DE Oracle @ UMUC

Holding a Skype Conference

Deborah Schroeder

Senior Instructional Support Specialist

Center for Support of Instruction

Published: September-October 2008

Category: » Tech-skills-software » Skype

Starting Skype

If you do not have Skype installed on your computer and/or you Skype account, you will want to install/create one before you proceed.

1. Select Start-->All Programs -->Skype

2. Log into Skype using your Skype login name and password.

Testing Audio and adding Contacts

1. Before you begin, test the sound settings by clicking on the Green phone icon next to the Skype Test Call option. Note: You will need to speak loudly in order for the microphone to pick up your voice. You may find that you need to either move the microphone closer to you in order to get a good recording.

2. Select Add Contacts from the Contacts tab.

3. In the Add a Contact dialog box, type in the Skype Name or email address of the contact person, then click the Find button.

4. Select the correct contact name from the list of contacts, then click the Add Skype Contact button.

5. At the Say hello dialog box you can type in a brief message in the message box or you can just click the OK button.

6. When the Add a Contact dialog box reappears, click on the Close button.

Connecting to a Contact

1. At the Skype main window, click on the contact name you wish to call and select the Green phone icon (you can use either green phone icon to connect).

2. If you can not see your contact's video in the video window dialog box, move your mouse over the contact's video window selec the Video in window option (or click on the Menu button located in the video window dialog box and select View-->Video in window from the mini-menu). Note: The Video in Window option will only be available if the contact has started their video camera and you can see their video window dialog box (as pictured below).  If you do not see the video window dialog box ask your contact to ensure they have started their Webcam by clicking on the Start My Video button located at the bottom of the call screen.  It is in the same location as the Stop My Video button pictured below.)

3. Once your contact answers the call, you are ready to proceed with the presentation. If the video camera has started up automatically and you wish not to use video, click on the Stop My Video button to turn it off.

Ending the Presentation

1. When you are done with the presentation, click on the Red phone icon to end the call.