Skype Tutorial: This document seems long but it is mostly pictures. Many screen shots were included so
that it would be easier to recognize what you should be seeing. If you have any questions please contact Don or
Chris. Good luck and happy Skyping!
1. Go to www.skype.com.
2. Click on the “Download” tab.
3. Click “Download now” If you are working on a Mac you will have to look in the menu column on the
right side of the screen and click the Skype version you need for your computer operating system.
4. The next screen will be an install agreement. Click “I agree-install”
5. Next will be a browser highlighter. Unclick the “Yes” box. Then click next.
6. It will then go to the downloading screen.
7. Then a “Thank you for installing Skype” message will appear. Click Finish.
8. You now have Skype installed on your computer!
9. Skype will open automatically in its own window.
10. If you already have a Skype name this will be your log in page. If you do not have a Skype name click
on the link “Don’t have a Skype Name?” This window will appear.
11. Create your Skype name and password. It may be helpful to write this information somewhere. Once
you have created your name and sign in you will see a “Welcome” page.
12. It may be helpful to use the “Take a minute to get set up. . .” option. Specifically the “Find friends and
import contacts” and the “Check your sound works.” Please use the “Check your sound works to begin
with. This will ensure your sound settings are correct from the beginning. These things can be done at
any time. You will also find directions on how to find friends later in this document.
13. When you open Skype for a new session it will look like this:
14. As you can see I have Don as a contact as well as a few other people. Those marked with a green check
are those available to chat with or call. There are other icons that mean different things. The gray x
means not available. There are a few others that mean busy or away from the desk. They can be found in the “Skype” menu under “Online Status.” It will look like this:
15. To find another Skype user, click on “Contacts.” In the “Contacts” menu click on “Search for Skype
Users.”
16. This screen will come up:
17. Fill out the appropriate boxes and click find. Skype will search for the contact and provide a list of
people in the box. Highlight the person you are looking for and click “Add contact.”
18. Skype allows you to chat with people, similar to Instant Message (IM). Or, you can call people and
speak to them. It also allows for video during calls.
19. To chat: Click on the contact you wish to chat with. You will notice that Don’s name is highlighted in
the contact list. In the column on the right below the picture you will see a few buttons and then text.
This text is what remains of the chat Don and I had yesterday. Below this text there is a box. Inside the
box it says “Type a message to Don Duggan-Haas here.” That is where to type your text. Once you
have added text, click on the blue button that looks like a conversation bubble located to the right of the
box. This will send your text to your contact.
20. To make a call: Click on the contact you wish to call. When the contact appears you will have two
green buttons to choose from. You can click on either the green “Call” button or the green “Video call”
button. This will allow you to call your contact and talk to them either with or without video. The video
call will look like this:
21. You can also chat and call at the same time. This is useful for sharing links while calling. It looks like
this:
22. Now you Skype! If you have any questions please ask Don or Chris.
23. Once you have set everything up please make sure to add a picture of yourself. Click on the
“Personalize” button and select “Change your picture.”
24. This is where you set your profile picture. It will look like this:
25. You can “browse” for a picture already on your computer or “take a snapshot.” Browsing will allow
you to find a picture already on your computer by selecting the appropriate place. Taking a snapshot
will bring up this screen:
Click on the “Take a snapshot.” It will show you a series of boxes at the bottom that serve as the
countdown then take the picture. You can click on the button that says “save” or “try again” after the
photo is taken. Once you have selected a picture click on “ok” and you have added a picture to Skype!
