SKYPE HAVING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

Many of us use SKYPE daily and if so, you know they are having some technical difficulties right now. They are working on the problems and hope to have a fix soon. You can check out this information for yourself as to what to do in the interim to fix it, which we copies from the MSNBC website:

http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/05/26/6722180-skypes-not-working-right-now-heres-how-to-fix-it?GT1=43001

While you wait for Skype to fix things though, you can still use the service if you're willing to do a little bit of work. The "Next Web" has helpfully provided instructions on a trick which will let you sign in through your official Skype desktop client of choice (or you can wait until Skype fixes the problems):

WINDOWS VISTA & WINDOWS 7

1. Close Skype

· a. Right-click the Skype icon in the system tray (at the bottom right of the screen)
· b. Choose Quit

2. Ensure that “Show hidden files and folders” is switched on.

· a. Click Start, type run and press Enter
· b. Type control folders and click OK.
· c. Select the View tab and ensure relevant entry is enabled.

3. Locate the shared.xml file.

· a. Click Start, type run and press Enter.
· b. Type %appdata%\skype and click OK.
· c. Delete the shared.xml file.

4. Restart Skype. The shared.xml file will be recreated.

WINDOWS XP

1. Close Skype
· a. Right-click the Skype icon in the system tray (at the bottom right of the screen)
· b. Choose Quit.

2. Ensure that “Show hidden files and folders” is switched on.

· a. Click Start and then Run…
· b. Type control folders and click OK.
· c. Select the View tab and ensure relevant entry is enabled.

3. Locate the shared.xml file

· a. Click Start and then Run…
· b. Type %appdata%\skype and click OK.
· c. Delete the shared.xml file.

4. Restart Skype. The shared.xml file will be recreated.

MAC OS X

1. Quit Skype.
2. Go to the folder ~/Library/Application Support/Skype/
3. Delete the file shared.xml (it will be recreated once you open Skype again, this is fine).
4. Start Skype.

Please note on the MAC OS X that the ~ sign means your home folder. You can find your home folder by opening Finder and selecting Go > Home from the menu bar or pressing Command (Apple), Shift and H keys at the same time.

OS stands for Operating Systems

Skype - Version 5

With Skype you can make free video & voice calls over the Internet to other people anywhere in the world on Skype for as long as you like, wherever you like. Some features of Skype include free Skype-to-Skype calls, free video skype to skype calls, conference calls, instant messaging, SMS messaging and the ability to forward all calls to your mobile phone when you're offline. Skype to Skype is totally free.

Skypes “free software” must be downloaded on the computer you are using, to use Skype to make free calls or video calls.

The newest version of Skype is their 5.0 version, and the main feature that I can see is allowing group video calls. I've used Skype for more than 6 years but originally it was just a voice service for free calls from one computer to another..

We are also seeing that Skype and Facebook are working together so if friends and family have Facebook, you can make free Skype-to-Skype calls and send them “text” messages to their cell phones.

To download skype or check them out, go to www.skype.com

Skype was launched in August 2003 and it’s reported that Skype has almost 15% of the international voice market and 40+% of the video call market – so they seem to be doing something right. On Skypes Blog, they’ve stated that the word Skype is a Chuvash word ... meaning "The whole world can talk for free"

Computer Classes Begin Monday August 16th

We hope everyone has enjoyed their summer break... weather certainly has been wonderful - although a little hotter and more humid than some might like...

Our next 10 week Computer Class Series begins next week, August 16th and will run thru the end of October:

• Monday, Wednesday & Friday mornings 9am, 10am & 11am at Union Tower I
• Tuesday & Thursday mornings 9am, 10am & 11am at Union Tower II

The seat you have had in the past will be waiting for you - if you need to make a change on your day of the week or time - or know someone who might like to join in - please contact Denise Moloney ASAP... I believe we still have 2 or 3 spots available...so spread the word

This series we will be covering a variety of topics that you've requested, such as...

• Finding and Organizing whats on your computer, using Windows Explorer
• How to add, delete & clean up your files & folders
• How to copy & paste - Again!!
• How to save items and copy items to and from your flash drives
• How to use SKYPE to make free calls & video calls
• Using the Internet to shop & bank on line - lots of security tips and recommendations for registering on websites safely

And much more...

On behalf of Bob Donovan, Jean McCarty and Jack Bowes, we all look forward to seeing you all again for another great series... Cherie Houston

Skype - Free video & voice calls

With Skype you can make free video & voice calls over the Internet to other people anywhere in the world on Skype for as long as you like, wherever you like. Some features of Skype include free Skype-to-Skype calls, free video calls, conference calls, instant messaging, SMS messaging and the ability to forward all calls to your mobile phone when you're offline. Skype to Skype calls are totally free. Yep, absolutely nothing. Zip. Zero. Zilch.

FIRST – GO TO SKYPE.COM AND DOWNLOAD THEIR FREE SOFTWARE –. Go to the Skype website and download the Skype software which is free. Once you have downloaded Skype, double-click on the executable file to install Skype onto your PC.

• Next, create a new username and password to create your free account so you can login to the Skype network.
• Search for your friends and family on Skype by clicking on the "Add" button
• To make a call, simply click on the name in the contact list and press the green phone icon button located at the bottom. You will see a ‘Ringing’ status on the screen until the person answers or picks up the call. On receiving the response, the connection is established; you will see the ‘call duration’ along with time elapsed on the screen; To hang up, click on the red icon
• If your friends are not online, you can send SMS messages or forward your message to their voicemail

USING A HEADSET will improve your call quality. You can make calls via Skype with the in-built speakers and microphones found on most computers but a headset gives better audio quality Headsets can be cordless or plug-in

VIDEO CALLS, LIKE SKYPE-TO-SKYPE CALLS ARE FREE, so you can see your friends & family around the world and it won't cost a thing-you just need a webcam and if your friends & family also have a webcam, you can talk face-to-face

FYI-There is a great video which explains skype “basics” - He shows you - he's actually showing his dad how to use it.. click on the hyperlink below & enjoy

www.viddler.com/explore/JustinBrooke/videos/23/