Can You Use Skype to Chat?
Although computer-based calling software is perhaps best-known for the free computer-to-computer calls and cheap computer-to-phone calls it facilitates, it is capable of performing additional functions. Namely, the program is capable of facilitating text-based chat communication between you and other Skype users you list as contacts. As is the case with other messaging software, it's also possible to chat via Skype on the Web, in the absence of a Skype installation on the computer you use.
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Contact List
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One component of Skype that's key to how chatting works using the program is your Contact List. Unlike some other messaging programs that allow you to add contacts at your discretion and begin communicating with them instantly, Skype requires a user to approve each contact request she receives. Until someone approves you as one of her Skype contacts, you won't be able to communicate with her using the program, whether via chat or otherwise.
How to Start a Chat Conversation
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After you're approved as someone's Skype contact, chatting with him is easy. To get started, scroll down through your list of online contacts and double click his name. Click your mouse inside the blank field that appears at the bottom of the resulting window and type your message to him, hitting the "Enter" key whenever you want to break between messages. Click "Send File" to transfer photos, videos, songs and other media to your contact using Skype.
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Skype Chat and SMS
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Skype allows you to send text-based chat messages to other online Skype users free of charge. If you have credit you use for calling phones from Skype, you can also use it to send chat messages to phones -- in other words, SMS text messages. To send an SMS to a phone using Skype, click the "Call Phones" button in your buddy list, enter the phone number you wish to text, input a messaging into the field at the bottom of the window and click "SMS."
Web-Based Skype Chat
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Although Skype's video- and voice-calling capabilities require you to run the software on your computer or mobile desktop in order to be able to use them, it's possible to chat to your Skype contacts via your choice of Web-based messengers. Namely, sign in to your Skype account using free, Web-based services like "ILoveIM" and "IMO Instant Messenger" to chat with contacts in the absence of a Skype installation on the computer you're using.
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