How to Chat on Skype With an iMac
IMacs come with Apple's video-chatting and instant-messaging software, iChat, but you can use third-party VoIP applications like Skype to chat with contacts who aren't on a Mac. Skype features free instant messaging, audio conferencing and video chatting with anyone on Skype, plus reduced rates on calls to regular telephones around the world. You can create a Skype name for free and use your iMac's built-in microphone and iSight webcam for audio and video calls.
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Instructions
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Download a copy of Skype for Mac at Skype's website. If you want to have group video chat capabilities, you must purchase a subscription for Skype Premium. As of March 2011, Skype Premium is available for $8.99 per month.
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Drag and drop the Skype application icon into your "Applications" folder to install. You can access a shortcut to your "Applications" folder in the left column of your Finder window.
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Open Skype by double-clicking the application icon and enter your Skype name and password. If you don't have an account with Skype, click the "Create New Account" button on the welcome screen. Fill out the fields and click the "Create" button. Set your city and country if you want contacts to be able to find you by location.
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Click the "Add Contact" button to add a contact, located in the top-right corner of the application window. Enter the Skype name, real name or email address for the contact you are looking for. You can also search for contacts by location, language, age and gender.
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Click the green "+" button to add a contact. Skype will show a dialog box confirming you want to ask the person to be your contact on Skype. Click the "Send" button to send your contact request.
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Look for the green check mark next to your contacts' names to signify they are online. Skype automatically lists contacts in your Address Book, but contacts you have specifically on Skype are located under the Skype Contacts heading.
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Click the green telephone icon to make an audio call or the video icon to initiate a video chat. You will hear a ringing, which signifies that you are calling a contact. When your contact picks up, you will hear him or her. If you are initiating a video chat, Skype automatically turns on your iSight webcam. If you don't see your video, click the video camera icon in the chat window.
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Click the blue text bubble to initiate an instant message. Type your message in the field that appears with the chat window and press "Enter" to send your message. Click the gray smiley face icon in the lower-left corner of the application window to access Skype's emoticons.
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