Dave Taylor shares step-by-step instructions for making video calls over the Internet using Skype

Keywords: video, calls, Skype, how-to, software tutorial, Inside Scoop

I'm so psyched about the multi person video chat capabilities in Google Plus (thanks for the invite, btw, Dave!) and want to join one. How do I join a video chat?

I'm paranoid about passwords and now that there are more stories of password and account data circulating I want to change everything! But I can't figure out Skype. How do I change my Skype account?

I do a lot of business via Skype and often have a chat window open with my partner while we're on the line with a client. We have a backchannel conversation going on so we can ensure we're in agreement on terms, schedules, etc, but what drives me crazy is that each time I get a chat message there's a small "bloop" sound. Can I turn this Skype audio notification off?

I want to have a conference call with two colleagues via Skype but while it's pretty straightforward to set up a call between two of us, I am not clear how to add the third person. Do we need to start out with a conference call or chat room for this to work?

More and more, people are finding that Skype is a great alternative to picking up the phone and calling a friend or colleague, whether they're just a few miles away or halfway around the globe. I use the service to collaborate with people from around the United States and since we both run the free app (get it at skype.com) it's completely free for all parties involved. With a bit of fiddling, you can even set up three way conference calls.

Or you can do what I do: use Skype as a way to record podcasts (I'm involved with two: Boulder Open Podcast and Three In Sight) even when everyone can't sit down in the same room in front of the same microphone. But how do you record Skype calls? That's not a feature built into the application.

That's where Call Recorder for Skype from Ecamm Network came in: I downloaded a copy of this commercial application ($19.95) and installed it on my Mac.

A number of my friends and business colleagues use Skype and I'd like to be able to chat with them while traveling, but I don't know their Skype account names. Is there some directory of Skype names and/or some best practices about how to search for someone in the Skype universe?

I kind of hate to admit it, but I've been using my son's Skype account on my Mac because I can't figure out how to sign up for a new one. You're a master of technology, however, Dave, so can you show me how to easily get a new Skype account?

Just heard about the slick Skype for iPhone and want to get it and install it. Well, I can get it by downloading it from the App Store, but can you step me through configuring the Skype application so I can start using it ASAP?

I'm really enthused about switching from my existing house phone provider to Vonage, since it seems like it'd be cheaper and much more portable, but I'm afraid that 911 calls won't work, which scares me. Can you use 911 from an Internet phone?

I was using Skype the other day on my PC and suddenly Windows Security Center popped up a warning message telling me that my computer was infected by a virus and that I needed to install a repair utility of some sort. Huh? What's that all about, Dave?

I've read all your other Sony PSP articles fanatically, but I haven't found anything you've written about how to access the Skype service from the PSP. Can you show me how to connect with my Skype friends through my Sony PSP, please?

eBay bought several country-specific auction sites like Baazee.com of India and a similar site in Netherlans. Full list can be found here: eBay Acquisitions. While eBay is a web based company, it could have had its own version in all of the countries like india.ebay.com instead of buying its clones for whopping amounts of money. I would be very thankful to u, if u can explain me this peculiar trend.

I'm a big fan of MySpace and all my friends are too, but we really want to be able to talk real-time rather than just send email messages back and forth and post endless bulletins. I know Google has its IM service, Microsoft has one, heck, even Yahoo has an IM service, but what about MySpace? Is there a MySpace Messenger?