Skype Quick Start Tutorial

What is Skype?

Skype is free voice over IP software for PC and Mac. It is an extremely cost-effective, convenient way to communicate. Specific useful features include:

• Make free Internet calls to anyone else on Skype, anywhere in the world.
• Text chat with one person or have a group chat with up to 100 people at a time.
• Conference call (VoIP) with up to nine other people for free.
• Easily send files and photos to each other.

Getting Started

Download Skype

â–¡   Go To http://skype.com

â–¡   Click Download Skype button

â–¡   Install Skype by double-clicking install icon (PC) or dragging image file to application folder (Mac)

â–¡   NOTE:  During Install process, you will be asked to decide whether to install the Skype  extension for Firefox. We recommend that you don’t.  It’s buggy still.

â–¡   Open Skype application (It may open automatically)

Create Your Account

â–¡   Click Create New Account button in dialog box that opens

â–¡   Fill out account info

â–¡   Log in if you were not automatically logged in

â–¡   Call the contact in your list and follow the Sound Test directions. This will ensure that your account is working.

Your Contacts

â–¡   Add people to your contact list (Contacts > Add Contact)

â–¡   IM people in your contact list (Right click on contact and select IM)

â–¡   Call people in your contact list (Select contact and click on Call button)

* For more about Chat/IM, see http://distance.nmsu.edu/externals/plunge/chat/index.html.

* For discussions, help, and ideas related to using Chat & IM for teaching and learning, see our NMSU eLearning community site at http://nmsu-elearning.near-time.net/wiki/Welcome