HOW SKYPE WORKS

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There is some discussion in another thread about SKYPE, in particular, it's use to call in guests on our automated guest entry system, Perhaps this Post will clarify a few points.

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1) SKYPE is a VoIP (Voice over INTERNET Protocol) system, with some interesting capabilities.

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2) You as a SKYPE user who has downloaded the SKYPE "softphone" to your computer, may make calls to other such SKYPE users for free, anywhere on Earth. (pretty much)!

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3) You may also make calls to POTS (Plain Old Telephone System), read landline phones, and POTS phones may make calls to SKYPE users, but there is a small charge. Read the fine print on SKYPE-in (POTS phones to you) and SKYPE-out (you to POTS phones).

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4) SKYPE telephone numbers are NOT dynamically assigned, in other words they do not change every time you make a call. What you should do is purchase a telephone number which will then be your number, just like a POTS telephone number, more on this issue later.

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5) Once you have your SKYPE telephone number, you may in fact register this number with UCO, it will be entered into the automated guest call-in system like any other telephone number.

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6) Because SKYPE is INTERNET based (for communications purposes), a High Speed connection is required for optimal SKYPE performance.

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7) SKYPE calls are encrypted using a high grade algorithm, IE. they are secure.

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A few words about the selection of your telephone number. You have a broad range of choices; and you need to think about it: suppose for example you have a reletive or friend who happens to live on the Hindu Kush and he only has a POTS line (no computer), and that person calls you regularly, well, if you selected your telephone number using Area Code 946, that friend could call you from his POTS line free, because for him, that is a local call. With SKYPE, you may have up to 10 Telephone numbers, so your family and friends scattered world wide could make such free POTS line calls to you, if you select properly. Well, I guess you get the point, so read the fine print carefully, and select your number(s) wisely.
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Just one more point, you may make SKYPE conference calls, I have done up to 5 callers and the performance was acceptable.
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Oh yeah, SKYPE can do Video, nothing like seeing the Grandchildren and them seeing you in real-time!
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Reach out, and seize the power.
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I hope this is helpful
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Dave Israel
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