By By Jessica Moon
The world is talking, and it’s for free. Communication just got easier. Are you ready to Skype?
Skype is changing the way the world communicates. Founders Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, also creators of Napster and KaZaA, have discovered that cost efficiency is the key to communication with friends and family.
There are already 61 million people registered across 225 countries and territories worldwide.
“As the world keeps getting smaller, businesses are becoming more global, familes are farther apart,” Alicia DiVittorio, a spokeswoman for Skype, said. “There needs to be a cheap, easy way of communicating with one another. Skype is that way.”
End-to-end encryption, global user directories and conference calling are some of the many features available. This user friendly, easy to install software can be ready to use in less time than it takes you to start up your computer. All you need is Internet connection, speakers and a PC friendly headset.
Skype’s founders have made this possible through one simple idea; having calls travel between computers.
“Calling from PC to PC is free because your computers are technically just sharing information and talking to each other, like any instant chat service,” DiVittorio said.
This technology allows the user to make unlimited calls.
Skype has taken its features to a global level, adding and enhancing features. Students at the University held different views as to whether to sign up.
“Skype services seem like a really good way to basically connect with everyone you know, whether in your city or 300 miles away,” Zahra Rizvi, a sophomore, said. “I would definitely consider it. I would join Skype because of its good rates, fast communication ability and usefulness.”
Others, however, would rather stick to conventional ways of communication.
“I try to limit my use and dependency on [cell phones and instant messaging] and try to engage in physical communication,” Jerry Wong, a sophomore, said. “If I was heavily dependent on my phone, then I might consider it.”
Wibderubg uf Skype is secure? Skype has the Independent Security Evaluation Report to investigate and ensure the security level of Skype, DiVittorio said.
Not only is Skype secure and easy, but it works across platforms. It is compatible with Windows, Mac OSX, Linux and Pocket PCs. Files from a Windows user can be transferred to a Macintosh without difficulty.
The sound quality has been perfected to be superior to that of any other Internet voice service, with the assurance that calls will never be dropped unless the user chooses to end the call.
Skype can also go mobile with features like Skype Out, Skype In and Skype Call Forwarding. These, however, ask for a small fee.
Even though it is a European-based company, the United States is the market where Skype is expanding the fastest, DiVittorio said. Skype also has partner products with Logitech and Plantronics and Linksys, and is also with Motorola to create hardware devices that are compatible.
“Skype is not a replacement to the landline,” DiVittorio said. “But a robust communications platform that can be leveraged to increase productivity and reduce costs.”
Skype allos users to reduce those freadful monthly phone bills and call friends and family around the world for free. (Maggie Biunno/The Chronicle)
