Getting Started with Skype

The “home” page for Skype is http://www.skype.com, however, UDS suggests visiting the link: http://www.skype.com/products/ first, because it will take you directly to the Overview web page to read the “What is Skype?” introduction.

UDS recommends reading the Overview page to familiarize you with the features and functions offered. Coming at the end of this overview is a “cool” tool that will display each individual Skype program screen you will have for your use. It is worth flipping through these different screens once or twice. When you’ve finished reading, select the link in the left hand margin named: “Skype for Windows” to be taken to the Skype for Windows web page.

The Skype for Windows web page offers you the link to begin downloading the 7.3 Mega Byte Skype installation wizard. There you will also find directions for installation, as well as, minimum hardware requirements. I don’t think too many of our customers will have a problem meeting the minimum system hardware requirements.

Basically, installation entails saving the download file to a familiar folder on your PC and then using Windows Explorer™ to browse to where you saved it, and then double-clicking on the file name to start the installation wizard. From this point on follow the prompts and answer the few questions until the installation finishes.

A few clarifications on features:

Skype offers instant messaging quite similar to what many of our customers may already use via Microsoft’s “Instant Messenger” program. Skype calls this “Chatting”. You will type a short text message and send it, then wait for a text message response back.
Skype members can send large files to each other without the typical file size limitations imposed by basic email. The time it takes to send and receive these files is of course governed by the speed and reliability of your connection to the Internet.
Skype members can carry on an audible conversation with other Skype members at no cost. Skype refers to this activity as “Skype Calls”. “Skype Calls” travel between your computer and the other person’s computer over the Internet rather than from telephone to telephone. This is the real difference between a Skype call and a telephone call.
Headphones with an attached microphone are recommended for the best quality Skype calls and are plugged into your computer. Your local tech support may be helpful if some tweaks to your system’s volume controls are necessary. UDS can’t guarantee the quality you are able to achieve, but believes most of our users will find the quality satisfactory.
After the Skype program is installed you will notice on the Skype program screen that there is a “Help” button that you can select for documentation to appear. Select this Help button and then select Help again in the drop down menu that appears. A list of subjects to learn about will be presented. Select the “Adding a Contact” to learn how to find and then send a request to be added as a contact.
After browsing the help topics list, we suggest selecting the “Getting Started” option on the Help button drop down menu.
With an additional software program from Skype named “Skype Out”, you can call a non-Skype user on their telephone through your computer over the Internet. There is a charge per call when using Skype Out. UDS does not subscribe to Skype Out at the present time.

After installing Skype use Add Contact to request to connect to Skype name (address): weswhiteuds for support. Jeff is also available at jeff_uds. Brian has two names one for his desktop PC and one for his Tablet PC. They are: briandontje and briandontjefl respectively.

We hope that in most cases you will be able to contact UDS Support via Skype on your first try, but remember we go through periods where we receive many questions and inquiries, and we may be unavailable at times to respond to everyone immediately. You always have the option of trying again later using Skype again or sending an email or leaving a voice mail, whatever is most convenient for you at the time.

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