Skype Hacks
Skype Hacks Tips & Tools for Cheap, Fun, Innovative Phone Service By Andrew Sheppard
December 2005
Pages: 342

Cover | Table of Contents | Colophon

Table of Contents

  1. Copyright

  2. Credits

    1. About the Author

    2. Contributors and Reviewers

    3. Acknowledgments

  3. Preface

    1. Why Skype Hacks?

    2. How This Book Is Organized

    3. Financial Exchange (FX) Rate

    4. Skype Software Versions

    5. Conventions Used in This Book

    6. Using Code Examples

    7. How to Contact Us

    8. SafariŽ Enabled

  1. Chapter 1Start Using Skype

    1. Hacks 1–12: Introduction

    2. Make Your First Skype Call

    3. Chat Using Skype

    4. Set Up and Make a Conference Call

    5. Try SkypeOut, Risk Free

    6. Try SkypeIn, Risk Free

    7. Try Skype Voicemail, Risk Free

    8. Roam the World with Skype Zones

    9. Transfer a File Using Skype

    10. Make Toll-Free Calls

    11. Forward Calls

    12. Dial Like a Wizard

    13. Troubleshoot Skype

  2. Chapter 2Save Money with Skype

    1. Hacks 13–24: Introduction

    2. Back-of-the-Envelope Estimate of Skype Savings

    3. Avoid Falling Foul of the Taxman

    4. Avoid Problems Paying for Services

    5. Claim Your Money Back

    6. Avoid Higher SkypeOut Rates

    7. Avoid Additional Mobile Phone Charges

    8. Make Money with Skype

    9. Make Money with the Skype API

    10. Avoid Forfeiting SkypeOut Credits

    11. Get the Best Deal for VoIP Telephony

    12. Round Call Time to Your Advantage

    13. Manage Bandwidth Costs

  3. Chapter 3Configure Skype

    1. Hacks 25–42: Introduction

    2. Test Your Sound System

    3. Test Call Sound Quality (echo123)

    4. Choose and Configure a Microphone and Speakers

    5. Choose and Configure a USB Handset or Headset

    6. Choose and Configure a Bluetooth Headset

    7. Configure Skype to Use Regular Phones

    8. Configure Skype on a Laptop

    9. Configure Skype on a Pocket PC

    10. Test Your Internet Connection Bandwidth

    11. Test Your Internet Connection Latency

    12. Build a Skype Server

    13. Make Skype Work with Personal Firewalls

    14. Set Up Multiple Phone Lines

    15. Test Your Connection for Skype Friendliness

    16. Eliminate Echo and Noise

    17. Reset Your Skype Configuration

    18. Run Skype Based on Time of Day

    19. Schedule When Skype Runs the Mac Way

  4. Chapter 4Tweak and Tune Skype

    1. Hacks 43–51: Introduction

    2. Make Calls from Your Web Browser

    3. Accelerate Skype Using Your Keyboard

    4. Tweak Skype by Editing config.xml

    5. Run Skype from the Command Line

    6. Display the Technical Details of a Call

    7. Remove Unused Names from the Login List

    8. Add Fast-Dial Shortcuts to Your Menu or Desktop

    9. Fix Windows Wireless

    10. Fix Badly Behaving Routers

  5. Chapter 5Skype at Work

    1. Hacks 52–59: Introduction

    2. Automate Skype Installation

    3. Set Up a Toll-Free Number for SkypeIn

    4. Set Up a Call Center

    5. Integrate Skype with Microsoft Office

    6. Record and Archive Conversations

    7. Transfer Files Among Diverse Machines

    8. Disable Skype File Transfer

    9. Improve Service Quality

  6. Chapter 6Mobile Skype

    1. Hacks 60–64: Introduction

    2. Make Cheap Long-Distance or International Calls from Your Mobile Phone

    3. Communicate Using Skype, Even When Bandwidth Is Low

    4. Give Your Mobile Phone an International Dial-In Number

    5. Run Skype from a USB Memory Stick

    6. Make Free Calls While on the Move

  7. Chapter 7Skype Fun and Play

    1. Hacks 65–69: Introduction

    2. Fun with Ringtones

    3. Band Together with Skype

    4. Stop Incoming Calls from Interrupting Game Play

    5. Learn to Speak a Foreign Language

    6. Build Skype Communities

  8. Chapter 8Skype Chat and Voicemail

    1. Hacks 70–73: Introduction

    2. Log Chat Sessions Outside of Skype

    3. Automatically Forward Voicemail

    4. Listen to Voicemail Using a USB Handset

    5. Run Commands Remotely Using Chat

  9. Chapter 9Security and Privacy

    1. Hacks 74–78: Introduction

    2. Manage Your Skype Privacy Settings

    3. Scan Files Received via Skype for Viruses

    4. Manage (or Delete) Your Skype Public Profile

    5. Avoid Skype "Spammers"

    6. Choose the Right Username to Avoid Being Harassed

  10. Chapter 10Quirks, Gotchas, and Workarounds

    1. Hacks 79–85: Introduction

    2. Avoid Problems with Interactive Telephone Services

    3. Find a Fax Alternative

    4. Workarounds for 911 Emergency Service

    5. Workarounds for 411 Directory Assistance

    6. Workarounds for Home Alarm System Monitoring

    7. Transfer Folders, Not Just Individual Files

    8. Dial with More Than Just Digits

  11. Chapter 11Skype Add-Ons and Tools

    1. Hacks 86–90: Introduction

    2. Control Skype Using Spoken Commands

    3. Add Video Conferencing to Skype

    4. Show Your Online Status in a Web Page

    5. Send Skype Chat Directly from Your Browser

    6. Manage Add-On Access Control

  12. Chapter 12Automate Skype

    1. Hacks 91–100: Introduction

    2. Hot-Switch Among Sound Devices

    3. Automate Chat

    4. Automate Your Interactions with Telephone Systems

    5. Schedule Calls and Chat Using iCal on the Mac

    6. Send Email and SMS Notification of New Voicemail

    7. Convert Your Friends List to Fast-Dial Shortcuts

    8. Make Chat Talk Out Loud

    9. Erase a Skype User Account

    10. Spy on Skype API Messages

    11. Disable the Skype API

  1. Colophon

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