Skype, the popular online communication app, has been around for a very long time, originally launching back in 2003. It’s widely considered one of the easiest and cheapest ways to stay in touch with others across the world, and it works great for both personal and business communications.
If you’re unfamiliar with the app, here are some handy tips on how to get to grips with it.
Getting started with Skype
Setting up an account with Skype is as easy as any other social app. To open an account, simply visit the Skype homepage and click the Join Us button. You can choose whether you want to log in with an existing Facebook or Microsoft account, or you can create a new account from scratch.
If you choose to connect Skype with your Facebook account, you’ll be able to view your Facebook News Feed and contact your Facebook friends in Skype without having to add all of your contacts manually.
On the Facebook News Feed in Skype, you can hover your mouse over your friend’s update, which will immediately show whether or not they’re available for phone or video calling. If your Facebook friend also has Skype, you can call them for free by tapping Call Skype.
Sorting out your profile settings
When setting up your account, you’ll be given the option to customise little details, such as changing your profile picture. To edit these things, simply click on your Skype name in the upper left-hand corner and all of your profile settings will appear.
From there, you’ll be able to edit your phone number, email, gender and birthday, plus add little a blurb about yourself in the About Me section if you want to. You have the option to include as little or as much information as you want.
Sharing content with friends
One of the best advantages of using Skype chat is that you can share your photos, videos and files with your friends and family, completely free of charge. Best of all, there is no limit to the number of files you can send or receive through the app, meaning you can share and share to your heart’s content.
To send files to your Skype contacts, simply click on the chat you want to send the file to, then click the + button and select Send File. Then, browse files and choose the one you want to send, and when you’ve selected what you want, the files will be sent to the recipients in the chat straight away. If you’re in a hurry, you can also go directly to your contact list and right-click the person to whom you wish to send a file.
Even if you’re careful and only share files with friends, Skype recommends using an up-to-date antivirus software that can scan any and all files that are sent to you, just to be on the safe side.
