Skype

I love to use Skype and recommend it to everyone for us to communicate:

1. It's free for us to talk (all around the world)
2. The audio quality is superb (can sound like we are in the same room!)
3. You can record our call at your end (with the free add-on MP3 Skype recorder - see below)
4. We can stay in touch with text messages
5. You can see when I'm online/available
6. It's secure (with sensible precautions, see below)

So, if you don't have Skype - may I suggest you install it and get to know it? It's really very good and well worth the effort. My Skype id is leela.jamieson - simply click New/ New Contact in Skype and type leela.jamieson in, and then click Add Contact – I will confirm as soon as I’m online to see it!
When I'm online you can call me or send me Skype chat messages; when offline, you can always leave a voice message (like a normal phone!)

 

What you need:

• A microphone and headphones (possibly speakers) - preferably combined in single Headset 
  
• Download and install Skype from www.Skype.com 
• [OR Optionally, install the earlier, more stable version 4.2, which is easier and better, see below]
  
• Following instructions, choose a username and register with Skype
  
• For recording calls, install MP3 Skype Recorder, see below
  

Recording Skype calls

All your Skype calls can be recorded with a well-respected and free program called MP3 Skype Recorder:

• Once Skype is installed, simply go to this website, download and install MP3 Skype Recorder
• Once MP3 Skype Recorder is installed Skype will ask you to give permission for MP3 Skype recorder to interface with Skype.
• Once you have accepted this, all your calls will be recorded automatically.
• If you choose the "stereo” option, your voice and your caller's voice will be recorded on two independent stereo tracks in the same file (left and right tracks)
• Make a note of where it's storing your calls (or change the location!)

Installing or Downgrading your Skype to Version 4.2

If like many people you find problems with the latest version, our suggestion is to do what many others have successfully done, which is to install a previous, simpler, much more stable version of Skype!

Instructions to install skype 4.2 and then stop it auto-updating are as follows (it's very simple!)

1) If you already have Skype, uninstall your current v.5.x
(nothing will be lost; it will remember your settings!)

2) install Skype v.4.2 from this authentic link:
  http://www.filehippo.com/download_skype/8287/
- Click on the Green button top right: Download This Version 18.19MB
- Choose to just Run it if given the option
  (or Save the fileSkypeSetupFull.exe somewhere and run it later)
 
3) When asked for signing up/ username etc.
- If you already had Skype working - click 'have one' and it should remember you
   (or just re-enter your user ID and password)
- OR Register as a new user

4) Once v.4.2 is installed, open it; you now need to ask it to stop any 'forced' updates.
- Click on:- Tools > Options > Advanced
- under 'When a new version of Skype is available'
  - deselect 'Notify me' & 'Automatically download it and install it'.

This should stop Skype trying to update you back to the latest version, but Skype is very persistent and may trick you into updating somehow; if so, what we do is simply repeat this entire procedure - boring but well worth the small amount of effort compared to the nuisance we and many others have experienced in version 5!

To connect with me:
Again, now simply click New/ New Contact in Skype and type leela.jamieson in, and then click Add Contact – I  will confirm as soon as I’m online to see it!
When I'm online you can call me or send me Skype chat messages; when offline, you can always leave a voice message (like a normal phone!)

In case of any problems, just contact me and John will be happy to help or advice.

PS Security/ Viruses in Skype?

Skype is, essentially, VERY secure. Howver, even though Skype has millions of users, and we have never been affected by any security concerns, as with all software, there are a few things that may be worth being aware of:

1. Most reported 'skype' virus problems seem to have been caused by bogus downloads pretending to be Skype! If you install Skype from www.Skype.com (or the link suggested above for v4.2) you obviously can't go wrong!
2. A second possibility is in the indiscriminate clicking of links that may appear in the Skype text chat window (possibly from friends who have become infected). This is exactly the same kind of problems that we have with e-mails and web links within the e-mails: discretion is always required, as explained and illustrated in this link 
3. Lastly, never accept Contact Requests from anyone you don't know - even from some official Skype-like user - and then acting upon any calls, as explained here.
   Ensure your Privacy Settings only allow your accepted Contacts to call or text you - see just below

Sensible Security Protection

Although we have never had any problems, we do follow some simple precautions:

A) To ensure you are only in contact with you people you know - check your Skype Privacy Settings are set up as below -and then never accept a Skype Contact Request from anybody you don't know, or don't have a sensibly message to you personally (even requests that ‘appear’ official or from Skype) - if such requests ever do come in, simply choose to 'Block' that contact.

Instructions for Skype Privacy Settings in version 4.2 (other, newer versions may differ slightly):

B) Just like e-mails, never click on a link if not 100% sure of it

C) Just like with e-mails, websites and any message that might come up on your computer, never believe or accept a message or pop-up window that says that you have a problem with your computer that must be fixed (except from your OWN known antivirus program), especially one that demands money to fix it - ha ha, or to install some software!