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Now that you have Skype set up on your computer, it's time to make your first call. For some,
this is what Skype's all about.
I've already added a few friends and family to my contacts list. It looks like everyone's
online, too—except for Bryan… and Ruben, whose online status is set to Away. You can
tell by the icon next to his name.
Let's review exactly what you need before your first call on Skype. To start, make sure
you're connected to the internet; your volume is turned up; and your speakers and microphone
are plugged in, if they're not built into your computer.
I also recommend making a test call, using the Echo / Sound Test Service on your contacts
list. Here's how it works. Just click the contact… and their information opens in
a pane on the right. (This is actually how you call anyone on Skype.)
To begin the test call, click the Call button. The call window will open, and an automated
service (in other words, a recording) will walk you through testing your equipment. Just
follow the operator's instructions, and visit Skype.com for help if you have any technical
difficulty.
p2 Now the test call is over, and I know my equipment
is working. To let my friends know I'm online and available, I'm just going to set my status
to Online… and then call someone.
How about Stephen? Again, to call any one of your contacts, just click them on your
contacts list. Then come over here to their information, and click the Call button. The
phone will ring until they answer.
Stephen: Hello? Bronwen: Hey, Stephen! How's New York?
Stephen: Great! How's the Skype tutorial going?
Remember: calls to other people on Skype are free, so you can talk as long as you want.
When you're done, click the End Call button near the bottom of the window.
Answering calls is just as easy. Here's what it looks like when someone calls you.
To pick up, use the Answer button… or Decline if you're too busy to talk (or don't recognize
who's calling). You can also "Answer with video" using your webcam. You'll learn more
about that in our next video, titled Making Video Calls with Skype.
There's one more type of call you can make for free on Skype: a group call, with up to
25 people.
Group calls are great for bringing family and friends together, or for conference calls
at work. Skype gives you two ways to set one up. The first is by clicking the Group button
above your contacts list.
An empty group will open on the right, where you can either drag and drop the people you
want to call…
Or click the + button… then choose Add People to add them manually.
Just click a name… then the Select button… and Add when you're done.
Now I have two people in my group. When you're ready to begin, click the Call Group button.
Elizabeth: Hey, everybody! Mia: Hey, Elizabeth! How are you guys?
Elizabeth: Wow, this is really cool…
The second way to make a group call is to add people while the call is already in progress.
Just click the + button… then choose "Add people to this call."
Now you can select the people you want to bring into the group. When you're done, click
"Add to call," and then just wait for them to answer.
Stephen: Hello? Bronwen: Hey, Stephen! Mia and Elizabeth are
on the call too.
Once again, click the End Call button when you're done.
And before I do anything else, I'm going to save this group to my contacts… and give
it a name [GCF Crew]… so I can easily call this group of people again.
Now you know how to call people for free on Skype—both one-on-one, and in a group.