Skype

==

=**Skype**=


 * Skype** is a prprietary peer-to-peer Internet telephony networkm, also know as VoIP. Skype is created by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis, they are also the founders of KaZaA. It is the basic computer-to-computer service that allows users to speak, to send instant messages or to send files to one another from their computers via the Internet. Skype users can speak to other Skype users for free. A maximum of five users are allowed in a conference. Skype also has paid services that can allow users to call traditional telephone numbers (SkypeOut), receive calls from traditional phones (SkypeIn), and receive voicemail messages.

The main difference between Skype and other VoIP clients is that it operates on a peer-to-peer model rather than the traditional server-client model. Skype users must have the software running on their computer in order to use. This software is currently available free of charge and can be downloaded from the company website, but the software is proprietary. The current versions now can be used in Microsoft Windows (Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows CE (Pocket PC)), Mac OS X and GNU/Linux.

**SkypeOut [[image:http://www.skype.net/i/share_new/buttons/call_green_white_153x63.png width="115" height="45"]]**

 * SkypeOut** is one of the paid feature of the Skype Internet telephony service, which gives Skype users to call any non-computer-based landline or mobile telephone in the world. Unlike international long-distance calls made from conventional telephones, which are traditionally rated according to the relative distance between countries, SkypeOut charges all calls according to the level of telecommunications liberalisation of the destination country, the volume of calls made from and to a given country, and access charges such as those to mobile phones. This rating method is used due to the fact that calls are rated the same regardless of place of origin. A SkypeOut user will be billed the same for a call placed to a telephone number in London, whether the user is calling from his/her computer in London itself, or from a different country.

**SkypeIn**

 * SkypeIn** allows Skype users to receive calls on their computers that has been dialed by regular phone subscribers to regular phone numbers. Users can have multiple SkypeIn phone numbers bound to the same account. An advantage for this function is that, for instance, someone who does business in both Toronto and Tokyo could create a local SkypeIn number in each city, and callers from those locations would pay cheap or free local rates.

**Skype Voicemail**
The feature of **Skype Voicemail** allows callers to leave voice-mail messages for Skype users who are not online, on another call or otherwise indisposed. It works the just the same way as regular mobile voicemail services. This can be purchased separately and is included with the SkypeIn service.

**Skype Video Calling**
The **Skype Video Calling** service gives the user to operate video conferencing through Skype. This feature is only supported when the user is running Windows XP or Mac OS X with an Intel processor on a computer. The feature is not available for AMD PC or PowerPC Apple Macintosh users.

**History**
· April 23, 2003: Skype.com and Skype.net domain names registered · August 29, 2003: First public beta version released · June 27, 2004: SkypeOut credits first available for purchase on Skype website. · October 20, 2004: First time 1 million Skype users are online at once. · March 10, 2005: SkypeIn Public Beta starts. · March 11, 2005: Skype press release reports 1 million Skype-out users and 29 million registered users. · April 15, 2005: Downloaded more than 100 million times. · June 19, 2005: Ten billion minutes of voice conversation served. · September 12, 2005: eBay announces purchase of Skype. · October 18, 2005: eBay completes purchase of Skype. · December 1, 2005: Skype launches Skype 2.0 in beta for Windows, a major new feature is videotelephony to other Skype users. · January 19, 2006: Skype 2.0 official release.

**Work Cited**
"Skype - The whole world can talk for free." __Skype__. Skype Limited. 26 Feb. 2006 <[|http://www.skype.com]>.

"Skype." __Skype - Wikipedia, the free encclopedia__. 26 Feb. 2006. 25 Feb. 2006 .