Getting the Most Out of Your Applications: Part 3 Skype

Take Your Calling to the Next Level by Extending Skype

GOAL: Turn Skype from a cheap phone call alternative into a multi-function communication, collaboration, mobile virtuoso.

Skype is the king of the hill when it comes to Voice over IP applications. Besides making free (or really cheap) phone calls, you can do a lot of other useful things with Skype. I’ll show you how to add in Video Conferencing, Phone Call Recording (for podcasts, not creepy stuff), Remote Control other PCs, and integrate with IM applications. In addition, I’ll show you how to take Skype beyond your PC and move it onto a bunch of other devices like an iPhone, PSP, or Nokia mobile phone.

When you first install Skype, it does a nice job of handling phone calls. You can make PC to PC calls with other Skype users for free. You can also buy minutes to call regular land line and cell phones for a very reasonable rate. You can also pay get an online number that any regular phones can call. This can be used from anywhere with a high-speed internet connection.

Skype is a lot like Firefox when it comes to plug-ins. They have a ton of plug-ins available on their site.

Calling Features to Make Your Conference Calls Amazing

Making plain old voice phone calls is great, if you’re Aunt Bee in Mayberry. You want the kind of stuff that you would see on the Jetsons. Here are some options to take your phone calling into the world of flying cars.

Video Calling

Let’s say you have to make a critical business conference call (or just argue with your fantasy football buddies.) with a few people. You could all jump on boring old conference call, but that’s lame.

Make a multi-person video conference call using VSkype or Festoon. This way you can all see each other while you brainstorm that incredible idea.

Warning: this plug-in is no longer supported, but you should still be able to get it working. You may have to Google around looking for community support.

Collaborate on Ideas

While you and your posse are on that fancy video conference, you may need to get on the whiteboard and demonstrate and collaborate on your brilliant ideas.

WhiteBoardMeeting allows users to draw graphics, insert text and images, and edit objects. All of you see each other creating and editing objects in “real-time”.

Remote Control and Share Each Other’s Computers

You may need to do more than just draw and show each other things on the whiteboard. Sometimes, you just need to grab the wheel and do the driving.

RemoteX is specifically designed for home users wanting fast and secure remote desktop connections with other PCs via a Skype call or chat.

Capture all of the Magic

This conference call is going to be so productive that you’ll want to capture every minute. No, you’re not going to assign someone to take notes. That’s worse than being the designated driver on New Year’s Eve. There are a couple of great ways to record your Skype calls and meetings.

Pamela Call Management Tool records regular calls, video calls, chat sessions and more. It also manages your answering machine, video mail and much more.

Skype Recorder – if you want something a little more simple and straight foreward, try Skype Recorder.

Integration with Applications and Services

There are a number of ways to integrate Skype with other applications on you computer.

Combine Skype with Outlook

The best application integration plug-in that I have come across is Skylook. SkyLook allows you to Make Skype Phone Calls, Send Instant Messages, and many other Skype functions from emails and contacts within Outlook.

SkyLook has a 14 day free trial. Once the trial period expires, you lose a lot of the more advanced features. However, you can continue to use a limited version which still has a ton of useful features.

Mute iTunes When a Skype Call Comes In
When you’re rockin’ out to your jams, and a call comes in, you don’t want to blast the tunes into somebody’s ears. SkypeMuter will mute iTunes when a Skype call comes in. Because we know that your neither your Grandma nor your boss want to hear your Slayer tunes.

Add Skype to the Web

Did you ever wish that people could call you right from a page on your website? Well, you have a few good options.

If you have any kind of website, you can use a Skype Button to allow readers to make a Skype call to you from any page.

Get the code here to put a Skype “Call Me” button on your website.

Skype Button for Wordpess Blogs

If you have a WordPress blog (like this one), you can use this plug-in to add a Skype “Call Me” button.

Skype on your Devices

Skype works great on your PC, but what about other places? You’re in luck, because there are ways to add Skype calling to just about anything with a processor and an internet connection.

• Make Skype calls from your iPhone
• Skype from your Apple TV
• Skype from your PSP
• Skype from your Windows Mobile Phone
• Skype from your Sony Mylo
• Skype from your Nokia Symbian Device
• Skype from just about any mobile phone
• Skype from your Nintendo DS (If anyone knows, put it in the comments.)

Rest assured, if there’s a new device, someone will figure out how to jam Skype onto it.

Helpful Articles on Getting things done with Skype

Here are some articles that cover other ways to help you get the most out of Skype.

Hacking Skype: 25 Tips to Improve Your Skype Experience

Tips for Better Skype Meetings

Skype 101

How to Make the Most of Skype

What’s Coming Next

This is the second in a six part series on “Getting the Most Out of Your Software Using Third Party Add Ons”. The next article covers plug-ins that will help you make some Apple iTunes magic.