What is Skype messenger online program and how do we use it

Skype messenger or Skype has been by far the most popular and widespread instant messaging program in the world. Some users go even further declaring that e-mailing is no longer in fashion and they are easily replaced by instant Skype messenger or other programs. We just don’t like to type when you can easily speak over the microphone or start a video chat, which is even more pleasant, when you see the face of your companion. Many online users wonder at how it is possible to have a decent and uninterrupted video chat with a limited and quite slow internet connection.

There are few things that should be mentioned about Skype program and why is it so popular today.

What is Skype?

Skype is an online software application which is run using VOIP communications protocol. VOIP can be translated as Voice over Internet Protocol, which is used for a delivery of voice communications and multimedia sessions.  Skype is used mostly as a communication means between computer users. After the Skype application is installed, users can send text messages to each other as well as have a real time conversation and video chat. To be able to do the following two, you just need PC speakers, microphone and video camera. If you don’t have any of them, they can easily be acquired at a nearby PC hardware shop.

Interesting things about Skype messenger online program

What is particularly interesting about Skype is their use of workstations. As few may know, in order for VOIP services to function, they have to be run on servers. However, Skype doesn’t use servers as their main workstations. Instead they use their users’ workstations, which have good internet connection, powerful and assigning them as “supernode” clients that are capable to service a large number of other Skype users. Besides, Skype communication process is run using a peer-to-peer principal: once logged in to Skype application, users connect to each other using other workstations as servers, but after the connection has been established, they communicate directly without any servers. That why Skype can hugely save and cut the cost on hardware maintenance – the whole network is run by the same users, meaning if there were no users, there would be no servers as well.

Few things must be mentioned about the VOIP network protocol used by Skype. It is called Skype protocol and is used only by it’s creator – Skype. It is a closed source, and is not available publicly and is one of the reasons why their connection has such high quality.

Why should we use online Skype messenger?

Why do we choose to download and install Skype messenger, instead of AOL, Windows live messenger or other programs? There is no short answer to this, but I can try.

First of all Skype messenger was chosen in the first place for having the best connection for voice and video chats. They were the first who have successfully overcame connection obstacles (hubs, network stations) and managed not only to connect users phonically, but also to provide the best connection quality. This happened because of their specific network structure mechanism and the unique algorithm used to compress voice and video chats even with small internet connection throughput.

Second – It’s simple and easy to use.

Once you start Skype download, you have to log in and if you’re a new user the obligatory sign up process takes just a few seconds. After that follows the “yes/no” and ”I agree/disagree” installation procedure, which can be controlled even by an absolute PC idiot. After finally you get to install it, your functional Skype messenger is at your own disposal. With the unique Skype name you may find your friends who already are in the network or search for new friends, which is done quite easily.

To add or search for contacts in Microsoft Windows or any other Operational system one has to open Skype messenger window, navigate to the upper left corner and select “contacts”. In the drop down menu press “add a contact” button and a new window will appear. There you will have to write the email, name and Skype name of the person you wish to communicate with. If he or she exists on the network, they will be displayed in the next window. As there could be more than one similar name, be sure to write more specific information. If you just write name John Smith, you will simply be lost among all the John’s and Smith’s in Skype community. If that person is available he will be marked with a green tick near his name. If, however, your friend is offline, he will be marked with a grey cross mark. It’s as simple as that.

You can also show sort and hide your contacts in any way possible, as well as changing your own profile, online status, adding a picture or even a video clip and tuning up your privacy options. Those are all done at a click of an effort, which makes it so user friendly.

Third – it is supported in more than 30 languages, which makes it even more attractive to a native speaking PC user, not so keen on English language. Remember, though English is international language, it doesn’t mean the Lithuanian or the Chinese can understand what it says.

Fourth, and this one is also equally important – it’s features. You can not only use it for text messages, but also for online voice and video chat. All this can be done even with slow internet connection and minor quality reduction. You might remember that first messengers were used just for text messages. Then voice chat appeared and it was Skype who managed to sustain decent quality connection, where other messaging pioneers failed. That’s when their popularity started increasing rapidly. Now you can not only use peer-to-peer connection, but also start a conference chat, offline text messaging, usage of emoticons and much more. Besides online number feature allows Skype users receiving calls to their computers from a regular phone subscribers.

Finally, it is run and supported on a number of platforms like Windows, MAC and Linux. Moreover, other platforms, like Windows mobile, Symbian and IOS (Apple’s mobile operating system) installed in mobile phones and other devices support Skype messenger as well.