by Liz Ross
Manager, Business Initiative Group

Hello to all the newbie computer users and the regulars.  My very first edition is going to be about Skype - what it is and how to use it.  
 
What is Skype?  

Skype allows you to send instant messages (email), transfer files (attachments) make voice calls (landline and mobile), connect to your Facebook friends, and send SMS.

But the most exciting feature of using Skype is the ability to come face to face with your friends and family from all over the world using the video call facility. This is as simple as making a phone call with the added benefit of seeing the person (or people) you're talking to on your screen. Best of all you can make calls from one Skype user to another for FREE!

You can also call purchase credit and make calls to land lines and mobiles.  The one good thing about this is, as you are talking to another person, you can watch the cost of your call.  

Skype is actually a software application that you can download for free over the internet.  

And so you can show you're keeping up with the IT crowd, the modern technology meaning for this is called VOIP which stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol, because instead of using the traditional phone land line, you are using an Internet connection.

Now, I can see some of you saying there is no such thing as FREE and why would I want to use it.  Well for those that like running trivia nights, Skype has actually been around since April 2003 when the Skype.com and Skype.net domain names were registered. So, it has been around for a long time and people are now starting to recognise the benefits of having Skype.

Now to those of us like me who shudder with the amount of email that comes through, wouldn’t it be great if we relied more heavily on video conferencing?  

It is seen as being a more productive communication technology with colleagues, clients and other users (but you do miss out on the free trips out of the office if you rely on Skype to video conference).

How do you download Skype?  

For the novice computer user:

1    Click on Internet Explorer or your preferred browser and go to Google (www.google.com.au)
2    Type in the search bar 'Skype Free Download'
3    The first entry will be the Get Skype – Download for Free
4    Now look closely - are you a WINDOWS user, a MAC user, want to put it on your iPhone, mobile etc.  Select according to your requirement.
5    If you want the Free version, click on the blue box that says DOWNLOAD.
6    There are 4 steps to downloading.  Follow the prompts.
Finally you should see  Welcome to Skype box in blue.  This is where you sign in and start finding your friends and contacts.

Getting started on Skype

To get started first come up with a Skype name and you will need to have a password.  Some people use their own names and some create user names. However, it is best if you want people to find you, use a name that can be found by friends, family etc.

As it is over the Internet, I have been asked how I know someone is calling me.  It is not like a land line and you hear the ring.  

You need to set up times when you will be on Skype. You need to make a time that suits you both, but make sure you are looking yummy - you are up in FNQ, so frock up, and enjoy!