The hype about Skype
In 2003, Niklas Zennstr?m and Janus Friis created this unique tool that allows “Skype to Skype” calls free of charge (calls can be made to landlines for a small cost). Skype membership is free; simply visit the Web site, download the application, create a user name, and you are good to go. Skype can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home, or over a cup of coffee in your favorite coffeehouse (using a headset, of course).
Blowing up your chat to full screen size can give the essence of actually sitting face to face with whomever you are chatting with. Sophomore mass communication major Lauren Carroll has been taking advantage of the program for the last two years. Carroll was introduced to Skype by her aunt who has been living in Paris, France for most of the year.
“Skype is a great way to keep in touch with friends and loved ones who are either in a different country or even different state for free,” Carroll said. “Being able to see those I love when I can’t be by their side keeps a smile on my face.”
Sophomore mass communication major Chichi Ifionu, from Nigeria, uses Skype to keep in contact with her family and friends back at home. Ifionu describes Skype as “a cheap and reliable” form of communication. Ifionu uses the program daily; it helps her keep in touch with her family overseas.
“It lets you have a video conversation with people far away for a cheap price,” Ifionu said.
Meredith Carpenter, a sophomore Spanish major who is currently spending her semester studying abroad in Spain, uses Skype several times throughout the week to communicate with family and friends back in the United States. She says that she likes Skype because “it lets her feel connected with things back home.”
“I am an ocean away but I can still see the faces of my friends and family and talk to them like a phone call. That and it is free, which makes it absolutely perfect,” Carpenter said.
Carpenter said that every student on her trip has taken advantage of Skype’s services.
Skype is used not only for personal conversations, but can be used in the classroom as well.
Keith Hamon, a professor at GCSU, uses Skype and other internet chat programs in his classroom a couple of times throughout the semester.
“I use video chatting to connect my students to interesting people around the world, depending on the topic of classroom discussion and my chat buddy’s availability,” Hamon said. “I also use video chatting to link back to my classroom if I’m out of town say, attending a conference. I try not to cancel classes.”
Hamon said that he is “a big believer in video chatting, and (thinks that) it works well in education.” Professor Hamon first used Apple’s iChat and was later introduced to Skype by a friend. Hamon wanted a chat system that “worked under a variety of Internet conditions.”
“It connects me to people all over the world with pretty good audio and video throughout. It’s rather easy to use,” Hamon said.
Skype is a very convenient tool that can be used to communicate in multiple circumstances. It is personal, easy to use, and best of all, free of charge. The first time excitement of seeing your fellow chatter’s face appear live never wears off.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Jan 30 2009. Filed under Features.
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