The History of Skype

The telephone was patented in 1876 and went on to change the way the world communicated. From those first telephones, a massive evolution occurred. The first serious adaptation was facsimile machines, followed by computer modems, then cellular and satellite phones -- continual building of one innovation upon the other, further revolutionizing modern communication. The most recent development moves telephone communication completely away from the traditional and places it firmly into the computer era.

What Is Skype?

Skype is a computer program that transforms a computer into a telephone. Utilizing the transmittal of voices over the Internet, Skype converts voice signals into data, sends it over the Internet from the host computer, and then restores the audio on the receiving computer. The system is free between two Skype-linked computers, and has only a small fee if the person on one end is using a conventional phone. Like standard telephones, Skype has convenience features, such as voicemail and call forwarding.

Creation

Skype was created in 2003 at a company founded by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis. Originally called Skyper, it was later shortened to Skype when it was discovered that Skyper wasn't available with all Internet domains. The first public beta offering of Skype software was released in August 2003, and led quickly to updated versions for Windows, Macintosh, Linux and even the Sony PlayStation portable game device. In late 2005, Skype was purchased by eBay, Inc., and in April of 2009, eBay announced it would be making Skype an independent company again in 2010.

Video

Skype added videoconferencing options with its January 2006 Windows and Macintosh releases. Later updates added high quality video to rival stand-alone videoconferencing companies. In March 2008, the Linux system update included the videoconferencing features as well.

Problems

Skype is not perfect, however. The quality of sound varies from transmission to transmission, and it is not as reliable as landlines or even some cell phones. Security concerns are higher, because Skype requires an open network to function. This can make a computer a tempting target for hackers. System resource demands also increase because the software is essentially using the computer as a host for the Skype network. Skype is also unable to access emergency number systems, like the 911 exchange employed by the United States and Canada.

Future Use

As more users gain access to Skype, the service will continue to add features and improve quality. The system is rapidly becoming a significant competitor to cell phones, and could, within just a few years, change the overall communication landscape throughout the world.

References

• Skype™: The Definitive Guide; Harry Max and Taylor Ray; 2006