|
|
 |
Untitled Document
Step-by-step procedures for downloading Skype from the Internet and installing it on a computer
This chapter is designed for beginning computer users and for people who want detailed instructions for downloading and installing Skype. This chapter includes a more detailed set of step-by-step procedures for downloading Skype from the Internet and installing it on a computer.
Installation Summary
Downloading and installing Skype is simple and straightforward, provided that you have a stable connection to the Internet and meet the minimum system requirements listed in Table 3-1.
View Table
Here is a brief overview of the process of getting started, regardless of the computing platform you are using:
- Download the appropriate Skype application program from the Skype Web site (www.skype.com).
- Register and create a Skype account.
- Plug in a headset, microphone and speakers, or phone that works with your computer.
- Test that your setup is working properly.
- Start making calls; sending instant messages (IMs); or transferring files to your friends, family members, or business associates.
Generally, you don't need to know anything about computer networking, firewall and router configuration, or other networking gear. Occasionally, however, a new Skype user may have trouble connecting to Skype for the first time because he has a software firewall installed.
If you have a software firewall such as Norton Personal Firewall, Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security, Zone Alarm Pro, McAfee Firewall Pro, or the one that comes with Windows XP Service Pack 2, in some cases you may need to reconfigure it to work with Skype. This and other advanced setup topics are covered in Appendix C
To use Skype, you will not need a special voice service plan or special hardware (such as the type of telephony adapter that many voice application service providers require to translate the electrical signals in your phone into network information packets suitable for communicating over the Internet). You will need a headset, speakers and a microphone, or a USB handset.
2. Things You Need to Know | Next Section
Things You Need to Know
To get the best sound quality and take advantage of the advanced features in Skype, you need a reasonably fast computer, a way to hear and speak (headset, handset, or set of speakers and a microphone), and a broadband connection to the Internet (DSL, cable, or broadband cellular wireless). You can install and use Skype with a dial-up connection over the traditional telephone network, however, as long as you are not uploading or downloading other data at the same time.
Headsets, microphones/speakers, and USB handsets are available at computer retailers; most office-supply stores; and many online retailers, including the Skype Accessories Store (www.skype.com/store/).
And although you don't need an expensive headset to get good sound quality, getting one with a built-in microphone will make a big difference in your Skype experience. Some people claim that the inexpensive headsets work as well as the more expensive ones on PCs.
Minimum System Requirements
For you to be able to use Skype software after you install it, your computer must meet the minimum system requirements shown in Table 3-1.
How Much Does Skype Cost?
Downloading, installing, and using Skype on a computer are free when you communicate with people who are also using Skype on their computers. Skype does charge for value-added services, however (such as SkypeIn and SkypeOut), and there are natural costs associated with the basic computer setup and network access needed to connect to the Internet and run Skype.
Computer Connection and Headset Costs
To run Skype on a computer, you need a desktop, laptop, or Pocket PC device with sound capabilities, as well as a broadband connection. If you want to use Skype Video, you will also need a Webcam.
Skype works adequately on a 56K dial-up connection, but it is advisable to upgrade to a DSL, cable, or cellular broadband service to get the best possible sound. For minimum and recommended system requirements, refer back to Tables 3-1 and 3-2.
You also need a headset or speakers and a built-in or plug-in microphone. You can acquire a decent headset from the Skype Store or a retailer in the United States (such as Radio Shack) for as little as $12 U.S., and some people claim that the inexpensive headsets work as well as the more expensive ones on PCs.
Companies such as Plantronics and Logitech sell premium headsets with features like noise cancellation, higher-quality speakers, folding ability, and ergonomics in different styles at prices ranging from $12 to $75 U.S. Companies including Motorola sell wireless Bluetooth headsets for approximately $100 U.S.
Alternatively, you can use a handset like the Linksys cordless phone or the CyberPhone, which plugs into your computer's USB port. The USB handsets cost approximately $75 U.S., and the residential dual-mode cordless phones ring in at around $175 U.S. Again, you do not have to have a fancy or expensive headset to enjoy using Skype.
Webcams are available from companies such as Logitech, Creative Labs, and Hewlett-Packard. They range in price from $20 to $150 U.S., depending on image resolution and features.
Skype-to-Skype Is Free
If you have access to the Internet, there is no charge for using Skype for voice calls, instant messaging, and transferring files between two Skype accounts (and for conference calls to up to five Skype accounts). Calls from one Skype account to another are always free.
Voicemail
Skype offers free voicemail with a SkypeIn subscription, or a separate voicemail subscription for 3 months or 12 months. Currently, subscriptions are approximately $5 U.S. for three months and $15 U.S. for an annual subscription.
Test Your Connection Speed (Optional)
If you plan to use Skype with a dial-up connection, it is highly recommended that you test your connection speed before you download and install Skype. If you find that your Internet connection speed is less than 56 kilobits per second (Kbps), consider upgrading to a broadband connection of at least 128 Kbps.
Internet connection speed refers to the rate of speed at which data transfers between the Internet and your computer. Put simply, it is the amount of time it takes your computer to download (or upload) a certain amount of data.
You can find any number of Web sites that offer tools for testing the speed of your Internet connection. The best way to find one is to use your favorite search engine and look for "testing Internet connection speed."
Internet-connection-speed tools allow you to see how fast your connection actually is, regardless of the type of connection you have, how fast the connection is rated, and the kind of computer you use to browse the Web.
Here are some popular Web sites that offer tools for testing your connection to the Internet:
Installing Skype on Microsoft Windows 2000/XP
To install Skype on your computer, you need to download the Skype application from the Skype Web site; save the installation file on your computer; and then begin the actual installation process, using an installation wizard that takes you through each step of the process.
This section discusses the steps for downloading and installing Skype on a Windows PC running Windows 2000, Windows XP Home Edition, or Windows XP Professional.
Note
You may notice minor differences between what is covered in this book and what you see during the installation process, because the Skype Web site, application software, and installation tasks are evolving continually to improve the Skype experience.
Downloading Skype to Your Windows PC
- Open Internet Explorer or your favorite Web browser, and enter www.skype.comin the address bar.
- Click the Download link on the Skype Web site; click the Windows link; and click Download Skype. You will see the Skype for Windows Web page. Wait a moment, and under normal circumstances you will see the File Download window, which should display after 10 or 15 seconds. If the File Download window fails to display automatically, go ahead and click the Download Skype for Windows link.
- When you see the File Download window, click Save, as shown in Figure 3-1.
- Decide whether you want to use the default folder to save the Skype installation file that is about to be downloaded, and click Save, as shown in
Figure 3-2 Saving the Skype installer on your computer
It does not matter where you save this file as long as you remember where it is. Common alternatives to the default location are the Windows Desktop or My Documents folder.
Note
Saving this installation file on your hard disk does not automatically install Skype on your computer. This file is simply a package that contains the Skype Setup Wizard, as well as all the necessary files that Skype needs to install.
Note
Downloading this installation file takes a few minutes. The 7MB file SkypeSetup.exe can take some time, depending on the speed of your Internet connection.
- When you are ready to begin downloading the file to your computer, click OK.
When the download is complete, the installation may begin automatically. If it doesn't, close the File Download window. If the Skype Setup Wizard begins automatically, skip to step 2 in the next section to continue.
Using the Skype Setup Wizard
To install Skype on your PC, follow these steps:
- When you have closed the File Download window and are ready to install Skype, locate and double-click the Skype installation file, SkypeSetup.exe , that you just downloaded to your computer. You will see the Skype Setup Wizard.
- Decide which language you prefer, and click Next.
- Read the Skype license agreement; select I Accept the Agreement
Figure 3-3 Accept the Skype license agreement
Note
Skype does not install any spyware, malware, or adware on your system.
Warning
If you live in the United States, you need to be aware that Skype currently does not support 911 emergency calls. If you try to call 911 from Skype, you will not be connected.
- Decide whether you want to use the default folder to install Skype on your computer or choose an alternative location; then click Next. By default, Skype chooses C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone . This is fine unless you have a reason to install it somewhere else.
- Choose which additional installation tasks should be performed
- By default, Skype will start automatically and then run in the background when you turn on your computer. If your computer usually is connected to the Internet, this option is fine.
If your computer generally is not connected to the Internet, do not have Skype start automatically, because when your computer boots up and is not connected to the Internet, Skype will continue trying to connect to the Internet until it succeeds or you quit the application.
- Other options include creating a desktop icon and/or quick-launch icon. Choosing one or both of these options is fine. A desktop icon allows you to start Skype by clicking an icon on your desktop. A quick-launch icon displays in your Windows taskbar.
- Click Next. The process of installing files on your hard disk should take less than a minute.
- Complete the Skype Setup Wizard
- If you are interested in late-breaking news about the version of Skype you are installing, or if you have previously installed Skype and are upgrading to a newer version, you may want to review the online release notes.
- Complete the Skype installation by clicking Finish.
Now you're ready to create a new Skype account. You may want to install the optional Skype toolbar or jump directly to Chapter 4.
Installing the Skype Web Toolbar (Optional)
You can install the optional Skype toolbar for Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Outlook to streamline your Skype use and take advantage of enhanced Web-based Skype features. The Skype Web Toolbar lets you access Skype directly from Internet Explorer 5.0 or later, Firefox, or Outlook on a PC running Windows XP or Windows 2000.
The Skype toolbar allows you to:
- Launch various Skype functions from your browser window without having to open a Skype window. This means that from your browser, you can check to see which of your contacts is online, make calls, or start chats. You can also check your balances or go directly to the Skype Web site.
- Open a regular Web page and have Skype automatically identify any telephone numbers and convert them to SkypeOut links. You no longer have to leave your computer, pick up the phone, and dial a number.
To install the Skype Web Toolbar, you need to download the toolbar installation file from the Skype Web site, save the installation file on your computer, and then execute the installation process and toolbar configuration.
To install the Skype toolbar, follow these steps:
- Open Internet Explorer or the Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and go to the Skype Web site.
- Click the Download link; then click the Skype for Windows link. You see the Skype for Windows Web page.
- Click the Skype Web Toolbar link; then click Get It Now.
- Decide whether you want to use the default folder to save the Skype Web Toolbar installation file, which is about to be downloaded. It does not matter where you save this file, as long as you remember where it is. Common alternatives to the default location are the Windows Desktop or My Documents folder.
Note
Saving this installation file on your hard disk does not automatically install the Skype toolbar on your computer. This file is simply a package that contains all the necessary files that need to installed for the toolbar to work in concert with Skype.
- When you are ready to begin downloading the file to your computer, click OK. Downloading this installation file is quick. The file can take from a few seconds to a few minutes to load over a broadband connection.
- When the download is complete, close the File Download window, if it is still open; find the Skype toolbar installation file you just downloaded, and double-click it.
- Read the Skype license agreement; select I Accept the Agreement; click Next; and continue until the installation is finished.
- Close Internet Explorer Mozilla Firefox; then restart your browser. When you restart the browser, you will be notified that another program wants to use Skype, and you will be prompted to authorize the application.
- Choose the option Allow This Program to Use Skype All the Time.
Note
Authorizing the application to use Skype only allows the browser toolbar to access Skype. It does not allow access from any other Web pages or scripts.
- Configure the Skype Web Toolbar to select the locale (language), Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox behavior preferences, toolbar buttons, and default search engine.
You are done. Now you're ready to create a new Skype account. Skip to Chapter 4.
Uninstalling Skype from Windows
You can uninstall Skype the same way that you uninstall any Windows software program. Follow these steps:
- Choose Start > Control Panel or Settings > Control Panel.
- Select Add/Remove Programs.
- Select Skype.
- Click Remove. The Skype application will be uninstalled.
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
){kind=link}