Skype

Skype Free software that allows you to make voice and video calls with other users of this software at no cost, calls are made through an Internet connection, it also allows the transfer of large files, conferences with other users of the software , chats ; all calls and files are encrypted so that they cannot be intercepted by other users. This software also allows you to make calls to conventional and mobile phones with the payment of a minimal fee. It was developed in 2003 by the Danish Janus Friis and the Swedish Niklas Zennström, also creators of Kazaa. The Skype code and protocol remain closed and proprietary, but interested users can download the executable application for free from the official website.

Summary

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• 1 Option provided
  • 1 Other Skype utilities
• 2 General description
• 3 Features
  • 1 Protocol
  • 2 Security
• 4 Technical requirements
  • 1 PC platform
  • 2 Linux platform
  • 3 Mac platform
• 5 Work environment
  • 1 Devices to configure
  • 2 Voicemail
  • 3 Conventional telephony
  • 4 Interface and Graphical Environment
• 6 Eleven Uses of Spyke
• 7 Sources
• 8 External links

Option provided

It offers the SkypeIn option, thanks to which a telephone number is granted so that the computer can be contacted from a telephone device, anywhere in the world. In addition, a voicemail service is provided. Skype’s interface is very similar to that of other instant messaging software, such as Windows Live Messenger or Yahoo! Messenger , and, in the same way as in these, it is possible to start an instant message conversation between users of the same software. This program also allows you to leave voice messages (mailbox) in case the user is not available, this being a paid service that is included with SkypeIn. In September of 2005the company was bought by eBay for 2.6 billion dollars. However, in July of 2009 the former developers of the system sued eBay for licenses Joltid (which provides the codes used by the core of the system and is a subsidiary of the former owners) had expired and eBay was infringing their rights to the keep using them. Finally and unable to replace the technology that was being infringed, eBay sold 70% of its Skype stake to Silver Lake Partners, a group that does include Joltid. In October of 2010 , Skype 5.0 for Windowswas released with a set of add-ons and new functions, among the most important, the inclusion of a Facebook tab that will allow its users to send SMS messages, chat or call their Facebook friends, directly from the News Feed. The October of Mayo of 2011 Microsoft announced the complete acquisition of Skype by 8,500 million dollars in order to strengthen its business smartphones.

Other Skype utilities

• SkypeOut: to make cheap calls to landlines and mobiles anywhere in the world with reduced rates. The price is much lower than that charged by the telephone companies.
• Skype SMS: send SMS text messages to mobile phones.
• SkypeIn: is a personal phone number that anyone can call and that you answer with Skype. You can also transfer calls to another landline or mobile phone.

With that, you can live in Madrid , for example, and while traveling in Australia , a friend of yours will be able to dial your local number and your Skype in Australia will attend. Your friends will not need to spend a great economic advantage on long distance communications.

• Voicemail: where people who call you can leave messages when you’re busy or offline.

General description

It is intended to connect users via text (instant messaging), voice ( VoIP ) or video. One of its strengths is free voice communication between Skype users from anywhere in the world. It also makes special calls, although paid at a very low cost, between a computer and a fixed or mobile network. It can be used in the following ways:

• Free text, voice or video communication between two Skype users with personal computers connected to the Internet. It requires registration and acceptance of the service conditions, free of charge.
• Group communication or free voice or video conference between several Skype users, all with PCs connected to the Internet. Requires registration at no cost.
• Low-cost voice call generation from a Skype user with a PC connected to the Internet , to landline or mobile phones. Requires a monthly or annual payment contract.
• Low-cost communication and data transmission (text and graphics) from a Skype user with a PC connected to the Internet to fax machines (or computers with fax software) connected to fixed telephone networks. Requires payment contract.
• Voice calls at local call rate from landline or mobile network telephones to the telephone number of a Skype subscriber with a PC connected to the Internet . If the receiving user is not available, Skype offers an automated answering service. Requires payment contract by the receiver. Calls generated from mobile phones pay local cellular service rates.
• Communication and sending of data at a local call rate from fax machines connected to fixed telephone networks to a Skype subscriber with a PC connected to the Internet. Requires payment contract by the receiver.
• Low-cost telephone and text forwarding communication from landline or cell phones to a Skype subscriber with a PC connected to the Internet . Requires payment contract by the receiver. Skype by having the services of voice, data, fax, answering machine, conference and videoconference, you can maintain communication without cost and at low cost, between Skype users, mobile phones, landline phones, fax, videoconferences and obviously text, between users in both communication directions.

Also, Skype allows the forwarding of calls and text messages, which means that users of the system with an assigned Skype phone number can receive calls or messages directly to their computer or generate a forwarding of these to a mobile phone or network fixed, in the case of calls.

features

Protocol

Skype uses a proprietary VoIP telephony protocol . Some of the technology used by Skype belongs to Joltid Ltd. corporation. The big difference between this software and other standards with similar functionality is that Skype operates based on the P2P model (originally used in the Kazaa software in 2001) instead of the usual Client-Server model. Note that the most popular model, SIP, of VoIP is also P2P, but its implementation generally requires registration with a server. The success of Skype lies in the great data compression it performs, practically without affecting the quality of voice transmission, and in establishing a connection with a cluster of Skype servers (redundant servers) to start the communication session, during which the contact list is returned. When the call has started, a direct connection is established with the person’s device. The program has been developed in the Pascal language using the Delphi environment , later it was ported to GNU / Linux and basing it on the Qt libraries.

Security

Skype uses the 256-bit AES algorithm to encrypt voice, transferred files, or instant message. For the paid version, the 2048-bit RSA algorithm is used for voicemail access and 1536-bit during the negotiation to establish the connection. For this they use an asymmetric key, which allows to avoid man-in-the-middle attacks.

Technical requirements

PC platform

Operating System: 2000 , XP (video calls only for XP)

Processor: 400 MHz or higher

Memory: 128 MB RAM

Hard Drive: 15MB of free space

Internet connection: Required, preferably broadband

Sound card: Required

Speakers and Microphone: Required

VGA signal and Capture Card: 800×600 monitor, 16-bit resolution.

Optional: Webcam, if you want to make video calls

Linux platform

• Operating System: SuSE 9 , Fedora 3 , Mandriva 10.1 , Debian
• Processor: 400 MHz or higher
• Memory: 128 MB RAM
• Hard Drive: 10MB of free space
• Internet connection: Required, preferably broadband
• Sound card: Required
• Speakers and Microphone: Required
• VGA signal and Capture Card: 800×600 monitor, 16-bit resolution.
• Optional: Webcam, if you want to make video calls

Mac platform

• Operating System: Operating System X 10.3 Panther or higher
• Processor: PowerPC G3 600MHz or higher
• Memory: 128 MB RAM
• Hard Drive: 20MB of free space
• Internet connection: Required, preferably broadband
• Sound card: Required
• Speakers and Microphone: Required
• VGA signal and Capture Card: 800×600 monitor, 16-bit resolution.
• Optional: Webcam, if you want to make video calls

Work environment

Devices to configure

In order for the user to start using the software, they need to set up an account in the Skype system database. This process is simple, it only requires entering a name, an email account, a username for the Skype software and a password. The configuration of the microphone and the speakers is done automatically without user intervention. Normally it does not require configuring the Firewall or Proxy .

Voicemail

When a user is not connected or simply does not want to answer a call, they can use voicemail to receive messages. This service requires an annual or quarterly fee.

Conventional telephony

Skype software automatically connects with conventional telephone companies to allow Skype users to communicate with other people who do not have the software or an Internet connection. The rates are really low and the user never exceeds costs. Since this service is activated by prepayment. You can also receive calls from a conventional phone, for this you need to hire a quarterly or annual subscription service.

Interface and Graphical Environment

The graphical user interface is extremely intuitive in such a way that the user does not need to read any manual to start using the Skype software, all that is required is basic knowledge of the use of a personal computer .

Eleven uses of Spyke

1. By voice from Skype user to Skype user.
2. By video from Skype user to Skype user.
3. By conference or video conference from Skype user to Skype user.
4. By text from Skype user to Skype user.
5. By voice from Skype user to conventional telephone.
6. By voice from Skype user to cell phone.
7. By data (text and images) from Skype user to conventional fax.
8. By voice from conventional phone to Skype phone number (using your computer ).
9. By voice from cell phone to Skype phone number (using your computer).
10. By fax from a conventional fax to a Skype phone number (using your computer).
11. By voice from conventional or cell phone to Skype answering machine phone number (using your computer)