Skype – Safe, Secure and Legal

Tony BrettDeputy Head of Information and Support Group

Head of IT Support Staff ServicesOxford University Computing Services

We’ll talk about these things• Why use Skype?• Installing and Configuring• Doing it on a mobile device• Getting the environment right• Prepare, Test and Practise• Doing a presentation with slides• Working with a partner organisation• Backup plans• Working with the PSTN• Demo• Final tips

People use Skype because...

• Skype to Skype calls are free• Skype is cheaper than airline tickets• Some friends/family are a long way away• It’s good to see someone as well as hear them• Video gives a much better sense of

communication• Sound quality can be better than a regular phone• It’s pretty easy to install and set up• It can be used for interviews

People dislike Skype because...

• Voice delay can be difficult• It can invade privacy• It can be a barrier to doing work• Not a whole lot else!

IT Staff are your friends...

• If you expect support for using Skype...• Or if the machine is college/dept owned...• Then as your IT Support Staff first.• It makes their life easier and yours!

Don’t start it unless you need it

• At login, need to untick “Start Skype when the computer starts”

Doing it on a mobile device• Now available for Android,

iOS tablets and phones• Can use front facing

camera• Use WiFi rather than 3G if

possible• Can be extremely useful• Make sure battery is well-

charged

Equipment

• Camera should be reasonable quality – but you don’t need to spend a fortune

• Echo-cancelling Microphones are useful for group situations

• Headset good for echo-cancelling for just one user

• Consider a data projector for a bigger interview panel

• Don’t rely on computer speaker and microphone• Don’t run laptops on batteries!

Your computer needs to have the resources free to do it

• Use wired rather than WiFi network connection if you can

• 100kbits/s each way– Not much these days

• Shut down other applications– Other apps can have a huge impact on quality

• Avoid Relays, Supernodes, TCP– You can see this stuff in technical call info

• Make sure you are using a current or at least recent version of Skype– Encoding is better and requires less bandwidth

Environment is important• Avoid distractions in the background• If you are wondering what is going on out

of frame then ask!• Use appropriate lighting and do it yourself

too• Be careful with bright sun as cameras are

not as contrast-sensitive as human eyes• Back-lighting creates silhouettes, too much

light gives washed-out appearance• Make sure cameras are at correct height so

you can both look directly into them

Not at 3am in Pyjamas

• Think about times of calls, sensitive to their timezone and yours

• Best if both parties are alone– Shared spaces are bad for this

• Dress appropriately for anything even semi-formal

• Don’t do anything on a skype call you wouldn’t do in person– They may have another screen or be recording!

Beware of being recorded...

• Can use two channels• One for interviewer, one for interviewee• Pamela is a Skype add-on that you can use• You should get permission to record (as part

of the recording)• It’s OK to ask if you are being recorded

Nobody likes 3am...

• Do you work better in the morning or evening?

• When do they work better?• Can you agree a time that works for both of

you?• Don’t be afraid to ask

Test & Practice• Do a test call with someone you know who is

nearby so you can meet them face to face afterwards and compare notes

• Do test calls the day before the main call to test quality and agree time– Important to do at same time of day as the real

call to check bandwidth etc.

• Do another test 10 mins before if you wish• This depends on how important the call is

Doing a presentation with slides

• You could have colleague send you a presentation for you to advance when they say

• Can put it on a projector and colleague on computer screen

• Make sure you are both on same slide– Use numbers!

• More recent versions of Skype enable screen sharing – But this consumes more bandwidth so use with care

Partner organisations can help

• You may have a good relationship with your old school or University

• They may be willing to set up a Skype Room– Have better AV equipment– Maybe a graphics tablet for showing working of

problems– Technical support to hand

Have a backup plan• Things can go wrong!• Get a phone number you can call the other

person on, in advance• Be sure to ring other party if Skype fails and

you can’t reconnect– They will need reassuring!– You may be able to email

You can have a phone number and call phones

• This costs money• Can be much cheaper than using normal

phones• Quality not as good as skype-skype calls• SMS also possible• Can be useful for a function-specific phone

number requirement

Demo

Remember...• It’s OK to give this a go• Don’t let the odd problem put you off– If it goes wrong you can try again

• Digital natives are more comfortable with this stuff than you might think

• This isn’t the best way to speak and I would always prefer face-to-face– But it is better than none at all and better even

than just phone

Questions?

• Thank you for attending today