technology What is Skype?

[DJShy 952]

I ask this question 'cause I joined skype less than a week ago, and due to it's popularity (almost everyone using it), I feel like I'm missing something. I feel like there is something more to Skype than what I'm using it for.

 

So I ask, what is Skype?

 

Please explain to the noob that is me.

[Colorful Respawn 399]

Skype is basically another Facebook. You can video call and text other people from all over the world.

[Unikitty 1,212]

Skype is an instant messaging system, with which you can use to keep in contact with your friends and acquaintances who also use the program - via text, audio, and video chat.
That pretty much sums it up. There's no holy grail secret to it. It's just a popular and functional method of instantly talking with people you are not within local range of. It has solid group functions, allowing for the use of group events, such as online parties, and general chats, regardless of offline location.

[Harmonic Revelations 8,837]

Skype is the ancient Nordic god of power and control. It is said that if you sacrifice three bags of Cheetos everyday at 3 PM on the dot, you will be granted internet popularity and a sense of self-worth, eventually becoming a god yourself.

 

If you do this correctly, you can then use a special god telepathy power called IM to communicate with plebians who worship you. You can even manipulate light itself to create a kind of two way viewing portal between you and others. It even projects sound!

 

For an extra sacrifice, you can do things like take this power with you on the go, or hold a mass sermon with many of your followers at once. This is called "Premium".

 

I hope this helps you.

 

Source: I've been doing it for years.

Edited April 10, 2014 by Harmonic Revelations

[Nina 38]

I can explain it to you thoroughly. Add me on skype. My account name is "wirann"( without "" ). Then, I can teach you all about it.

[CMQuickfireTK 751]

It's terrible, that's what it is.

 

it works... though.

[~Silver Essence~ 2,625]

It's basically a thing where you can connect with anyone and your friends and chat or video call each other, it's a pretty cool thing.

 

Though it isn't reliable most of the times, it's popularity is good for at least being there.

[Discordian 6,021]

As long as you have a semi-reliable internet connection Skype effectively replaces the need for a phone line. It's free to chat with anyone who also has Skype (given you have at least a mic, video is not necessary) but also enables you to call landlines...but that one costs money.

 

It also functions as a chat client that has text-editing options (something you won't find in most other chat rooms or clients) that can connect to computers and phones with Skype but also has a regular text messaging system.

 

There are also file-sharing systems in case you want to send pictures or songs to people or something, though there's usually a file limit for that sort of thing and it is automatically passed to Microsoft for a check, though I don't know how closely they follow that.

 

You can also use Skype as a streaming device of sorts through the screenshare system. It takes up a lot of resources to do that though so it's not recommended. You'll usually have pretty jumpy video so it's not good for anything but sharing something with a few friends or something.

 

All other functions are negligible and you can figure out if you poke around a little. You won't find much use for them.