Skype Video Conferencing
User Guide, FAQ and Help

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Complete Guide to Skype Video Conferencing:

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"Skype" for Free Desk-Top Video Conferences?

It is now 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 Webcam. The 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 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 a 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 Skyp, Skypee, Skypie, Skpye, Skyppe, Skipe, Scipe, Skaip, Skaipie, VoIPDownloadVC, VIOP, 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 Skype-compatible headphone/microphone head-set or the built-in microphone and speaker if you are using a laptop.
3. A PC-compatible webcam - sometimes already built into your laptop.
4. A Broadband
internet connection
5. The Skype software - free download from Skype - no cost - no contract - no obligation!

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

How to Include Participants who can't Skype

6. To include non-Skype participants (voice only, but very low cost), put at least $15 of "SkypeOut" credit into your Skype account. This
is not required if you only want to video-conference with other Skype users.
MasterCard and Visa are OK, but a free PayPal account is the easiest and safest payment method!

7. Read Video Conferencing books and manuals to maximise the effectiveness of your Skype V-C system.

Skype Books we Recommend:

Skype For Dummies - the name says it all!

Skype Hacks: Innovative and Fun Tips & Tools - ideal guide for new Skype ring tones and fun on-hold music or replacing your "regular" phone service altogether.

Skype - From Single User to Small Enterprise and Beyond - the author is one of the most recognized and respected authorities on Skype.

Skype - The Definitive Guide - written by Skype insiders, this is the only official guide to Skype.

Skype "EasyGuide" Booklet - read how to get the most out of Skype. FREE!

More Skype Books and Manuals to learn the Secrets of Skype.

Looking for the Book Present that will Never Disappoint? Give a Amazon Gift Card! (from $10, delivery by e-mail, Facebook or post)

Installation Procedure:

Download the free software from Skype.com - Installation instructions are on the download screen. For help, get VoIP Textbooks and Guides!

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 message back to you.

Use Skype to take part in Conference calls:

You can use Skype to hold conference calls with up to 25 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: Calls to other Skype users are free; calls and SMSs to phones are very cheap. Skype also provides free video, IM-style chat and file transfers. Features such as voice-mail and local "land-line" phone numbers in 20 countries can be purchased extra. Click here for more information on Skype!

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".

Skype for Business:

Skype is great for business communication: free video-conferencing between national and international offices, voice mail and call forwarding, regional and international "local call" numbers, , MS Outlook integration, free central management of your account usage and easy expenditure reports with allocation to employees/cost centres, etc.

Watch the video, then check out the Business Control Panel!

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.
Ch. 1: Introduction
Ch. 2: What is "Voice over IP" (VoIP)?
Ch. 3: Why use VoIP? (Real-life user stories)
Ch. 4: What is "Skype"?
Ch. 5: What do I need to use "Skype"? (PC compatibility)
Ch. 6: What type of Internet connection is required to use Skype? (incl. list of compatible internet services)
Ch. 7: I don't have a PC / Internet. What do I do?
Ch. 8: How do I install Skype? A step-by-step pictured guide
Ch. 9: OK, now let's test Skype!
Ch. 10: It's WORKING! So let's call someone!
Ch. 11: What do my calls cost?
Ch. 12: How do I send less-than-half-price SMSs?
Ch. 13: Using the Skype Instant Messaging (IM) chat function
Ch. 14: Getting the most out of Skype: Sending files, voice-mail, security, etc.
Ch. 15: TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

Each chapter explains the functions and set-up of Skype in step-by-step detail. Pictures show how it is done. Each chapter has a "What if..." trouble-shooting section! The authors of the "Skype EasyGuide" booklet, Sandra Thompson and Robert Northman, are non-technical users like you who have learnt the hard way and are now sharing their experiences with us...
Download your FREE 27-page "Skype EasyGuide" booklet now.

Skype VoIP News

VoIP on Real Estate and Tourism
Friday, 3rd February 2012
Companies dedicated to tourism have incorporated the 800 numbers service, offered from VoIP providers as a re-routing of the call, with no charge for the person calling, which has facilitated the amount of customers interested in staying a few days in a hotel outside town, or take a trip down the Volcano in Costa Rica or the beaches in Cancun. These people have understood that bringing a direct line between them and their customer is the warmest, most logical way to approach people that might or might not decide to spend their money and make the trip in any case...

VoIP Proves Its Disaster Recovery Credentials
Friday, 3rd February 2012
Recent events seem to indicate that point is a more sturdy technology than the PSTN system. Natural disasters such as earthquakes have a lesser impact on it.

Make Affordable Calls Through VoIP
Friday, 3rd February 2012
VoIP has now become a force to reckon with in the telecommunication sector. Phoning based on voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology not only facilitates economical calls but also provides other features like call forwarding, call waiting, voicemail and three-way calling without any additional cost.

Better Living Through VoIP Service
Thursday, 2nd February 2012
Internet has touched our lives in such a way that our standard of living has really gone heights. Communication is something that is very imperative in the modern competitive world and it could be said that through VoIP service our lives has been made better or the standard has increased. Even around the corner of the world we receive information and with the escalating technology and consistent upending of the web our communication over the phone have literally changed and it has been made effective.

More Info:

More cool features and sites:

The VoIP Skype FREE download site: www.Skype.com
Info on cheap SMS Texting using Skype
Skype compatible head-sets and phones.
Read Books and Guides on Video Conferencing to unlock the secrets of Voice-over-IP
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, 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

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
Read VoIP Textbooks and Guides to unlock the secrets of Voice-over-IP

Providers of Video Conferencing products and services, on this site!

We are not part of or associated with Skype. Skype™, SkypeOut™, SkypeIn™, Skype Me, the "Skype" and "S" logos are trademarks of Skype Limited.