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Skype Me!
From Single User to
Small Enterprise and Beyond
Michael Gough, SkypeTips.com
Salman Abdul Baset •Joshua Brashars •Larry Chaffin
Michael Cross • Dan Douglass
Michael Sweeney
FOREWORD
BY BILL CAMPBELL
SKYPE JOURNAL
Syngress Publishing, Inc., the author(s), and any person or firm involved in the writing, editing, or production (collectively “Makers”) of this book (“the Work”) do not guarantee or warrant the results to be
obtained from the Work.
There is no guarantee of any kind, expressed or implied, regarding the Work or its contents.The Work is
sold AS IS and WITHOUT WARRANTY.You may have other legal rights, which vary from state to
state.
In no event will Makers be liable to you for damages, including any loss of profits, lost savings, or other
incidental or consequential damages arising out from the Work or its contents. Because some states do not
allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, the above limitation
may not apply to you.
You should always use reasonable care, including backup and other appropriate precautions, when working
with computers, networks, data, and files.
Syngress Media®, Syngress®, “Career Advancement Through Skill Enhancement®,” “Ask the Author
UPDATE®,” and “Hack Proofing®,” are registered trademarks of Syngress Publishing, Inc. “Syngress:The
Definition of a Serious Security Library”™, “Mission Critical™,” and “The Only Way to Stop a Hacker is
to Think Like One™” are trademarks of Syngress Publishing, Inc. Brands and product names mentioned
in this book are trademarks or service marks of their respective companies.
KEY
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SERIAL NUMBER
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PUBLISHED BY
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Rockland, MA 02370
Skype Me! From Single User to Small Enterprise and Beyond
Copyright © 2006 by Syngress Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in Canada. Except as permitted
under the Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any
form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of
the publisher, with the exception that the program listings may be entered, stored, and executed in a computer system, but they may not be reproduced for publication.
Printed in Canada
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
ISBN: 1-59749-032-6
Publisher: Andrew Williams
Acquisitions Editor: Gary Byrne
Technical Editors: Michael Goughand
Salman Abdul Baset
Technical Proofreader: Neil Lindsey
Page Layout and Art: Patricia Lupien
Copy Editor: Darlene Bordwell
Indexer: Rich Carlson
Cover Designer: Michael Kavish
Distributed by O’Reilly Media, Inc. in the United States and Canada.
For information on rights, translations, and bulk purchases contact Matt Pedersen, Director of Sales and
Rights, at Syngress Publishing; email matt@syngress.com or fax to 781-681-3585.
Author Dedication:
For my daughter, for without her I would have never known
how wonderful and rewarding being a father could be.
To all those that helped in this project by testing, reviewing and contributing,
thank you!
A Word from the Author:
Skype is an ever moving target with updates and new products being released
all the time. As you read this book you may find that Skype or a product has
been updated with a newer version. Know that even though Skype may look
different, or a product was updated, the features or content still applies. Just find
the equivalent item in the new version and go with the flow.There are many
products, both software and hardware we did not cover or that came out after
we completed the book. We will update www.skypetips.com/
web_pages/skype_me.html with any updates to the book or feedback we
receive so that you can have access to the latest information.
We hope you enjoy the book and it helps you understand the world of Skype
and how you can use the latest in Voice technology over the Internet to communicate with your family and friends and explore the many options Skype has
to offer to improve your communication experience and make life a little more
fun and cost effective.
v
Syngress Acknowledgments
Syngress would like to acknowledge the following people for their kindness and
support in making this book possible.
Syngress books are now distributed in the United States and Canada by O’Reilly
Media, Inc.The enthusiasm and work ethic at O’Reilly are incredible, and we
would like to thank everyone there for their time and efforts to bring Syngress
books to market:Tim O’Reilly, Laura Baldwin, Mark Brokering, Mike Leonard,
Donna Selenko, Bonnie Sheehan, Cindy Davis, Grant Kikkert, Opol Matsutaro,
Steve Hazelwood, Mark Wilson, Rick Brown,Tim Hinton, Kyle Hart, Sara Winge,
Peter Pardo, Leslie Crandell, Regina Aggio Wilkinson, Pascal Honscher, Preston
Paull, Susan Thompson, Bruce Stewart, Laura Schmier, Sue Willing, Mark Jacobsen,
Betsy Waliszewski, Kathryn Barrett, John Chodacki, Rob Bullington, Kerry Beck,
and Karen Montgomery.
The incredibly hardworking team at Elsevier Science, including Jonathan Bunkell,
Ian Seager, Duncan Enright, David Burton, Rosanna Ramacciotti, Robert
Fairbrother, Miguel Sanchez, Klaus Beran, Emma Wyatt, Chris Hossack, Krista
Leppiko, Marcel Koppes, Judy Chappell, Radek Janousek, and Chris Reinders for
making certain that our vision remains worldwide in scope.
David Buckland, Marie Chieng, Lucy Chong, Leslie Lim, Audrey Gan, Pang Ai
Hua, Joseph Chan, and Siti Zuraidah Ahmad of STP Distributors for the enthusiasm with which they receive our books.
David Scott,Tricia Wilden, Marilla Burgess, Annette Scott, Andrew Swaffer, Stephen
O’Donoghue, Bec Lowe, Mark Langley, and Anyo Geddes of Woodslane for distributing our books throughout Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji,
Tonga, Solomon Islands, and the Cook Islands.
vi
Lead Author
and Technical Editor
Michael Gough is host and webmaster of www.SkypeTips.com,
which was launched in January 2005 and receives more than
100,000 hits per month, and www.VideoCallTips.com, which
receives more than 30,000 hits per month. Michael writes articles
on Skype and related issues. He also explains Skype’s options and
instructions to users so that they can practically apply Skype at
home and in the workplace. Michael also evaluates products used
with Skype and provides feedback to the vendors on features and
improvements to help drive the direction of Skype-related products.
Michael is also the host and webmaster for the Web site
www.VideoCallTips.com, which is focused on helping people
understand how to make video calls to family and friends, and
maintains ratings of the many video call solutions available.
Michael’s full-time employment is as a computer security consultant with 18 years’ experience in the computer technology field.
Michael works for a Fortune 500 company, where he delivers security consulting services to their clients. Michael also presents for his
company at many trade shows and conferences and works with
associations and groups, advising agencies like the FBI on Skype
security and the Center for Internet Security on wireless security.
vii
Technical Editor
Salman Abdul Baset is a first-year Ph.D. student in the computer
science department at Columbia University. His areas of research
include multimedia and peer-to-peer networks, ubiquitous computing, network security, reverse engineering/hacking of programs,
and privacy. He holds an M.S. in Computer Science from Columbia
University and a B.S. in Computer System Engineering from
Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences & Technology
in Pakistan.
Contributing Authors
Joshua Brashars is a telecommunications specialist in San Diego,
CA. Joshua spends most of his time tinkering with voice-over-IP
applications and the rest of his time working with Secure Science
Corporation, breaking things apart. Joshua would like to thank his
family, friends, Johnny Long, Lance James, and all of his hacker
friends for their undying support.
Larry Chaffin (CISSP, PMP, JNCIE, MBCP, CWNP, NNCSE,
NNCDE, CCNP, CCDP, CCNP-WAN, CCDP-WAN) is the
CEO/Chairman of Pluto Networks and the Vice President of
Advanced Network Technologies for Plannet Group. He is an
accomplished author; he cowrote Managing Cisco Network Security
(ISBN: 1-931836-56-6) and has also been a coauthor/ghost writer
for 11 other technology books for VoIP, WLAN, security, and
optical technologies. Larry has more than 29 vendor certifications
such as the ones already listed, plus Cisco VoIP, Optical, Security,
viii
VPN, IDS, Unity, and WLAN. He is also certified by Nortel in
DMS Carrier Class Switches along with CS100’S, MCS5100, Call
Pilot, and WLAN. Many other certifications come from vendors
such as Avaya, HP, IBM, Microsoft, PeopleSoft, and VMware. Larry
has been a Principal Architect around the world in 22 countries for
many Fortune 100 companies designing VoIP, Security, WLAN, and
optical networks. His next project is to write a book on Nortel
VoIP and a new security architecture book he has designed for VoIP
and WLAN networks.
Michael Cross (MCSE, MCP+I, CNA, Network+) is an Internet
Specialist/Computer Forensic Analyst with the Niagara Regional
Police Service (NRPS). He performs computer forensic examinations on computers involved in criminal investigation. He also has
consulted and assisted in cases dealing with computerrelated/Internet crimes. In addition to designing and maintaining
the NRPS Web site at www.nrps.com and the NRPS intranet, he
has provided support in the areas of programming, hardware, and
network administration. As part of an information technology team
that provides support to a user base of more than 800 civilian and
uniform users, he has a theory that when the users carry guns, you
tend to be more motivated in solving their problems.
Michael also owns KnightWare (www.knightware.ca), which
provides computer-related services such as Web page design, and
Bookworms (www.bookworms.ca), where you can purchase collectibles and other interesting items online. He has been a freelance
writer for several years, and he has been published more than three
dozen times in numerous books and anthologies. He currently
resides in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, with his lovely wife,
Jennifer, his darling daughter, Sara, and charming son, Jason.
ix
Dan Douglass (MCSE+I, MCDBA, MCSD, MCT, Brainbench
.Net Programmer Job Role) is the Special Projects Manager with a
cutting-edge medical software company in Dallas,TX. His latest
venture is as President/Owner of a new technology firm, Code
Hatchery. He currently provides software development skills and
internal training and integration solutions, as well as peer guidance
for technical skills development. Dan’s specialties include enterprise
application integration and design; HL7, XML, XSL, C++, C#,
JavaScript, Visual Basic, and Visual Basic.Net; database design and
administration; Back Office and .NET Server platforms; Network
design, including LAN and WAN solutions; all Microsoft operating
systems; and Mac OS X, FreeBSD, and Linux. When he has free
time, Dan teaches programming, database design, and database
administration at a prominent Dallas university. Dan is a former U.S.
Navy Nuclear Submariner and lives in Plano,TX, with his very supportive and understanding wife,Tavish.
Dan wishes to extend special thanks to his mother-in-law, Sue
Moffett, for all her love and support through the years.
Michael Sweeney (CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, MCSE, SCP) is the
owner of the Network Security consulting firm Packetattack.com.
Packetattack.com’s specialties are network design and troubleshooting, wireless network design, security, and analysis.The
Packetattack team uses industry-standard tools such as Airmagnet,
AiroPeekNX, and NAI Sniffer. Packetattack.com also provides digital forensic analysis services.
Michael has been a contributing author for Syngress for the
books Cisco Security Specialist’s Guide to PIX Firewalls (ISBN: 1931836-63-9), Cisco Security Specialist’s Guide to Secure Intrusion
Detection Systems (ISBN: 1-932266-69-0), and Building DMZs for
Enterprise Networks (ISBN: 1-931836-88-4).Through PacketPress,
Michael has also published Securing Your Network Using Linux (ISBN:
1-411621-77-8).
x
Michael has recently joined the ranks of “Switchers” where he is
not using two OS X Macs full-time in security work and day-today activities. He keeps a running blog on his misadventures and
discoveries about Apple, OS X, and Macs in general at
hackamac.packetattack.com.
Michael graduated from the University of California, Irvine,
extension program with a certificate in communications and network engineering. Michael currently resides in Orange, CA, with
his wife, Jeanne, and his three daughters, Amanda, Sara, and Olivia.
Foreword Contributor
Bill Campbell is the Technical Editor of the Skype Journal
(www.SkypeJournal.com). He authored the first Skype API
Guidebook (being published in 10 languages) for the Skype
Development Community. As CEO of Qzoxy Software Inc., he
developed the first Presence Server for managing online user status.
As the inaugural member of the Skype Developer Program, he continues to be one of a handful to test all new Skype products. About
a third of his career was spent as a manager at the Hewlett-Packard
Company. Fifteen years ago, Bill founded the PTCompany,
www.theptcompany.com, which specialized in business process
reengineering and project management tools. Bill and his team provide consulting services to help corporations define their Skype
strategies or to develop products around the Skype API. Bill lives in
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
xi
Contents
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxix
Part I: Getting Started with Skype. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Chapter 1 An Overview of Skype. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
What Is All the Hype about Skype? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
What Are VoIP, Voice Chat, or Voice Calls? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
VoIP for the Home User . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Voice Chat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Skype Architecture (Basic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Peer-to-Peer Technology (Basic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Peer-to-Peer Conferencing (Basic/Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Skype Options (Basic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Skype Security (Basic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Chapter 2 Installing Skype. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Requirements to Make Voice Calls (Basic and Advanced) . . .14
Personal Computer (PC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
PC Laptops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Apple Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Apple Laptops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Pocket PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Headsets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Bluetooth Headsets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Linux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Connection Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
LAN-Based Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
A Word about Upload and Download Speed . . . . . . .18
Wireless-Based Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
802.11a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
xiii
xiv
Contents
802.11b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
802.11g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Modem-Based Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Recommendation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Testing Your Existing Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Testing Your Audio Capability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Check That You Have a Sound Card . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Apple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Linux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Pocket PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Installing Skype for Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Installing Skype for Pocket PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Downloading Skype for the Pocket PC . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Download Directly to the Pocket PC . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Download to Your Computer and Launch the Skype
Installer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Download to Your Computer and Copy the Installer to
Your Pocket PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Installing Skype for Mac OS X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Installing Skype for Linux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Linux Installation Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Installing a Precompiled Skype for Linux Package . . .40
Generic Tarballs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Chapter 3 Getting Started Using Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Signing Up As a User . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Switching between Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Adding or Searching for Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Adding Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Searching for Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Basic Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Advanced Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Starting a Chat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Making a Test Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Making Your First Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Putting a Call on Hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Contents
Muting and Unmuting the Microphone . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Hanging Up the Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Inviting Others to Join Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Setting Your Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Offline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Skype Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Not Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Do Not Disturb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Invisible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Basic Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Save and Cancel Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
General Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
When I Double-Click a Contact Name,
What Happens? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Show Emoticons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Show Me As… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Related Tasks: Editing Your Skype Profile . . . . . . . . . .69
Privacy Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Anyone Can … . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Only People from My Contacts Can … . . . . . . . . . .72
Only People Whom I Have Authorized Can … . . . . .73
Allow Calls From . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
Allow Chat From . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Keep Chat History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Related Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Notification Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
Related Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Tasks Bar Icon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Sound Alerts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Hotkeys Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
While in Chat, Pressing Enter Will … . . . . . . . . . . . .83
xv
xvi
Contents
Chapter 4 Basic Features of Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Selecting or Changing Your Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Understanding Skype’s Status Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Not Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Do Not Disturb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Calls Are Being Forwarded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Offline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Offline with Voice Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Pending Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Using Chat or Instant Messaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Setting the Double-Click Option to Start a Chat . . . . . .88
Hiding the User Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Starting an Instant Message or Chat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Chat History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Deleting Chat History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Setting a Chat Topic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
Recent Chats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Bookmarked Chats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Using Emoticons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
Changing the Font . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Inviting More Users to a Chat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Handling File Transfers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
Sending a File in a Chat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
Sending a File Directly from Windows Explorer . . . . . .103
Sending Files to Multiple Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
Sending a File in the Main Contacts Window . . . . . . .107
Sending a File While in a Voice Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
Relayed File Transfers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
Making Voice Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Conference Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Add a Contact to an Existing Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Managing Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Sending Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Importing Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Contents
Chapter 5 Common Uses for Skype. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Talking with Family and Friends for Free or Low Cost . . . .124
e911 Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
411 Information Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Skype and Faxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Lower-Cost Long Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
Cell Phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
SkypeOut Primer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
Alternative to Plain Old Instant Messaging . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
Running Multiple Instances of Skype on One System . . . .128
Make Sure You Have Multiple Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
Adding Another Windows User . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
Launching Skype with Run As . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
So What Can I Do with Two Instances of Skype? . . . . .135
Practical Application of Running Multiple Instances
of Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
Internet Speed Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
Part II: Taking Skype to the Next Level . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Chapter 6 Advanced Features of Skype. . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Advanced Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
Advanced Profile Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
Details That All Skype Users Will See . . . . . . . . . . .143
Personalizing Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
Providing Information Without
Compromising Personal Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
Other Ways Your Profile Allows People to Know You 147
Private Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
Details That Only Your Contacts Will See . . . . . . . .149
Configuring Sound Alerts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
Play Sounds for … . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
Sound Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154
Skype Sound Device Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154
If You Have Two Sound Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
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Making a Test Call to Ensure Your Settings
are Correct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
Connection Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
Skype Connection Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
Skype’s Advanced Options Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
Startup Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
Call Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
Chat Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
Other Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162
Associate Skype with callto: Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162
Using the Display Technical Call Info Option . . . . .164
Input/Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164
Call Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165
Codec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165
Packet Loss and Other Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166
Jitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166
SessionIn and SessionOut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167
Relays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
UDP Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
CPU Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
Call Forwarding and Voice Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
Forwarding Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
Voice Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
Setting Up Voice Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
Using Voice Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
Advanced Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
Decentralized Peer-to-Peer Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
Components of Skype’s Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
Client Software or Nodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
Login Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
Global Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
Encryption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177
Supernodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177
Advanced Peer-to-Peer Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
File Sharing and P2P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
Skype’s P2P Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
Contents
Skype’s Premium Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
SkypeOut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
Using SkypeOut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
SkypeOut Dialing Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
International Dialing Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
SkypeIn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186
Setting Up SkypeIn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186
Using SkypeIn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Forwarding SkypeIn Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189
Other Advanced Topics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189
Editing the Skype Language File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .190
Other Tips and Tricks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192
Chat Tips and Tricks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192
Drag and Drop in Chat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192
Using System Commands in a Chat . . . . . . . . . . . .193
Command-Line Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194
Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195
Chapter 7 Software Add-ons for Skype. . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Expanding Skype’s Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
Voice Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
Your Own Answering Machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
Pamela . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199
Features of Pamela Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199
Features of Pamela Standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200
Features of Pamela Professional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200
Answering Machine by YapperNut (AMY) . . . . . . . . . .201
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202
Features of AMY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202
SAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204
Features of SAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204
Advanced Options Dialog Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
Recording Skype Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
Hot Recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
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Features of Hot Recorder Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
Features of Hot Recorder Premium . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
SkyLook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208
Features of SkyLook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208
PowerGramo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209
Features of PowerGramo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209
Integrating with Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210
Skype for Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Look2Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Features of Look2Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
SkyLook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213
Features of SkyLook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214
SMS Text Messaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214
Connectotel SMS to Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
Features of SMS to Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
Connectotel Skype to SMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
Features of Connectotel Skype to SMS . . . . . . . . . .216
Forwarding Your Skype Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
iSkoot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
Features of iSkoot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
SkypeCasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217
Skype Casting for Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217
Virtual Audio Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
Features of VAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
Pamela . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Features of Pamela Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Features of Pamela Standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220
Contents
Features of Pamela Professional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220
Nicecast for the Mac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221
Features of Nicecast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
Skype Web Toolbars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
Other Plug-ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224
MuteForSkype Music Player Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224
Features of MuteForSkype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224
MiTunes Music Player Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225
Features of MiTunes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .226
SkypeIt! Mozilla Mail and Thunderbird E-Mail Plug-in 226
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .226
Features of SkypeIt! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .226
Skype Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227
mcePhone for Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227
Features of mcePhone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227
Skype Forwarder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229
Features of Skype Forwarder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229
Free Tools from Skypeteer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
Skypeteer Keep It Simple Status Indicator
(KISSI) Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
Skypeteer World Clock Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
Skypeteer IE Extension Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
Skypeteer Call Calculator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
Free Tools from s3ven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
Outlook Skype Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
Skype Tools Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
Skyp2Out Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
Skype Backup Tool Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
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Chapter 8 Hardware Add-ons for Skype . . . . . . . . . . . 233
How to Use This Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234
Headsets, Microphones, and Speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234
Bluetooth Headsets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235
Plantronics CS-50 USB Bluetooth Headset . . . . . . . . .235
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235
Features of the CS-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235
Telephone Gateways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236
VoSky (Actiontec) Internet Phone Wizard . . . . . . . . . .237
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .238
Features of the Internet Phone Wizard . . . . . . . . . . .238
VoSky (Actiontec) Call Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .239
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .239
Features of the VoSky Call Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . .239
YapperNut YapperBox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240
Features of the YapperBox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
RapidBox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
Features of the RapidBox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .242
SkyBox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .242
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .242
Features of the SkyBox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243
iPMate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243
Features of iPMate Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .244
Telephone Adapters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .244
PhoneConnector Phone Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245
Features of the PhoneConnector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245
PCPhoneLine VTA1000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246
Features of the VTA1000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246
USB Phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
DualPhone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
Contents
Features of the DualPhone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248
Linksys CIT200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249
Features of the CIT200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249
Siemens M34 USB Gigaset Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251
Features of the Siemens M34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251
VoSky USB Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252
Features of the VoSky USB Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . .252
SimplyPhone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253
Features of the SimplyPhone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253
US Robotics USR9600 and USR809600 . . . . . . . . . . .254
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254
Features of the USR9600 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254
IPEVO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255
Features of the IPEVO Free-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255
PCPhoneLine VPT1000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .257
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .257
Features of the VPT1000 Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .257
CyberPhone K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .258
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .258
Features of the CyberPhone Devices . . . . . . . . . . . .259
Speaker Phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .259
VoSky Chatterbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260
Features of the VoSky Chatterbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260
CyberSpeaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261
Features of the CyberSpeaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261
IO Gear USB Speaker Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262
Features of the IO Gear USB Speaker Phone . . . . . .262
Desktop VoIP Phone with Speaker Phone . . . . . . . . . .263
xxiii
xxiv
Contents
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .263
Features of the Desktop VoIP Phone with
Speaker Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .263
Other Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .264
MPlat Flash Phone Portable USB Phone . . . . . . . . . . .264
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .264
Features of the MPlat F1K Flash Phone . . . . . . . . . .265
Chapter 9 Getting the Most out of Skype. . . . . . . . . . 267
Using Skype without Sitting at Your Computer . . . . . . . . .268
A Word about REN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .268
For the Home User (Windows Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .268
Existing Cordless Telephone with
Answering Machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .269
Replacing Your Existing Telephone System . . . . . . .273
Skype Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .273
For the Small Business User (Windows Only) . . . . . . . .274
Skype Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .274
For the Medium-Sized and Large Business User
(Windows Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .275
Using Skype with Your Local and Long Distance
Phone Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276
Making Video Calls with Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278
Personal Video Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279
Upload Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280
Internet Speed Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280
Webcam Choice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280
Screen Size or Screen Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .282
Bandwidth Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .282
Frame Rate versus Image Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .282
Video Call Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284
Spontania Video4IM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284
Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284
Disadvantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285
Where to Get Video4IM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285
Contents
Making a Video Call with Video4IM and Skype . . .287
Santa Cruz Networks Festoon (Formerly VSkype) . . . .289
Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .289
Disadvantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .289
Where to Get Festoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .290
Microsoft MSN Messenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293
Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293
Disadvantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .294
Where to Get MSN Messenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .294
Chapter 10 Being Mobile with Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Using Skype with Your Laptop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .298
Available USB Ports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .298
Using Skype with Pocket PCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300
Pocket PC Cell Phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300
Samsung i730 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .301
Siemens SX66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .302
iMate K-Jam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303
Sprint PPC-6700 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304
HP HW6710/6715 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .305
Using Skype with Smartphones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .305
AudioVox SMT5600 (Orange SPV C500) . . . . . . . .306
Samsung i600 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .307
Motorola MPX220 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .308
Nokia 6630 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .309
Nokia 6680 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .310
Using Skype with Wireless Pocket PCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311
USB Phones for the Mobile Traveler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .313
Typical USB Phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .313
USB Flash Phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .314
Finding WiFi Hotspots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315
Skype Zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315
Pay-Per-Use WiFi Locators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315
General WiFi Locators (Free or Paid) . . . . . . . . . . .316
Free WiFi Locators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .316
xxv
xxvi
Contents
Part III: Implementing Skype in an Enterprise
Environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Chapter 11 Setting Up Skype in the Workplace . . . . . 319
A Word about SIP and H.323 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320
Skype Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .324
Opening Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .325
Dealing with NAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .327
Encryption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .327
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .328
Blocking Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .331
Firewalls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .332
Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .332
Software Inventory and Administration . . . . . . . . . .332
Firewalls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .333
Proxy Servers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334
Embedded Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334
Performance Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335
Chapter 12 Business Uses for Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Help Desks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .338
Corporate Help Desks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
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Skype Me!
From Single User to
Small Enterprise and Beyond
Michael Gough, SkypeTips.com
Salman Abdul Baset •Joshua Brashars •Larry Chaffin
Michael Cross • Dan Douglass
Michael Sweeney
FOREWORD
BY BILL CAMPBELL
SKYPE JOURNAL
Syngress Publishing, Inc., the author(s), and any person or firm involved in the writing, editing, or production (collectively “Makers”) of this book (“the Work”) do not guarantee or warrant the results to be
obtained from the Work.
There is no guarantee of any kind, expressed or implied, regarding the Work or its contents.The Work is
sold AS IS and WITHOUT WARRANTY.You may have other legal rights, which vary from state to
state.
In no event will Makers be liable to you for damages, including any loss of profits, lost savings, or other
incidental or consequential damages arising out from the Work or its contents. Because some states do not
allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, the above limitation
may not apply to you.
You should always use reasonable care, including backup and other appropriate precautions, when working
with computers, networks, data, and files.
Syngress Media®, Syngress®, “Career Advancement Through Skill Enhancement®,” “Ask the Author
UPDATE®,” and “Hack Proofing®,” are registered trademarks of Syngress Publishing, Inc. “Syngress:The
Definition of a Serious Security Library”™, “Mission Critical™,” and “The Only Way to Stop a Hacker is
to Think Like One™” are trademarks of Syngress Publishing, Inc. Brands and product names mentioned
in this book are trademarks or service marks of their respective companies.
KEY
001
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SERIAL NUMBER
HJIRTCV764
PO9873D5FG
829KM8NJH2
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PUBLISHED BY
Syngress Publishing, Inc.
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Skype Me! From Single User to Small Enterprise and Beyond
Copyright © 2006 by Syngress Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in Canada. Except as permitted
under the Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any
form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of
the publisher, with the exception that the program listings may be entered, stored, and executed in a computer system, but they may not be reproduced for publication.
Printed in Canada
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
ISBN: 1-59749-032-6
Publisher: Andrew Williams
Acquisitions Editor: Gary Byrne
Technical Editors: Michael Goughand
Salman Abdul Baset
Technical Proofreader: Neil Lindsey
Page Layout and Art: Patricia Lupien
Copy Editor: Darlene Bordwell
Indexer: Rich Carlson
Cover Designer: Michael Kavish
Distributed by O’Reilly Media, Inc. in the United States and Canada.
For information on rights, translations, and bulk purchases contact Matt Pedersen, Director of Sales and
Rights, at Syngress Publishing; email matt@syngress.com or fax to 781-681-3585.
Author Dedication:
For my daughter, for without her I would have never known
how wonderful and rewarding being a father could be.
To all those that helped in this project by testing, reviewing and contributing,
thank you!
A Word from the Author:
Skype is an ever moving target with updates and new products being released
all the time. As you read this book you may find that Skype or a product has
been updated with a newer version. Know that even though Skype may look
different, or a product was updated, the features or content still applies. Just find
the equivalent item in the new version and go with the flow.There are many
products, both software and hardware we did not cover or that came out after
we completed the book. We will update www.skypetips.com/
web_pages/skype_me.html with any updates to the book or feedback we
receive so that you can have access to the latest information.
We hope you enjoy the book and it helps you understand the world of Skype
and how you can use the latest in Voice technology over the Internet to communicate with your family and friends and explore the many options Skype has
to offer to improve your communication experience and make life a little more
fun and cost effective.
v
Syngress Acknowledgments
Syngress would like to acknowledge the following people for their kindness and
support in making this book possible.
Syngress books are now distributed in the United States and Canada by O’Reilly
Media, Inc.The enthusiasm and work ethic at O’Reilly are incredible, and we
would like to thank everyone there for their time and efforts to bring Syngress
books to market:Tim O’Reilly, Laura Baldwin, Mark Brokering, Mike Leonard,
Donna Selenko, Bonnie Sheehan, Cindy Davis, Grant Kikkert, Opol Matsutaro,
Steve Hazelwood, Mark Wilson, Rick Brown,Tim Hinton, Kyle Hart, Sara Winge,
Peter Pardo, Leslie Crandell, Regina Aggio Wilkinson, Pascal Honscher, Preston
Paull, Susan Thompson, Bruce Stewart, Laura Schmier, Sue Willing, Mark Jacobsen,
Betsy Waliszewski, Kathryn Barrett, John Chodacki, Rob Bullington, Kerry Beck,
and Karen Montgomery.
The incredibly hardworking team at Elsevier Science, including Jonathan Bunkell,
Ian Seager, Duncan Enright, David Burton, Rosanna Ramacciotti, Robert
Fairbrother, Miguel Sanchez, Klaus Beran, Emma Wyatt, Chris Hossack, Krista
Leppiko, Marcel Koppes, Judy Chappell, Radek Janousek, and Chris Reinders for
making certain that our vision remains worldwide in scope.
David Buckland, Marie Chieng, Lucy Chong, Leslie Lim, Audrey Gan, Pang Ai
Hua, Joseph Chan, and Siti Zuraidah Ahmad of STP Distributors for the enthusiasm with which they receive our books.
David Scott,Tricia Wilden, Marilla Burgess, Annette Scott, Andrew Swaffer, Stephen
O’Donoghue, Bec Lowe, Mark Langley, and Anyo Geddes of Woodslane for distributing our books throughout Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji,
Tonga, Solomon Islands, and the Cook Islands.
vi
Lead Author
and Technical Editor
Michael Gough is host and webmaster of www.SkypeTips.com,
which was launched in January 2005 and receives more than
100,000 hits per month, and www.VideoCallTips.com, which
receives more than 30,000 hits per month. Michael writes articles
on Skype and related issues. He also explains Skype’s options and
instructions to users so that they can practically apply Skype at
home and in the workplace. Michael also evaluates products used
with Skype and provides feedback to the vendors on features and
improvements to help drive the direction of Skype-related products.
Michael is also the host and webmaster for the Web site
www.VideoCallTips.com, which is focused on helping people
understand how to make video calls to family and friends, and
maintains ratings of the many video call solutions available.
Michael’s full-time employment is as a computer security consultant with 18 years’ experience in the computer technology field.
Michael works for a Fortune 500 company, where he delivers security consulting services to their clients. Michael also presents for his
company at many trade shows and conferences and works with
associations and groups, advising agencies like the FBI on Skype
security and the Center for Internet Security on wireless security.
vii
Technical Editor
Salman Abdul Baset is a first-year Ph.D. student in the computer
science department at Columbia University. His areas of research
include multimedia and peer-to-peer networks, ubiquitous computing, network security, reverse engineering/hacking of programs,
and privacy. He holds an M.S. in Computer Science from Columbia
University and a B.S. in Computer System Engineering from
Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences & Technology
in Pakistan.
Contributing Authors
Joshua Brashars is a telecommunications specialist in San Diego,
CA. Joshua spends most of his time tinkering with voice-over-IP
applications and the rest of his time working with Secure Science
Corporation, breaking things apart. Joshua would like to thank his
family, friends, Johnny Long, Lance James, and all of his hacker
friends for their undying support.
Larry Chaffin (CISSP, PMP, JNCIE, MBCP, CWNP, NNCSE,
NNCDE, CCNP, CCDP, CCNP-WAN, CCDP-WAN) is the
CEO/Chairman of Pluto Networks and the Vice President of
Advanced Network Technologies for Plannet Group. He is an
accomplished author; he cowrote Managing Cisco Network Security
(ISBN: 1-931836-56-6) and has also been a coauthor/ghost writer
for 11 other technology books for VoIP, WLAN, security, and
optical technologies. Larry has more than 29 vendor certifications
such as the ones already listed, plus Cisco VoIP, Optical, Security,
viii
VPN, IDS, Unity, and WLAN. He is also certified by Nortel in
DMS Carrier Class Switches along with CS100’S, MCS5100, Call
Pilot, and WLAN. Many other certifications come from vendors
such as Avaya, HP, IBM, Microsoft, PeopleSoft, and VMware. Larry
has been a Principal Architect around the world in 22 countries for
many Fortune 100 companies designing VoIP, Security, WLAN, and
optical networks. His next project is to write a book on Nortel
VoIP and a new security architecture book he has designed for VoIP
and WLAN networks.
Michael Cross (MCSE, MCP+I, CNA, Network+) is an Internet
Specialist/Computer Forensic Analyst with the Niagara Regional
Police Service (NRPS). He performs computer forensic examinations on computers involved in criminal investigation. He also has
consulted and assisted in cases dealing with computerrelated/Internet crimes. In addition to designing and maintaining
the NRPS Web site at www.nrps.com and the NRPS intranet, he
has provided support in the areas of programming, hardware, and
network administration. As part of an information technology team
that provides support to a user base of more than 800 civilian and
uniform users, he has a theory that when the users carry guns, you
tend to be more motivated in solving their problems.
Michael also owns KnightWare (www.knightware.ca), which
provides computer-related services such as Web page design, and
Bookworms (www.bookworms.ca), where you can purchase collectibles and other interesting items online. He has been a freelance
writer for several years, and he has been published more than three
dozen times in numerous books and anthologies. He currently
resides in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, with his lovely wife,
Jennifer, his darling daughter, Sara, and charming son, Jason.
ix
Dan Douglass (MCSE+I, MCDBA, MCSD, MCT, Brainbench
.Net Programmer Job Role) is the Special Projects Manager with a
cutting-edge medical software company in Dallas,TX. His latest
venture is as President/Owner of a new technology firm, Code
Hatchery. He currently provides software development skills and
internal training and integration solutions, as well as peer guidance
for technical skills development. Dan’s specialties include enterprise
application integration and design; HL7, XML, XSL, C++, C#,
JavaScript, Visual Basic, and Visual Basic.Net; database design and
administration; Back Office and .NET Server platforms; Network
design, including LAN and WAN solutions; all Microsoft operating
systems; and Mac OS X, FreeBSD, and Linux. When he has free
time, Dan teaches programming, database design, and database
administration at a prominent Dallas university. Dan is a former U.S.
Navy Nuclear Submariner and lives in Plano,TX, with his very supportive and understanding wife,Tavish.
Dan wishes to extend special thanks to his mother-in-law, Sue
Moffett, for all her love and support through the years.
Michael Sweeney (CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, MCSE, SCP) is the
owner of the Network Security consulting firm Packetattack.com.
Packetattack.com’s specialties are network design and troubleshooting, wireless network design, security, and analysis.The
Packetattack team uses industry-standard tools such as Airmagnet,
AiroPeekNX, and NAI Sniffer. Packetattack.com also provides digital forensic analysis services.
Michael has been a contributing author for Syngress for the
books Cisco Security Specialist’s Guide to PIX Firewalls (ISBN: 1931836-63-9), Cisco Security Specialist’s Guide to Secure Intrusion
Detection Systems (ISBN: 1-932266-69-0), and Building DMZs for
Enterprise Networks (ISBN: 1-931836-88-4).Through PacketPress,
Michael has also published Securing Your Network Using Linux (ISBN:
1-411621-77-8).
x
Michael has recently joined the ranks of “Switchers” where he is
not using two OS X Macs full-time in security work and day-today activities. He keeps a running blog on his misadventures and
discoveries about Apple, OS X, and Macs in general at
hackamac.packetattack.com.
Michael graduated from the University of California, Irvine,
extension program with a certificate in communications and network engineering. Michael currently resides in Orange, CA, with
his wife, Jeanne, and his three daughters, Amanda, Sara, and Olivia.
Foreword Contributor
Bill Campbell is the Technical Editor of the Skype Journal
(www.SkypeJournal.com). He authored the first Skype API
Guidebook (being published in 10 languages) for the Skype
Development Community. As CEO of Qzoxy Software Inc., he
developed the first Presence Server for managing online user status.
As the inaugural member of the Skype Developer Program, he continues to be one of a handful to test all new Skype products. About
a third of his career was spent as a manager at the Hewlett-Packard
Company. Fifteen years ago, Bill founded the PTCompany,
www.theptcompany.com, which specialized in business process
reengineering and project management tools. Bill and his team provide consulting services to help corporations define their Skype
strategies or to develop products around the Skype API. Bill lives in
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
xi
Contents
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xxix
Part I: Getting Started with Skype. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Chapter 1 An Overview of Skype. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
What Is All the Hype about Skype? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
What Are VoIP, Voice Chat, or Voice Calls? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
VoIP for the Home User . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Voice Chat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Skype Architecture (Basic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Peer-to-Peer Technology (Basic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Peer-to-Peer Conferencing (Basic/Advanced) . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Skype Options (Basic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Skype Security (Basic) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Chapter 2 Installing Skype. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Requirements to Make Voice Calls (Basic and Advanced) . . .14
Personal Computer (PC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
PC Laptops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Apple Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Apple Laptops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Pocket PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Headsets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Bluetooth Headsets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Linux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Connection Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
LAN-Based Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
A Word about Upload and Download Speed . . . . . . .18
Wireless-Based Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
802.11a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
xiii
xiv
Contents
802.11b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
802.11g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Modem-Based Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Recommendation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Testing Your Existing Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Testing Your Audio Capability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Check That You Have a Sound Card . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Apple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Linux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Pocket PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Installing Skype for Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Installing Skype for Pocket PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Downloading Skype for the Pocket PC . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Download Directly to the Pocket PC . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Download to Your Computer and Launch the Skype
Installer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Download to Your Computer and Copy the Installer to
Your Pocket PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Installing Skype for Mac OS X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Installing Skype for Linux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Linux Installation Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Installing a Precompiled Skype for Linux Package . . .40
Generic Tarballs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Chapter 3 Getting Started Using Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Signing Up As a User . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Switching between Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Adding or Searching for Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Adding Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Searching for Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Basic Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Advanced Search . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Starting a Chat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Making a Test Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Making Your First Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Putting a Call on Hold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Contents
Muting and Unmuting the Microphone . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Hanging Up the Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Inviting Others to Join Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Setting Your Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Offline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Skype Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Not Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Do Not Disturb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Invisible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Basic Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Save and Cancel Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
General Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
When I Double-Click a Contact Name,
What Happens? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Show Emoticons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Show Me As… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Related Tasks: Editing Your Skype Profile . . . . . . . . . .69
Privacy Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Anyone Can … . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Only People from My Contacts Can … . . . . . . . . . .72
Only People Whom I Have Authorized Can … . . . . .73
Allow Calls From . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
Allow Chat From . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Keep Chat History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Related Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Notification Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
Related Tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Tasks Bar Icon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Sound Alerts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Hotkeys Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
While in Chat, Pressing Enter Will … . . . . . . . . . . . .83
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Chapter 4 Basic Features of Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Selecting or Changing Your Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Understanding Skype’s Status Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Not Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Do Not Disturb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
Calls Are Being Forwarded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Offline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Offline with Voice Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Pending Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Using Chat or Instant Messaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Setting the Double-Click Option to Start a Chat . . . . . .88
Hiding the User Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Starting an Instant Message or Chat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Chat History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Deleting Chat History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Setting a Chat Topic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
Recent Chats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Bookmarked Chats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
Using Emoticons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
Changing the Font . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Inviting More Users to a Chat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Handling File Transfers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
Sending a File in a Chat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
Sending a File Directly from Windows Explorer . . . . . .103
Sending Files to Multiple Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
Sending a File in the Main Contacts Window . . . . . . .107
Sending a File While in a Voice Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
Relayed File Transfers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108
Making Voice Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Conference Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Add a Contact to an Existing Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Managing Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Sending Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113
Importing Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115
Contents
Chapter 5 Common Uses for Skype. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Talking with Family and Friends for Free or Low Cost . . . .124
e911 Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
411 Information Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Skype and Faxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Lower-Cost Long Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
Cell Phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
SkypeOut Primer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
Alternative to Plain Old Instant Messaging . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
Running Multiple Instances of Skype on One System . . . .128
Make Sure You Have Multiple Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
Adding Another Windows User . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130
Launching Skype with Run As . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133
So What Can I Do with Two Instances of Skype? . . . . .135
Practical Application of Running Multiple Instances
of Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
Internet Speed Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
Part II: Taking Skype to the Next Level . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Chapter 6 Advanced Features of Skype. . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Advanced Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
Advanced Profile Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142
Details That All Skype Users Will See . . . . . . . . . . .143
Personalizing Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
Providing Information Without
Compromising Personal Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
Other Ways Your Profile Allows People to Know You 147
Private Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
Details That Only Your Contacts Will See . . . . . . . .149
Configuring Sound Alerts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
Play Sounds for … . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
Sound Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154
Skype Sound Device Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154
If You Have Two Sound Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
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Making a Test Call to Ensure Your Settings
are Correct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
Connection Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
Skype Connection Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
Skype’s Advanced Options Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
Startup Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
Call Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
Chat Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
Other Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162
Associate Skype with callto: Links . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162
Using the Display Technical Call Info Option . . . . .164
Input/Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164
Call Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165
Codec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165
Packet Loss and Other Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166
Jitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166
SessionIn and SessionOut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167
Relays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
UDP Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
CPU Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
Call Forwarding and Voice Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
Forwarding Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
Voice Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
Setting Up Voice Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
Using Voice Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
Advanced Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
Decentralized Peer-to-Peer Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
Components of Skype’s Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
Client Software or Nodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
Login Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
Global Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
Encryption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177
Supernodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177
Advanced Peer-to-Peer Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
File Sharing and P2P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
Skype’s P2P Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
Contents
Skype’s Premium Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
SkypeOut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
Using SkypeOut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
SkypeOut Dialing Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
International Dialing Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
SkypeIn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186
Setting Up SkypeIn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186
Using SkypeIn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
Forwarding SkypeIn Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189
Other Advanced Topics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189
Editing the Skype Language File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .190
Other Tips and Tricks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192
Chat Tips and Tricks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192
Drag and Drop in Chat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .192
Using System Commands in a Chat . . . . . . . . . . . .193
Command-Line Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194
Authorization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195
Chapter 7 Software Add-ons for Skype. . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Expanding Skype’s Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
Voice Mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
Your Own Answering Machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
Pamela . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199
Features of Pamela Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199
Features of Pamela Standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200
Features of Pamela Professional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200
Answering Machine by YapperNut (AMY) . . . . . . . . . .201
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202
Features of AMY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202
SAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204
Features of SAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204
Advanced Options Dialog Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
Recording Skype Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206
Hot Recorder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
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Features of Hot Recorder Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
Features of Hot Recorder Premium . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
SkyLook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208
Features of SkyLook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208
PowerGramo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209
Features of PowerGramo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209
Integrating with Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210
Skype for Outlook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Look2Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211
Features of Look2Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212
SkyLook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213
Features of SkyLook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214
SMS Text Messaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214
Connectotel SMS to Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
Features of SMS to Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
Connectotel Skype to SMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
Features of Connectotel Skype to SMS . . . . . . . . . .216
Forwarding Your Skype Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
iSkoot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
Features of iSkoot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216
SkypeCasting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217
Skype Casting for Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217
Virtual Audio Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
Features of VAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218
Pamela . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Features of Pamela Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219
Features of Pamela Standard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220
Contents
Features of Pamela Professional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220
Nicecast for the Mac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221
Features of Nicecast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
Skype Web Toolbars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222
Other Plug-ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224
MuteForSkype Music Player Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224
Features of MuteForSkype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224
MiTunes Music Player Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225
Features of MiTunes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .226
SkypeIt! Mozilla Mail and Thunderbird E-Mail Plug-in 226
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .226
Features of SkypeIt! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .226
Skype Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227
mcePhone for Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227
Features of mcePhone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227
Skype Forwarder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229
Features of Skype Forwarder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229
Free Tools from Skypeteer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
Skypeteer Keep It Simple Status Indicator
(KISSI) Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
Skypeteer World Clock Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
Skypeteer IE Extension Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
Skypeteer Call Calculator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
Free Tools from s3ven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
Outlook Skype Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
Skype Tools Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
Skyp2Out Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
Skype Backup Tool Plug-in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
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Chapter 8 Hardware Add-ons for Skype . . . . . . . . . . . 233
How to Use This Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234
Headsets, Microphones, and Speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234
Bluetooth Headsets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235
Plantronics CS-50 USB Bluetooth Headset . . . . . . . . .235
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235
Features of the CS-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235
Telephone Gateways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236
VoSky (Actiontec) Internet Phone Wizard . . . . . . . . . .237
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .238
Features of the Internet Phone Wizard . . . . . . . . . . .238
VoSky (Actiontec) Call Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .239
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .239
Features of the VoSky Call Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . .239
YapperNut YapperBox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240
Features of the YapperBox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
RapidBox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
Features of the RapidBox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .242
SkyBox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .242
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .242
Features of the SkyBox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243
iPMate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243
Features of iPMate Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .244
Telephone Adapters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .244
PhoneConnector Phone Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245
Features of the PhoneConnector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245
PCPhoneLine VTA1000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246
Features of the VTA1000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246
USB Phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
DualPhone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
Contents
Features of the DualPhone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248
Linksys CIT200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249
Features of the CIT200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249
Siemens M34 USB Gigaset Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251
Features of the Siemens M34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251
VoSky USB Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252
Features of the VoSky USB Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . .252
SimplyPhone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253
Features of the SimplyPhone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253
US Robotics USR9600 and USR809600 . . . . . . . . . . .254
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254
Features of the USR9600 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254
IPEVO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255
Features of the IPEVO Free-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255
PCPhoneLine VPT1000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .257
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .257
Features of the VPT1000 Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .257
CyberPhone K . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .258
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .258
Features of the CyberPhone Devices . . . . . . . . . . . .259
Speaker Phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .259
VoSky Chatterbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260
Features of the VoSky Chatterbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260
CyberSpeaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261
Features of the CyberSpeaker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261
IO Gear USB Speaker Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262
Features of the IO Gear USB Speaker Phone . . . . . .262
Desktop VoIP Phone with Speaker Phone . . . . . . . . . .263
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Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .263
Features of the Desktop VoIP Phone with
Speaker Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .263
Other Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .264
MPlat Flash Phone Portable USB Phone . . . . . . . . . . .264
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .264
Features of the MPlat F1K Flash Phone . . . . . . . . . .265
Chapter 9 Getting the Most out of Skype. . . . . . . . . . 267
Using Skype without Sitting at Your Computer . . . . . . . . .268
A Word about REN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .268
For the Home User (Windows Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .268
Existing Cordless Telephone with
Answering Machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .269
Replacing Your Existing Telephone System . . . . . . .273
Skype Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .273
For the Small Business User (Windows Only) . . . . . . . .274
Skype Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .274
For the Medium-Sized and Large Business User
(Windows Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .275
Using Skype with Your Local and Long Distance
Phone Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276
Making Video Calls with Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278
Personal Video Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279
Upload Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280
Internet Speed Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280
Webcam Choice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280
Screen Size or Screen Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281
Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .282
Bandwidth Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .282
Frame Rate versus Image Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .282
Video Call Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284
Spontania Video4IM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284
Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284
Disadvantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285
Where to Get Video4IM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285
Contents
Making a Video Call with Video4IM and Skype . . .287
Santa Cruz Networks Festoon (Formerly VSkype) . . . .289
Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .289
Disadvantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .289
Where to Get Festoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .290
Microsoft MSN Messenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293
Advantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293
Disadvantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .294
Where to Get MSN Messenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .294
Chapter 10 Being Mobile with Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Using Skype with Your Laptop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .298
Available USB Ports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .298
Using Skype with Pocket PCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300
Pocket PC Cell Phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300
Samsung i730 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .301
Siemens SX66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .302
iMate K-Jam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303
Sprint PPC-6700 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304
HP HW6710/6715 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .305
Using Skype with Smartphones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .305
AudioVox SMT5600 (Orange SPV C500) . . . . . . . .306
Samsung i600 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .307
Motorola MPX220 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .308
Nokia 6630 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .309
Nokia 6680 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .310
Using Skype with Wireless Pocket PCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311
USB Phones for the Mobile Traveler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .313
Typical USB Phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .313
USB Flash Phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .314
Finding WiFi Hotspots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315
Skype Zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315
Pay-Per-Use WiFi Locators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .315
General WiFi Locators (Free or Paid) . . . . . . . . . . .316
Free WiFi Locators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .316
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Part III: Implementing Skype in an Enterprise
Environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317
Chapter 11 Setting Up Skype in the Workplace . . . . . 319
A Word about SIP and H.323 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320
Skype Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .324
Opening Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .325
Dealing with NAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .327
Encryption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .327
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .328
Blocking Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .331
Firewalls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .332
Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .332
Software Inventory and Administration . . . . . . . . . .332
Firewalls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .333
Proxy Servers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334
Embedded Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334
Performance Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335
Chapter 12 Business Uses for Skype . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Help Desks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .338
Corporate Help Desks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33