Skype Download & Skype Secrets

What do You need to use "Skype"?

You are now ready to make free calls to other Skype users!

Skype Books we recommend:

So, what can Skype do for You?

Skype allows you to make and receive calls from your PC, calls to other Skype users are free; SMSs/Texts to phones are very cheap. Skype also
has free video, IM-style chat and file transfers.  Check out this LONG list of Skype features!!!

Click here to get your own local landline number in 20 countries that will ring in on Skype on your PC.

And what can't Skype do?

If you want to send and receive faxes from your PC, ONLY 0.09% click here for a FREE 30-day trial of the eFax Complete Internet Fax Service, no fax machine needed!

Step 1: Download the free software from Skype.com - follow the installation instructions on the download screen.

Step 2: Make a Test Call:

Entering "Echo123" to do a Test Call.

After you have installed Skype, type in the Skype-name "Echo123" into the Skype-name/phone-# field (see picture on left) and click on the green phone-button.  An automated system will answer your call, ask you to record a test message and replay that message back to you.  If you appear to have problems with your microphone or speakers, go to Skype's Sound Set Up Guide for instructions on how to set up and test your headset, microphone and speakers.

If you send a "Call me" chat message to "Echo123", the automated system will call you, ask you to record a 10-second test message and replay that message back to you.

Step 3: Make calls to people who have Skype:

If you know their Skype-name, type it into the Skype-name/phone-# field and click on the green phone-button.  If the other person is at their computer, they will hear Skype ringing, can accept the call and you can talk for free as long as you like.

Step 4: Make calls to people who do not have a computer and/or Skype:

Use Skype for Video-Conferencing:

It is not widely known that  Skype has provided video-conferencing from the desk-top since 2006-07 with features similar to those found in professional systems.  Desk-top video-conferencing can eliminate the need for special video-conferencing equipment and rooms.  For existing Skype users, the only additional technical requirement is a web-cam.  The call costs are the same as for Skype voice conferences, eg. free to other Skype users.

It is estimated that one in four calls already involve video - both for professional collaborations across the globe and for staying in touch with family and friends.  Click here for more information on Video Conference!

Use the Skype Call-Forward function:

Very useful when you are not at your computer. Your calls are forwarded to any phone number, local or overseas.  Note that you will need Skype credit for the forwarded calls.

Undocumented Feature: You can forward your calls for free to another Skype name, eg. from your home PC to your work PC.

Use the Skype Instant Messaging (IM) function:

Very useful, especially during phone conferences or if the voice line breaks - you can still communicate via a IM-style "chat".

Use the Skype file-transfer function:

Very useful, especially during phone conferences - you can exchange files in the background.

Use the Skype cheap SMS function:

Send SMS Texts to any cell/mobile/hand phone - but at half-price or less!  Click here for more Skype SMS Texting info.

Send Faxes using Skype:

Pamfax integrates with Skype and can send low-cost faxes worldwide.  The Skax service is web-based.

What type of Internet connection does Skype need?

The Skype EasyGuide Booklet:

This FREE comprehensive booklet covers all aspects of installing and using Skype.  A special section shows how to get the most out of Skype.

Skype Security and Technical Information

Make Skype secure:

It is preferable to exclude your personal data (birthdate, gender, home number, etc.) from your personal profile as it is visible and searchable for>100 million Skype users.

• To prevent getting rogue calls, go to Skype -> Tools> Options -> Privacy and click the two "Only people from my Contacts can ..." options!
• Do the same in the Tools> Options -> Video to prevent rogue video connections.
• You may also want to "neutralise" your profile (File -> Edit your Profile) by removing your gender and birth date - this will discourage rogue requests based on your gender and age.
• To prevent constant taskbar notifications as people go online/offline, go to Skype -> Tools -> Options -> Notifications -> "Display Notification in the Windows tray when someone..." and unclick "comes online"!

More at www.skype.com/security/safety/safety.html.

Access your Skype Account:

The main reason to access your account is to set your SkypeOut currency, your notification e-mail address and to disable the SkypeOut automatic
recharging.  You can also check your SkypeOut calls and SMSs there.  Go to http://skype.com/go/myaccount.

How to prevent Skype "SuperNodes" from consuming your Internet Bandwidth:

Skype relies on using users' computers as "SuperNodes" to operate its peer-to-peer network, so consuming users' bandwidth.  You can prevent Skype from using your Windows PC as a "SuperNode" by the following procedure:

1. Disable Skype from starting when Windows starts.
   
2. Disallow Skype modifying your Firewall settings (Tools -> Options -> Advanced -> Connections).
3. Enable the Windows XP Firewall and un-check Skype on the "Exceptions" tab.

Avoid Skype scams:

Beware of Skype "phishing" e-mails. Similar to the well-known banking scams, these e-mails look as if they come from Skype and ask you to click a link to "validate" or "re-activate" your account on a Skype-look-alike web page.  The aim of these fraudulent e-mails is to get access to your Skype account and any credit you may have.  DO NOT respond to these e-mails and delete them immediately!  Skype does not ask for your password via E-mail.  Skype only asks you for your password when you log into the Skype program or directly log onto their website at http://Secure.Skype.com.

For more information on how to verify that an e-mail is from Skype, see http://Support.Skype.com.

Using Skype as an Internet Connection Indicator

Checking if your internet connection is "live" is not so easy.  Because the pages you browse could be coming from a cache or your connection may be having DNS problems, experts use "ping" for this.  But the green/grey Skype indicator in the Windows taskbar gives a reliable display if your connection is "up": Internet connected =     Offline =

How to run Skype from a USB stick:

Running Skype from a USB stick (rather than installing it) can be very useful, because this "portable" version allows you to run Skype on any computer.  If you are away from your home or office PC, you can plug your USB stick with portable Skype into any computer (internet cafe, office, friends, etc.) without needing to install Skype and use Skype as normal.  Being portable, Skype runs independently without requiring or leaving any information on the host PC.

1. Make a folder named "Skype" and create a "Data" subdirectory
2. Copy the file "skype.exe" into the "Skype" directory (download the latest version for free)
3. In the "Data" subdirectory, create a text file "Skype.bat" containing: skype.exe /datapath:"Data" /removable

4. Run the program from your USB stick...

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