Skype is a program for free internet VOIP phone calls, very easy to download and use. It's sufficient to visit its web site (http://www.skype.com) and download the installation file. After installation it will be necessary to create a Skype account in order to start using it. It's fundamental to be in possession of loudspeakers (or headphones) and a microphone.You must also know your friends' skype account in order to add them to your contact list and start a free phone conversations with them (they will have to have a skype account themselvers and the program installed ontheir own PC too). Likeable too is the possibility to host a Call Conference up to 5 participants, owner included. Among other Skype offers the possibility to start a text chat with friends, to send files of every kind. Should you have a web cam installed on your PC then it would be possible to have a video-call. According to your own likings you can decide whether to make public your profile or not, in order to start random chat and telephone calls with anyone should decide to contact you. Of course It is also possible to call external phone numbers (non-skype users) by digiting the phone number figures in its numeric key panel, though this very functionality is not for free.
To this purpose you need to get yourself some “Skype credit” to be paid via Credit Card and then you can dial fixed phones at the rate of 1,7 Cent of Euro per minute (calls towards mobiles are a bit more expensive); with Skype in a personal number Skype can be purchased in order to receive calls on the PC from mobiles and fixed telephones; Furthermore with a small sum you can also buy the Skype Voicemail, an automatic answering machine service, that will respond, among other things, to the telephone in your place (In case a personal number has already been purchased the subscription to Skype Voicemail is for free). Some time ago a Beta version has been realeased for download (a beta version is less stable one). Thanks to it Skype will be able to feature a newer and more original skin. I almost forgot: it is also possible to attach your own pic and make it visible to every Skype users in the world…