Skype and it's History

Skype is a software application that lets the user make voice calls through the use of the internet.  Any calls with people who also have Skype are free.  Skype was “founded in 2003 and based in Luxembourg, our purpose is to break down barriers to communication”( Skype Corp.: About Skype).  Skype is completely free if you only make video calls with other Skype users but, with Skype you can “pay a little, you can do more things, in more ways, with more people – like call phones, access Wi-Fi or send texts” (Skype Corp.: About Skype).  When you pay to be a subscriber this allows you to make calls to people’s phones and even send them a text message.  You can pat with many types of payment plans where one is you pay when you go and another you pay in full for a certain amount of time.  This allows subscribers to be more free with Skype and it is extremely helpful with the users.

Here is a video that explains all about Skype with how to download it, make a profile and use it.

Skype Corporation. (n.d.). About Skype: What is Skype? Retrieved February 25, 2011, from Skype Web site: http://about.skype.com/

Advantages and Disadvantages of Skype

Skype is becoming an extremely popular way of communication.  Listed below are some advantages and disadvantages of Skype.

Advantages

• free communication
• can call across the world
• cheap to use (if you are a subscriber)
• brings societies together
• has potential to be a great technology

 Disadvantages

• need internet access
• has a negative effect on outside world contact with others (just stay at home and chat with friends)
• requirements to use it keep people from using it (computer, headphones, webcam)
• no language translator

As you can see there are more advantages than disadvantages for Skype.  I highly recommend using Skype because it helps keep in contact with family and friends.  It also helps businesses keep in touch with other companies over seas.