Skype Hacks

"Tips & tools for cheap, fun, innovative phone service"--Cover.

This useful book gives Windows power users everything they need to get the most out of their operating system, its related applications, and its hardware.

Voice over Internet Protocol is gaining a lot of attention these days. Both practical and fun, this text provides technology enthusiasts and voice professionals with dozens of hands-on projects for building a VoIP network, including a softPBX.

Provides instructions for a variety of multimedia projects that can be done with Linux, including creating DVDs and VCDs, streaming audio and video over the Internet, and building a MythTV digital media hub.

Podcasting does for Internet audio listeners what TiVo does for television viewers--it puts you in charge of when you enjoy a program. Podcasting is a web-based broadcast medium that sends audio content (most commonly in the MP3 format) directly to an iPod or other digital audio player. You subscribe to audio feeds, receive new files automatically, and listen to them at your convenience. As you can imagine, podcasting is taking the "blogsphere" by storm. A podcast is a professional-quality Internet radio broadcast, and like blogging and HTML before it, this revolutionary new way of publishing to the Internet has become the new outlet for personal expression. If you've got Internet access and a copy of Podcasting Hacks, you can find out just how easy it is to listen to and create your own Internet audio programs. With Podcasting Hacks, Jack Herrington, a software engineer with 20 years of experience developing applications using a diverse set of languages and tools, delivers the ultimate how-to of podcasting for anyone looking to get the most out of this hot new medium. Since August 2004 (the month that iPodder.com editor Adam Curry considers the start of podcasting), audio blogging has exploded. Podcasts cover every conceivable topic, including sex, relationships, technology, religion, home brewing, recreational drugs, rock 'n roll, food, entertainment, politics, and much more. There were podcasts from the Democratic National Convention in Fall 2004, and some programs on Air America and NPR are also podcasts. Podcasting Hacks offers expert tips and tools for blogging out loud--for transmitting (and receiving) audio content worldwide with ease. This groundbreaking volume covers both entry-level and advanced topics perfect for aspiring and experienced podcasters. Herrington shows you how to get started, create quality sound, use the right software, develop a great show, distribute a podcast, and build an audience. More advanced topics include audio editing, podcasting on the go, and even videocasting.

If you've heard about Skype--and who hasn't with all the recent media attention devoted to Internet telephone services--chances are you've been mighty tempted to try it out. Skype Hacks tells you what all the Skype hype is about, explains the basics, and shows you more than 100 clever tips and tricks for tweaking and tuning Skype to make it do just what you want and more.

If you've heard about Skype--and who hasn't with all the recent media attention devoted to internet telephone services--chances are you've been mighty tempted to try it out. Skype Hacks tells you what all the Skype hype is about, explains the basics, and shows you more than 100 clever tips and tricks for tweaking and tuning Skype to make it do just what you want and more. Millions of people (48 million and counting, in fact) have opted for Skype, which uses peer-to-peer (P2P) technology to turn any PC, Mac, or Pocket PC into a telephone. Skype offers free calls between computers and extremely cheap calls to old-fashioned phone numbers (landlines and mobile phones). The sound quality is excellent, and end-to-end encryption means the connection is private and secure. But if you really know what you're doing, Skype can accomplish a whole lot more than that. Software developer and author Andrew Sheppard recently converted his entire house to Skype and uses it for all his personal and business calls, even when he's traveling. In Skype Hacks, he shows you how to do things with the technology that even the engineers at Skype probably never intended. Skype Hacks shows you how to: Get started with Skype Figure out how much money you're saving and maximize your savings Cut the ties to your old phone company Optimize your Skype configuration Integrate Skype with desktop tools like Microsoft Office and your web browser Set up a Skype-based call center The book offers ideas for creating and organizing a contacts list, using Skype to transfer files, taking advantage of chat and voicemail capabilities, turning a PDA into a mobile phone, and automating Skype for even greater efficiency. So whether you'd simply like to give Skype a trial run, you want new Skype ring tones and fun on-hold music, or you're considering wiring your home with Skype to get rid of regular phone service altogether, Skype Hacks is your ideal guide.

Like many software products, Skype does not come with a user manual. The Ultimate Guide to Skype Tips and Tricks makes it easy to unlock the power of Skype’s best features. Stop wasting your time endlessly googling how to use individual features and settings – get them all in one place with this handy guide. Learn how to... · Manage your contacts · Use secret emoticons · Master in-call controls · Stop annoying pop-ups · Create keyboard shortcuts · Protect your privacy · Backup your Skype data