Marisa Conte

Clinical and Translational Science Liaison

Health Sciences Libraries

22 April 2009

Skype

Today’s agenda

What is Skype?

What can I do with it?

Why should I care?

Free features vs. fee-based features

How to:

Install software

Create an account

Set up your profile

Complete sound checks

Use free features

What is it?

Internet-based communications software with

capabilities for:

Instant messaging (chat)

Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) calls

Video calls

Web conferencing

File sharing

Free and fee-based services available

Skype is for you if … You collaborate with colleagues or work on teams:

Use Skype for conference calls or group chats/IM

You want the ability to share files while chatting

You don’t want to spend money on international or

long-distance calls when travelling

You like to see who you’re talking to

You don’t like having people in your office

Bottom line: Fast, free, convenient way to

communicate in real time!

Skype is not for you if …

You don’t have a broadband internet connection

You are looking for a video conferencing platform

You are having a medical emergency

Like other VoIP products, Skype CANNOT be used to

call 911 or other emergency service providers

Service models: Free vs. fee

Free

Download free software, establish account

Basic services

Fee-based

More options, including calls to and from landlines or cell

phones

Prices vary by service and area

Subscriptions available

Free features

Skype-to-Skype voice calls

Skype-to-Skype video calls

Text messaging (individual or group)

File-sharing

Web conferencing with up to 24 people (voice

only)

For-fee features

Set up an online phone number

Call land line or cell phones

Receive calls from land line or cell phones

Forward calls from Skype to a mobile phone

Minimum equipment list

A computer

Broadband internet access

Current version of Skype installed

A Skype account

A headset with microphone

USB headsets work best

Webcam (for video calls)

How to install

Complete installation

Create an account

Create an account

Create an account

How to log in

Welcome screen

Check sound levels

Test your speakers

Check your mic (check, check)

Main screen

Edit your profile

Edit your profile Add or edit personal

information

Picture

Phone numbers

Address information

Website

Gender and birthdate

Be careful! Some information can be viewed only by contacts, some is completely public!

Customize privacy settings

Add a contact

Add a contact – search by full name

Add a contact – search Skype name

Send a request message

Edit contacts

Chat

To begin a chat, right-click a contact and select ‘Start chat’

Make a voice call

Make a voice call

Making a video call

Video calls work with only 2 participants

Select a contact from your contact list

Click the green Video Call button

A new window will open with the webcam view

of the person you are talking to, and your

webcam view will display on your contact screen

Helpful hints:

Stay in one place when you’re on a video call!

Background checks are never a bad idea!

Initiating a conference call

Name your conference

Select participants

More about conference calls

Select up to 24 participants

Participants can be Skype

users (free)

Participants can use a

landline or cell phone (fee-

based)

You can add participants at

any time during the

conference

No option for video

conferencing at this time

Mobile (iPhone)

Skype provides a platform for iPhone users

Free Skype to Skype calls

Must use a WiFi connection

3G services do not support calls, charges will apply

Fee-based calls to cellphones or landlines

Instant messaging capability on iPhone and iPod Touch

For more information

Download software and set up an account:

www.skype.com

User guides for all features:

http://www.skype.com/allfeatures/

Pricing information:

http://www.skype.com/prices/

Marisa Conte

Thank you!