1. Skype
Marisa Conte
Clinical and Translational Science Liaison
Health Sciences Libraries
22 April 2009
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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!
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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)
8. 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
9. 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)
22. 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!
32. 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!
36. 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
37. 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
38. 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/