Your Mom (and Other Family) Will Love Skype
Skype Is Free
Skype Is Easy
Relive Mom’s Home Cooking from a Thousand Miles Away
No-Sweat Party Planning
No-Sweat Messaging
Keeping Track
Guilt-Free Interruptions
Guilt-Free Reminders
Stamp-Free Announcements
Keep in Touch and Stay in Sight
Chapter 16: (Almost) Ten Ways to Promote Your Business Using Skype
Notify Your Customers of Important News
Use SkypeWeb Alerts to Get Customers
Make Your Business “Local” Anywhere
Conduct a Global Town Hall Meeting
Mentoring and Training
Skype on a Business Card
Large-Scale Online Conferencing
Promotionals and Giveaways
Improve Customer Service with Skype Call Transfer
Chapter 17: Ten Ways to Use Skype at School
Connect to the World on a Teacher’s Budget
Master a Foreign Language (Or Practice a Phrase)
Have School Beyond the Classroom Door
Provide Professional Development
Encourage Student Collaboration
Host Poetry Slams, Debates, and Book Clubs
Record a Group Thought Process
Use Skype as a Homework Helper
Conduct Read-Alouds
Support Special-Needs Students
Appendix A: Skype Multilanguage Support
Changing Skype to Your Language of Choice
Appendix B: Skype Tips and Tricks Guide
Troubleshooting Skype
“I'll skype you” is quickly replacing, “I’ll email you,” which ousted “I’ll call you.” Before any of these, of course, came “I’ll send a telegram,” which was supplanted by “I’ll write you.” The need to extend face-to-face communication launched industries around distance messaging, and Skype joins this chorus of change with a “voice” that resonates through the Internet. Skype, however, is not just another way to say hello. Skype combines the power of email, telephony, telegrams, and letters by providing an avenue for text, data, voice, and even video communication. Skype reaches across oceans but has tools to make the experience intimate. You can exchange files as easily as handing someone a piece of paper. You can see eye-to-eye through video conferencing. You can convene a group of friends with ease. Millions of people are discovering all this versatility with Skype. Skype For Dummies makes it easy for you to join them.
Skype is simple to download and start using, so why write an entire book about it? There’s much more to Skype than simply calling someone from one PC to another, and Skype For Dummies opens your eyes to the many ways in which you can put Skype to use, with exciting possibilities for both your personal and professional development.
As is true for the world of technology in general, Skype technology is a rapidly moving and dynamically evolving target. So some of the software or gadgets we describe here may have already changed between our writing and your seeing this book in print. But we have tried to capture the spirit of where the technology is headed, and Skype For Dummies is loaded with the information and ideas you need to get skyping right away.
This book shows you how to
Get started if you’ve never used Skype and become an expert in no time
Find Skype communities to join
Pick out just the right gadgets for optimum skyping
Discover Skype-based solutions for your business
Explore, understand, and adopt a new set of ideas about communicating
Jump right in anywhere! We’ve designed this book so that you don’t have to read it from front to back; it’s a user-friendly reference tool that you can even start reading at the back if you’re so inclined — you won’t spoil the ending.
In writing this book, we’ve made the following assumptions about you:
You wouldn’t mind making free or low-cost calls.
You can use a telephone, computer, or mobile device.
You are curious about technology and wouldn’t mind trying a few new things.
You don’t want to be left out of the communications revolution.
We’ve organized this book so that you can easily find whatever you need or want to know — whether you’re new to Skype or are fast becoming a veteran skyper.
The first chapter in this part provides a snapshot of what Skype is all about. If you’re ready to get skyping now, you can plunge in to Chapter 2 for everything you need to know about downloading Skype and setting it up to make your first call. In Chapter 3, we take you sightseeing through the Skype interface, detailing its menus and toolbar. As you continue to explore the world through Skype, use this chapter as a quick reference for whatever task you need Skype to do for you.
We’ve found that the more you fine-tune your Skype settings to suit your daily needs, the better Skype will serve you. To that end, Chapter 4 is full of information on how to make Skype behave concerning notifications and alerts, sound effects, protecting your privacy, and much more. Chapter 5 describes ways for you to broadcast your personality to the world, both for fun and as a business communications strategy. In Chapter 6, you can find out all about online chatting through Skype. Chapter 7 launches you into the exciting world of skyping with video and shows you how to choose the best webcam for your purposes. Finally in this part, Chapter 8 gives you the scoop on connecting Skype with ordinary phones using services called SkypeIn and SkypeOut.
Even if you’re not a seasoned skyper yet, browsing this part of the book may make you eager to become one! Chapter 9 covers a host of ways to send and receive messages, perhaps in ways you’ve never imagined. And Skype makes conferencing easy, whether with one or many others and whether for business or social activities, as Chapter 10 reveals. In Chapter 11, we unveil a gallery of gadgets and add-ons that you can use to greatly enhance your skyping.
Skype is a heavy-duty communications engine for commerce, and Chapter 12 helps you consider whether it’s time to join with the millions of business users who are already benefiting from Skype. But “professional” skyping doesn’t just imply business-related topics, and Chapter 13 gives you a taste of the array of online communities springing up all over the world through Skype. Last in this part, Chapter 14 tells you how to both join and create your own Skypecasts, which are free, large-scale Web conferences.
We had fun brainstorming our lists of “ten things” in each of these chapters, but they are also very practical. You might want to start with this part first, just to get a sense what Skype is and how it’s helping to change the world.
We use some conventions throughout this book that merit a little explanation. When you see a phrase such as “choose File⇒Edit My Profile,” it means to click through a given sequence of menu commands. In this example, those commands are File followed by Edit My Profile.
Whenever we tell you to click something (most likely it’s a button or an icon), you use the left mouse button and click just once. On those rare occasions when clicking twice is required to get the job done, we tell you to double-click.
To select an item, you either highlight it or click in a check box or radio button, depending on the item. Text that we tell you to enter (that is, type) into the program, such as in a text box, appears in boldface type. Web site addresses and on-screen messages show up in monofont type. To signify hyperlinks, otherwise known as just plain links, we underline the text of the link. On your computer, clicking such a link transports you to another location altogether, such as a Web page.
Finally, to avoid confusion, we use title-style capitalization for option names and links when they appear in regular text, even when the program doesn’t.
To flag special points we want to draw your attention to, we use the following icons:
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Without further ado, we urge you to start skyping. As you experience this extraordinary way to connect to the world, pay us a visit from time to time at the Web site for this book. We’ll be posting updates, tips, tricks, new gear, stories, and more. Find us at
http://www.skype4dummies.com
In this part . . .
This is the place to begin if you’re not exactly sure what Skype is, where to find it, or how to get started using it. In this part, you get a brief introduction to the world of Skype, find out how to download it, sign up for a Skype Name, locate fellow skypers, and get talking! You also get the lowdown on navigating through the Skype menu with all its options and tools.