 Complete Guide and Information on installing and using Skype Free Desktop Video Conferencing - see the detailed instructions and links below. This web page is a community service to assist with simple set-up of free Video-Conferences. FREE: PC faxing - send and receive faxes without a fax machine! QUICKLINK: Save on video-conference costs - recharge your Skype credit here! Connect to the latest Skype Video-Conferencing Updates here:  
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| "Skype" for Free Desk-Top Video Conferences? It is not widely known that Skype includes free video-conferencing from the desk-top since January 2006 (V2.0.0.69). 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. On 15 November 2007, Skype released V3.6.0.216 for Windows which now supports “High Quality Video", ie. quality and features are similar to those found in middle-range V/C systems, eg. full-screen and screen-in-screen modes. Of course, this requires reasonable fast PC and internet connection. Skype estimates that one in four calls already involve video, so the "High Quality Video" capability is expected to boost the popularity of video calls - both for professional collaborations across the globe and for staying in touch with family and friends. Skype also allows you to make free voice calls, Instant Messaging (IM) and file transfers to other Skype users. It also allows very low cost phone calls to normal phones or mobiles and SMS messages to mobiles. 
By the way, it is not spelt Skypie, Skpye, Skyppe, Skipe, Scipe, Skaip, Skaipie or Viop, Vidoe Confrencing, Confrenece or Confrence... What do I need to use Skype Video-Conferencing? 1. A computer running Microsoft Windows, Apple OS X or Linux. 2. A headphone/microphone head-set - look for Skype-compatible head-sets on Amazon.com,  bargain head-sets on eBay or use the built-in microphone and speaker if you have a laptop. 3. A PC-compatible camera ("web cam" - sometimes also already built into your laptop). Check out these independent web-cam reviews first! 4. A fast internet connection. 5. The Skype software - free download from Skype You are now ready to make free video conferences with other Skype users! 6. To include non-Skype participants (voice only, but very low cost), put at least $15 of "SkypeOut" credit your Skype account. This is not required if you only want to video-conference with other Skype users. Buying Skype credit is secure & reliable, but to ensure safe browsing we recommend: . MasterCard and Visa are OK, but a free PayPal account is the easiest and safest payment method! Installation Procedure: Download the free software from Skype.com Test Skype: Test the Skype Video-Conference set-up:  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 test 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 test message back to you. Use Skype to take part in Conference calls: You can use Skype to hold conference calls with up to 10 participants which may include participants on normal phones using SkypeOut. From the Skype menu, go to Skype -> Call -> Start Conference Call... If you want to use Skype to participate in conventional phone conferences, it is quite simple: 1. You will need to have some SkypeOut credit 2. You call the conference call dial-in number 3. If requested, use Skype's keypad to mouse-click the PIN number
4. The cost is ~$0.02 a minute So, what else can Skype do for me? Skype allows you to make and receive calls from your PC: Use the Skype file-transfer function: Very useful, especially during video conferences - you can exchange files in the background. Use the Skype Instant Messaging (IM) function: Also very useful during video conferences: you can communicate with individual participants via IM-style "chat". P Save our Planet - use Amazon's Green Products! Can't wait? FREE Amazon 2-Day Shipping for your whole household! Skype for Business: The Skype Business Control Panel usage
and SkypeIn numbers and produces comprehensive expenditure reports with cost centre allocation.More cool features and sites: The VoIP Skype FREE download site: www.Skype.com Info on cheap SMS Texting using Skype. Get Skype phone bargains on eBay. Get books on Video Conferencing from Amazon.com. Skype support web site http://Support.Skype.com | |||
| Skype Security and Technical Information | |||
| Make Skype secure: It is preferable to exclude your personal data (birthdate, sex, 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. ● To prevent constant taskbar notifications as people go online/offline, go to Skype -> Tools -> Options -> Notifications and unclick "Display Notification in the Windows tray when someone..." -> "... comes online"!
More at www.skype.com/security/safety/safety.html. Are Skype Video-Conferences secure? Skype is encrypted end-to-end because it uses the internet to transport your voice calls and text messages and sometimes these calls are routed through other peers. Skype encryption ensures that no-one can eavesdrop on your call or read your instant messages. What Standards does Skype support: While Skype uses the TCP/IP internet standards to communicate and AES encryption (see above) standard, the actual communication mechanism uses proprietary peer-to-peer VoIP technology (see www.joltid.com and www.GIPSCorp.com). Skype at this point in time cannot interoperate with other Video-Conferencing systems. Archiving Chat Sessions: You can view and export any chat session. Type the command into the lower chat window, preceded by a forward-slash "/": | |||
| /history /htmlhistory /find "text" | Display the full history for the chat in the chat window; you can then search and review it Export the full history for the chat into your internet browser; you can then print or save it Find messages containing "text" in the chat window (Example: /find Sydney) See
more Skype chat commands. | ||
| More technical information: Skype User Help & Support Page Official Skype Release Notes: https://Developer.Skype.com/WindowsSkype/ReleaseNotes Get VoIP textbooks from Amazon.com. Providers of Video Conferencing products and services, on this site! | |||
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