Skype virgin

stefano

I am a Skype virgin, and my notebook has Skype installed. What exactly is Skype, what does it do and how would I get started?

aerostar

Have you explored their website ?

Lots of information.

www.skype.com

JasX

For free it lets you hold a list of contacts and when they are online and signed into skype you can make voice or video calls to them to chat accross the internet.

You are able to sign up to a PAYG type account for 'Skypeout' which lets you call out to normal telephone numbers anywhere in the world for quite reasonable rates (useful when combined with the free one above -> call relative accross the other side of the world with a cheap 30s call, tell them to turn on their PC, call them on the internet and chat for free for as long as you like).

You can also send SMS messages but not receive replies to them

you are able to sign up to monthly fee/subscription type options and have them give you a 'normal' phone number and have people phone you at your PC (but only works when your PC is on and you're signed in, i find this less useful and don't have it

to get started at a very basic level sign up for an account, configure your webcam if you have one, a headset with microphone is ideal but these days your laptop might well have a built in mic that would work with/without normal headphones but not as well.

Then of course you'd need someone else with skype to try calling/talking to

tronator

stefano wrote: »

I am a Skype virgin, and my notebook has Skype installed. What exactly is Skype, what does it do and how would I get started?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=skype

hairymonster2000

Well, most of the advantages given above are available just by using messenger so skype doesn't really offer you anything. Calling phones with skype isn't particularly cheap on payg either.

Just send a text to get your friends/relations on-line.

Richie-from-the-Boro

stefano wrote: »

I am a Skype virgin, and my notebook has Skype installed. What exactly is Skype, what does it do and how would I get started?

- been using it since it was invented
- anywhere in the world for as long as you like [ computer to computer ] free of charge
- full video / Martini style [ anyplace / anytime / anywhere.
- the puter to phone is a fraction of the going rate example 2p per minute to SA
- cheaper still get them to ring you / don't pick up the phone / GOSkype

hairymonster2000. messenger was years behind Skype at offering video