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Gary's Skype Page
Last Updated: December 23, 2007
Skype is a free PC to PC "phone call" program that
has been getting
attention. It's based on P2P (Peer to Peer) from the makers of KaZaA which might
make you leery at first. I've been using it at home since early December, 2003.
The audio quality is quite incredible so even if you've tried other PC to PC
"phone call" programs in the past and were disappointed, this is worth trying. You may use speakers and a
microphone but a headset with a boom microphone is better when using Skype.
Headsets are available at many stores (Wal-Mart, Target, Radio Shack or any
electronics store) for as cheap as $15-$20 on up.
You can use Skype to call other Skype users, call regular landline or mobile phones
(SkypeOut), receive calls from regular landline or mobile phones (SkypeIn),
make conference calls, group chat, voicemail (Skype Voicemail), video and file transfer. SkypeOut
allows you to use Skype to
call regular and mobile phones from your PC at fairly reasonable
rates. All you have to do is install Skype (you'll need the latest
version) and then purchase SkypeOut
calling credits. Of course, the first thing you'll want to tell the person
you're calling is that if they were using Skype too, you both could talk for
free...;-) View the
SkypeOut Price List.
Disclaimer:
SkypeOut rates and currency exchange rates are subject to change, verify rates
for yourself.
Here is the Skype web site and several online reviews of it in case you would
like to find out more about Skype.
Skype Resources, Add-ins and projects:
- First, ensure that your headphones and microphone are working correctly. One way
that you may do this is by using the Windows Sound Recorder. This is usually
available via Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Entertainment -> Sound
Recorder. Try recording your voice in your microphone using Sound Recorder and
then playing it back in your headphones. If you can record your voice and hear
it played back, you're ready to proceed. If not, you'll need to check your sound
setup and correct it before proceeding. (This procedure varies depending on
which version of Windows you are running and what sound card software you have
installed. Start by looking for the Windows "Volume Control" icon in your
system tray [displayed in the image below this section].) You may also
visit the
Skype Sound And
Audio Set Up guide for more help.
- Connect to the Internet.
- Next, review the
Skype User Guides so
that you'll know what to expect when you install Skype. If you still have
questions, visit the Skype Frequently Asked Questions page.
- Go to Skype.com
and select the "Download Skype" button.
- A "File Download" window will open. Click on the "Run" or "Open" button.
- It will take several minutes to download. When it finishes you will see a
"Welcome to the Skype Setup Wizard" window. It should already say "English".
Select the "Next" button.
- You will then see a License Agreement window. Read every single word to
keep your lawyer happy...;-) Click the dot in front of "I accept the
agreement" and then select the "Next" button.
- On the "Completing the Skype Setup Wizard" window, leave the checkbox
checked for "Launch Skype" and select the "Finish" button.
- If you have a firewall installed, it may display messages at this time. In this
example, I'll presume you have ZoneAlarm installed. You may have 1-3 ZoneAlarm
messages pop up at this point. On each ZoneAlarm message, put a check in the
checkbox in front of the words that say something like "Remember this answer the
next time I use this program" and then select the "Yes" button.
- Skype will open its window at this point too. You can just close it for now by
clicking on the "X" in the upper, right of its window. It will still be running
in the system tray (bottom, right corner of your desktop somewhere to the left
of the time display). It looks like a lime green rhombus with a check in it when
you are online and gray when you are offline [as shown in the image below].
- You're ready to Skype! Jump to the "Using Skype" section below.
- Connect to the Internet.
- Find the Skype icon in the bottom, right corner of your desktop (in the system
tray usually near the time display). Right-click on the green Skype icon and
then left-click on the "Quit" option in the menu that pops up to close Skype
completely.
- Go to Skype.com
and select the "Download Skype" button.
- A "File Download" window will open. Click on the "Run" or "Open" button.
- It will take several minutes to download. When it finishes you will see a
"Welcome to the Skype Setup Wizard" window. It should already say "English".
Select the "Next" button.
- You will then see a License Agreement window. Read every single word to
keep your lawyer happy...;-) Click the dot in front of "I accept the
agreement" and then select the "Next" button.
- On the "Completing the Skype Setup Wizard" window, leave the checkbox
checked for "Launch Skype" and select the "Finish" button.
- If you have a firewall installed, it may display messages at this time. In this
example, I'll presume you have ZoneAlarm installed. You may have 1-3 ZoneAlarm
messages pop up at this point. On each ZoneAlarm message, put a check in the
checkbox in front of the words that say something like "Remember this answer the
next time I use this program" and then select the "Yes" button.
- Skype will open its window at this point too. You can just close it for
now by clicking on the "X" in the upper, right of its window. It will still be
running in the system tray (bottom, right corner of your desktop somewhere to
the left of the time display). It looks like a lime green rhombus with a check
in it when you are online and gray when you are offline [as shown in the image
below].
Testing Your Sound Setup
To test your sound set up in Skype for Windows or any other Skype version,
you can use the testing robot " echo123"
- just click here to call her!
You can add her in your Contacts. She will answer all your calls and Instant
Messages. This way, you can try if your headset, speakers and/or microphone
are working properly.
Gary's note: You can also send her a chat message saying "call
me" and she will call you back.
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