Make calls from your computer — free to other people on Skype and cheap to phones and mobiles around the world.
Hello
Skype was founded in 2003 by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis. Skype created a little piece of software that makes communicating with people around the world easy and fun. With Skype you can say hello or share a laugh with anyone, anywhere. And if both of you are on Skype, it’s free.
Skype is available in 28 languages and is used in almost every country around the world. Skype generates revenue through its premium offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones, as well as voicemail and call forwarding. Skype, based in Luxembourg, has relationships with a growing network of hardware and software providers and is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY).
Skype was founded in 2003 by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis. Skype created a little piece of software that makes communicating with people around the world easy and fun. With Skype you can say hello or share a laugh with anyone, anywhere. And if both of you are on Skype, it’s free.
Skype is available in 28 languages and is used in almost every country around the world. Skype generates revenue through its premium offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones, as well as voicemail and call forwarding. Skype, based in Luxembourg, has relationships with a growing network of hardware and software providers and is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY).
Skype explained
Download the Skype Software
It comes with a handy set-up wizard.
Choose a Skype name
This is the name people will use to call you on Skype.
Make a free test call
Check that your microphone and speakers are on.
Find friends who use Skype
Search by name, email address, location, or other criteria. You can also use the Send Contacts feature to acquire and share contacts.
Start making calls
To begin talking or chatting with any Skype contact simply double-click on their Skype name.
It comes with a handy set-up wizard.
Choose a Skype name
This is the name people will use to call you on Skype.
Make a free test call
Check that your microphone and speakers are on.
Find friends who use Skype
Search by name, email address, location, or other criteria. You can also use the Send Contacts feature to acquire and share contacts.
Start making calls
To begin talking or chatting with any Skype contact simply double-click on their Skype name.
Key features
Video calling is simple to set up and offers a great way to see friends and colleagues.
Making a video call using Skype requires a webcam (in addition to your headset or speakers and microphone).
Install the software for the webcam and then plug in the webcam to the computer. Skype will automatically detect the webcam and offer a way to test the webcam to ensure everything is working correctly. Once that is done, any Skype call can include video.
Conference calling is convenient and simple to initiate.
To include multiple Skype contacts in the same call, simply click the conference button in the Skype window and add the desired parties. Skype can conference up to 5 people in a call on any computer and up to 10 people in one call if the people on the call are using a PC with an Intel Duo Core Processor.
Using Skype to dial an ordinary phone or mobile phone is simple and saves money.
From within Skype calls can be made to ordinary or mobile phone numbers using SkypeOut starting at approximately $.02 per minute.
Having a Skype phone number offers convenience to contacts not on Skype.
For approximately $30 per year anyone can obtain a SkypeIn phone number with the area code of choice that will allow contacts outside the Skype network to call directly into Skype. You can also set up Skype Voicemail so people can leave you messages when you’re not around
