Skype is a program designed to communicate via text messages, chat or voice communication (with or without video). In recent years, this program has become very popular and displaced from the world of virtual communication all similar programs. Skype today is actively used not only at home but also at work. Employees of most businesses and organizations communicate using Skype with each other and with clients.
The popularity of Skype is due to its ease of use, versatility and low cost. So, a video call from your computer to any other computer will be completely free regardless of the country where your interlocutor lives. With Skype you can make calls to mobile and landline phones anywhere in the world. The cost of such communication, especially when calling in foreign countries, is much lower than other standard ways.
The program Skype has many hidden secrets and features that are useful to know if you actively use Skype.
If you press 3 or 4 nearby buttons and hold them for a few seconds, the interlocutor will see his hands breaking a pencil in the chat window. If you simultaneously press three non-adjacent keys, a cat will appear. Perhaps, the creators of Skype assumed that a cat can get on the keyboard and this sign will inform about it. The image of the animal will not disappear until you erase the message written in this way.
Another effect can be achieved if you haphazardly press a large number of keys. In this case, the interlocutor will see in a chat fists pounding the keyboard.
Drawing together
Sometimes it happens when you need to quickly sketch a picture, a scheme or a plan while working on a project together. In this case it’s very convenient to use a virtual whiteboard, with the help of which several people can simultaneously edit the same image. This feature is provided by the WhiteBoardMeeting module. This add-on is very similar to the usual text editor, but differs by the fact that several people can work on the same image, where this module is naturally installed.
Such a virtual board allows you to draw, control color and shape, insert text, images, save the finished masterpiece in most popular formats, print the finished picture, etc.
Users can create multiple images at the same time, with each one displayed as a separate tab. Drawing on WhiteBoardMeeting is done in real time and each interlocutor sees the position of the user’s cursor.
Collaborative presentations
Skype gives you the ability to showcase your desktop. Interlocutors can view the same document together, edit it, or draw on it. The demonstration is done in real time, so that the interlocutor can watch the movement of your cursor.
To enable this option, you need to establish a connection with your interlocutor and select the “Share – Show Screen” command. You can show the entire screen as well as a certain selected area.
This option is very useful if you want to show, for example, how to set up a printer, install software or to visually show a specialist a problem with your computer.
Skype Audio Player
Secrets of Skype – Audio Player The Skype Audio Player module is a very convenient way to share music with your chat partner. Connecting with a user with a voice chat and running this player, you can listen to audio files of MP3, WAV, WMA format for both interlocutors.
To work with Skype Audio Player, install NET.Framework. User can adjust the volume of the music, mute or pause the player, find the best balance between the volume of the music played and the volume of the voice during the conversation.
Video conferencing
Secrets of Skype – Skype video conferencing Skype allows you to communicate simultaneously with several interlocutors via video conferencing. Their number can be from 3 to 10, but it is recommended – no more than five people. Also, users must have a high-speed channel. This service is very useful in business communication, when working at home, when you need to talk to several colleagues or clients at the same time, to discuss something.
Today the video conference service is free, but only for a small number of interlocutors (no more than five). If there are from 5 to 10 people in the conference, at least one participant of the conversation must be signed up for Skype Premium. The cost of the subscription is about 7 euros per month.
Skype as a surveillance camera
You can use Skype to remotely connect to your home PC and see what’s going on in your room. You need two accounts and a webcam. On your home PC, you first need to create a “service” user and add your account to their contact list.