Tuning In Free Videoconferencing - Clear Picture Communications with Skype
(
Page 2 of 6 )
Skype 4.0
Skype 4.0 brings some significant improvements to the product—enhanced
video and audio quality, full-screen video, and an easy-to-use interface. The
product also incorporates a bandwidth manager, which improves the user
experience over slow-speed connections.
There are a few prerequisites to get started with Skype 4.0. Users will need
a compatible computer (usually a Windows PC, but some products also support
Macintosh and Linux), a broadband connection, a Webcam (many portable PCs have
these built-in) and a headset (although not necessary, a headset is
recommended).
With Skype, getting started is pretty easy—it takes little more than
downloading the client software, installing the product, creating an account
and integrating the peripherals. Skype has this down to science, and it is the
easiest way to get started.
Usability with Skype is excellent—users who are configured properly just
need to click on a contact to initiate a voice or video call. Video calls are
very high quality, as long as a quality Webcam is used. The audio portion of
the call is clear; a built-in microphone will suffice for locations with low
background noise. For noisier environments, users may want to use a headset or
a noise-canceling Bluetooth headset, either of which will give audio quality
superior to most cell phones.
Skype 4.0 can be enhanced with add-ons from a library of extras. Dozens of
extras are available, ranging from the silly (Gizmoz Talking Heads) to the very
useful (Yugama SE Team Collaboration).
Most users will want to install a few of those extras—the most usable free
extras include Pamela Call Recorder (records audio of calls), PamFax (adds fax
capabilities), Convenos Meeting Center Extra (full-featured Web conferencing),
InnerPass Share and Collaborate (file sharing, screen sharing and meeting
rooms) and Supertintin Video Call Recorder (records both video and audio in
Skype). Solution providers will find it’s the extras that will make Skype much
more than a simple VOIP (voice over IP) client with video capabilities. Those
extras will only help to legitimize VOIP and videoconferencing solutions,
leaving the customer wanting something more and probably willing to pay for it.
/ 30 
Messaging and Collaboration 
