Skype For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer Tech))

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 360 pages
• Published by: For Dummies January 17, 2007
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0470048913
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0470048917
• Book Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Weighs: 1 pounds

Product Description
See how to use Skype for secure chats and connect SkypeOut and SkypeIN. Here's the fun and easy way (r) to understand all the hype about Skype and make this cool alternative communication system work for you! You'll get great advice about hardware, directions for downloading and installing Skype, ideas for using Skype in your business, and the lowdown on making Skype calls to people with old-fashioned phones.

Discover how to:

• Install Skype and start making calls
• Create a contacts list
• Set up voicemail and call forwarding
• Use Skype for worldwide conference calls and Skypecasting
• Enhance Skype with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi wireless, and video

Back Cover Copy
Set up Skype on Windows, Mac OS® X, or PocketPC

See how to use Skype for secure chats and to connect using SkypeIn and SkypeOut

Here's the fun and easy way to understand all the hype about Skype and make this cool alternative communication system work for you! You'll get great advice about hardware, directions for downloading and installing Skype, ideas for using Skype in your business, and the lowdown on making Skype calls to people with old-fashioned phones.

Discover how to

• Install Skype and start making calls
• Create a contacts list
• Set up voicemail and call forwarding
• Use Skype for worldwide conference calls and Skypecasting
• Enhance Skype with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi wireless, and video

Reader Reviews
Skype is one of those applications that has completely rewritten the rules of an industry. No more does the phone company hold sway over who you can and can't communicate with, as well as how much it is going to cost you. Skype for Dummies by Loren & Susan Abdulezer and Howard Dammond gives an excellent guide to the product, as well as to many of the add-ons that regular users may not be aware of... Contents: Part 1 - Getting Started with Skype: What's All the Hoopla about Skype?; Hooking Up with Skype; Getting Familiar with Skype's Interface Part 2 - As You Like It - Skype Your Way: Customizing Skype Options to Suit Your Style; Getting Personal; The Mad Chatter; Skyping Eye to Eye - Skype with Video; The Ins and Outs of SkypeIn and SkypeOut Part 3 - Calling All Seasoned Skypers: Managing Your Messages; Partying On - On the Conference Line!; Spicing Things Up with Great Gadgets and Add-Ons Part 4 - The Professional Skyper: "Skypifying" Your Business; Exploring Skype Communities; Skypecasting Part 5 - The Part of Tens: Ten Reasons Your Mom (and Other Family) Will Love Skype; (Almost) Ten Ways to Promote Your Business Using Skype; Ten Ways to Use Skype at School Appendix A: Skype Multilanguage Support; Appendix B: Skype Tips and Tricks Guide; Index For the person who has never used Skype and doesn't know about VoIP telephony, this is a perfect, non-threatening introduction. There's enough background on why Skype is important and how it works without descending into complete geek-speak. The authors take you through download, installation, configuration, and your first call. If that's all it did, the book would be OK for a certain target audience, but fortunately it goes beyond that. For people beyond the basics, you'll find out about conference calling as well as other third-party add-ons to the Skype product. For instance, Pamela is an add-on that record calls, remind you of personal details about the person you're calling, and various other nice items. I downloaded and installed it, and it's a nice addition. I also didn't know about designing your own avatar for viewing on Skype. Granted, avatars are not exactly mission-critical, must-have features, but it was fun to do and would have remained hidden to me without a book such as this bringing it to my attention. My particular occupation (software development) and profession keeps me in regular contact with friends all over the world. Without Skype, I'd be restricted to email or instant messages. Reading this book has reinforced the need to keep my headset plugged in and nearby for incoming Skype calls. It's also motivated me to check out getting a webcam for video chatting. That will shrink my world even further. Yes, I could find out about all this stuff in Skype without reading a book. But having Skype for Dummies at hand made it much easier to review what I didn't know about the software, as well as tweaking my work setup to take better advantage of it. Good book, and definitely recommended for those who want to talk to people all over the world without it costing an arm and a leg...