Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice calls over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free, while calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a fee using a debit-based user account system. Skype has also become popular for its additional features which include instant messaging, file transfer, andvideo conferencing. The network is operated by Skype Limited, which has its headquarters in Luxembourg and is partly owned by eBay.
Unlike other VoIP services, the Skype company does not run only on servers, but makes use of background processing on computers running Skype software; the original name proposed—Sky peer-to-peer (see below)—reflects this.
Some network administrators have banned Skype on corporate,government, home, and education networks, citing reasons such as inappropriate usage of resources, excessive bandwidth usage, and security concerns.
Features
Registered users of Skype are identified by a unique Skype Name, and may be listed in the Skype directory. Skype allows these registered users to communicate through both instant messaging and voice chat. Voice chat allows calls between pairs of users and conference calling, and uses a proprietary audio codec. Skype's text chat client allows group chats, emoticons, storing chat history, offline messaging (since version 5) and editing of previous messages. The usual features familiar to instant messaging users—user profiles, online status indicators, and so on—are also included.
The Online Number (aka SkypeIn) service allows Skype users to receive calls on their computers dialed by regular phone subscribers to a local Skype phone number; local numbers are available for Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. A Skype user can have local numbers in any of these countries, with calls to the number charged at the same rate as calls to fixed lines in the country.
Video conferencing between two users was introduced in January 2006 for the Windows and Mac OS X platform clients. Skype 2.0 for Linux, released on March 13, 2008, also features support for video conferencing. Version 5 beta 1 for Windows, released May 13, 2010, offers free video conferencing with up to 5 people.
Skype for Windows, starting with version 3.6.0.216, supports "High Quality Video" with quality and features, e.g., full-screen and screen-in-screen modes, similar to those of mid-range videoconferencing systems. Skype audio conferences currently support up to 25 people at a time, including the host.
The Skype 3.0 app released on 30 December 2010 for Apple's iOS platform also introduced video chat for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch devices, although this is limited to only receiving incoming video calls as the iPad and previous-generation iPod Touch models do not have a video cameras. However, reviewers have noted the poor quality and performance of Skype 3.0 videocalls over both Wi-Fi and 3G mobile phone networks compared to Apple's FaceTime app built into the iPhone 4 and fourth-generation iPod Touch.
Skype does not provide the ability to call emergency numbers such as 911 in the United States and Canada , 111 in New Zealand , 000 in Australia , 112 in Europe, or 999 in the UK
THIS IS ONLY FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO LOVES CHATTING.
0 comments:
Post a Comment