Skype.com is a great way to do video conferencing. The price is right (free) and it’s easy. Skype allows you to make free phone calls to other people who have Skype. You can also use it as a regular phone anywhere in the world for a few cents a minute if the person does not have Skype.
To do video conferencing with Skype, you will need a web cam, a built in camera or and external camera. You also need an Internet connection. Go to Skype.com and download the free Skype software. Follow the instructions.
The person you wish to video conference with must also have Skype. Put them in your Skype Address Book. This will show you who is available to talk and who is not. You can search for people in the search bar at the top. This will show if they have a Skype account.
In Skype, select or type the name of the person you wish to call. You will hear it ring until the person answers. Click on the video icon which is a symbol of a camera. Your face will appear.
Adjust the camera so you are centered.
The person you called can “accept video.” When he does, you will be able to see each other. It will be a small box on the screen. To make it full screen, click the box with four arrows pointing out. With Skype 5.0 and above, you can Skype video call with several people at once.
Good article. Skype cannot be used as pure video conferencing tool as it is mostly used for chats, video chats etc. One can even try using various other web video conferencing tools such as WebEx, gomeetnow, gotomeeting etc. or can deploy on premise web video conferencing appliance such as RHUB appliances in order to conduct webinars, web conferences, online meetings etc.
According to Skype “you can even add up to 25 people to your call.” So there are limits, but that’s one I can live with.