SKYPEBy Neil Harrow

ABOUT SKYPE…

Skype, which is a member if the Microsoft family, is a company that specializes in connecting people over the internet, by letting them video or voice call with each other.

According to Skype’s website, Skype is “for doing things together, whenever you’re apart. Skype’s text, voice and video make it simple to share experiences with the people that matter to you, wherever they are.” (www.skype.com)

Skype is free to download, and calling computer to computer (or device to device) via Wifi internet, is also free. However, with recent developments, by paying either a prepaid amount or a monthly fee, one is able to use Skype for more. For example it is now possible to use Skype as a source of internet, call home telephones, call cellphones, and have group or conference calls.

HISTORY

Skype was first released in August, 2003.

The creators are called Janus Friis and Niklas Zennstrom. From Denmark and Sweden, respectively.

The creators worked closely to launch the product with the creators of Kazaa (A file sharing company)

In 2005, Ebay agreed to buy a large percentage of Skype and then sell 65% of it to various companies, including Silver Lake.

Microsoft purchased Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion! It is currently part of the Microsoft group.

The main offices and HQ for Skype can be found in Luxembourg and Estonia.

The original software for Skype was created by a group of Estonian computer experts.

In 2012, Skype controlled 35% of the world market share of international calls.

(www.skype.com) (www.Microsoft.com) (www.techland.time.com)

SHOP

In order to maximize their profits, Skype have an online store where they sell products relevant to their main product.

In the store one can purchase a range of products from webcams, Skype credit, microphones, headsets, home phones, cell phones, tablets, and even computers.

SKYPE IN THE WORKPLACE

As Skype evolves, more and more people are using Skype in the workplace, including me.

Skype has many features for a smaller cost than other competitors, that allows people to communicate in large groups, make long distance calls, and even file share through Skype.

These develops have changed the way in which people communicate in the workplace, especially in businesses where workers have to go abroad or out of state to work.

Another advantage of Skype for a busy person is that is can be downloaded as an APP and used on any smart phone or tablet, which means any 4G or wifi connection makes it possible to communicate on the go.

THE SKYPE APPLICATION

To the left, you can see an example of the Skype app on a smart phone.

Free to download, the App is very similar to the desktop program, where there is chat, full screen video calling, and the basic home screen which allows you to navigate through all the options that Skype has to offer, such as viewing recent calls, contacts, profile, search, and more.

The Skype app is available on all smart phones.

SKYPE CODE OF CONDUCT (ETIQUETTE)

Skype even has a code of conduct on their website to guide users what to do and what not to do when using the product. According to www.skype.com, one should NOT:

Use vulgar, profane, offensive or obscene language.

Post or request sexually explicit images or other offensive content.

Exploit a minor in any way.

Use racially, religiously or sexually offensive language.

Discuss illegal activity, such as how to get drugs and how to make bombs.

Ask for or offer sexually explicit images, and/or material harmful to children.

Harass, threaten, embarrass, or do anything else to another Skype user that is unwanted.

Infringe anyone else's intellectual property rights, including but not limited to any copyright, trademark, rights of publicity, or other proprietary rights.

Impersonate or represent Skype.

Link to content not allowed on Skype.com.

Try and get a Skype’s member's password or other account information.

Post or request personal or other information from a minor (any person under the age of 18).

HOW DO I FIND YOU?

If you want to add a contact on Skype, in order to be able to view when they are online, you can use the search tool (right).

With the search tool, you can search the person’s Skype username, full name, or email address. The results will show the username and location of the person. The location is very useful in case you search for a friend with a common name (for example, John Smith).

STATUS

To keep up with other social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, Skype has included a new status bar.

The status bar lets you tell others what your thoughts are, what you are doing, or pretty much anything you want.

Right, you can see a Skype and a Twitter status.

FILE SHARING

With skype, you can share files at the click of a button.

There are two ways to do this:

1- Dragging a file from your computer into the chat box.

2- Using the send file button.

This means if you are discussing a certain file with your friend or colleague, you can easily send them the file to allow them to see it immediately, without any cost.

SKYPE EXPLAINED BY VIDEO

The following is a very simple but effective video to explain the functions of Skype. It maps out different ways in which Skype can be used, and clearly demonstrates why Skype was invented.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1mflr-kQlk

(www.youtube.com)

SKYPE IN THE CLASSROOM

Skype is being used more and more in the classroom, and I wanted to share and example of how.

Through a program called EDUSKYPERS, people (mainly in North America) have incorporated Skype in their classrooms as an educational tool, ranging from Kindergarten all the way through to Higher Ed.

One teacher, Steve Okeefe, who teaches Kindergarten, inserted Skype into his curriculum to bring authors of his students’ favorite books into the classroom, to read to them. (www.eduskypers.com)

Steve decided took the idea from the Annick Press program, which originated the idea of using Skype video chat to give authors and teachers the opportunity to be present in classrooms via the internet, to be able to read to the children (in this example). (http://eduskypers.wikispaces.com/)

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Skype is a very successful and useful company, owned currently by Microsoft, that began in 2003 as a method of calling friends via the internet.

As Skype evolved, it added multiple features such as video calling, conference calling, file sharing, in-class Skyping, and much more.

With the technological developments, particularly with tablets and smart phones, Skype is now available on the move via the Skype app (free to download).

As Skype continues to lower costs and proves to be one of the most reliable and cost effective options, more and more businesses are choosing to use it as their primary source of communication.

With the variety of functions, Skype has now replaced many competitor softwares and can be used as an all-in-one communication tool on one’s computer.

(www.slideshare.com)