Internet Technologies & Hearing Loss –

Introduction to SkypeHeidi Walsh

Over the next few weeks, we will look at an Internet Technology per week including: Forums 14-03-2011 Chatrooms 21-03-2011 Blogs 28-03-2011 Facebook 04-04-2011 Twitter 09-05-2011 Skype

And how these technologies can support people with hearing loss

What is Skype? Is a online telephone service

More correctly known as VOIP - Voice Over Internet Protocol

It is a way for people to communicate with other people over the Internet using headphone/speakers and a microphone

Also has instant text messaging so you can type to the other person/they can type back

You can talk to one person at a time Or you can conference call with several

people Skype has an indicator that tells you if other

people on your contacts list are online

Skype calls are free if the other person is using Skype as well Useful for contacting overseas

Small charge if calling someone who is using a regular phone/mobile phone

Can use video camera to see other person Can also have a monthly paid account which

gives you inclusive calls to regular phones/mobile phones (from £1.95)

Also can include …

Charged services: Answering machine / voicemail Call forwarding for when you are not

online Permanent phone number – which people

with regular phones can use to call you Send SMS to mobile phone

Other possibilities: You can have Skype on some mobile

phones You can have Skype on a USB memory

stick and run it from the USB stick rather than installing it – means you can use it on other computers such as library, etc. www.portableapps.com

Other possibilities: USB Skype handset – looks like regular

phone but plugs into PC Skype phone – looks like regular phone but

plugs into your broadband box (lets you use Skype without turning your PC on)

Skype is not a replacement for your regular phone and IS NOT suitable for emergency phone calls

Extensions for Skype Record Skype calls

www.freecorder.com Pamela

Send and receive faxes PamFax PAYG (under Skype Menu>Tools>Extras)

Online whiteboard http://www.idroo.com/download

Uses for deaf people Text facility means that you can speak to

your hearing friends but they can type back to you if you cannot hear them

Video facility means that you can use lipreading – to some extent depends on quality of image

How it works You need broadband to use Skype To use Skype you need a free Skype account and

the software installed on your PC/mobile phone You need to choose a Skype name (username) You can set your account ‘privacy’ settings so that people

can find you but not add you to their Skype phone list (contacts) unless you give permission

Find and add people to your contacts list

Skype Software – main page

Allows you to set your online status – eg Do not

disturb

List of people you know who have Skype accounts and/or people who

you have added to your Skype phone book (contact list)

Simply click on a name to call that person