- Video chat with friends and family
- App can be downloaded onto iPhones and Android phones
- Compatible with Mac and PC
- Basic version is free
- Businesses can use this program to save money
Disadvantages of Skype:
- International calls cost money
- Government could potentially enable this program with wiretapping capabilities
- Wiretapping capabilities could cause security breeches
- This program could be another tool used for cyber bullying
- Requires Wi-Fi or 3G service to run
Here's a video to explain how to use skype:
Introduction
For
several years, people all over the world have been able to connect with each
other through a popular video program known as Skype. This program allows two
people who may be hundreds, or even thousands, of miles apart to communicate
through a video call. In order to transmit these video signals between two
computers, Skype depends on a procedure called VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol).
However, as with any technological innovation, Skype is not without flaws. Although
Skype offers a unique way to communicate with coworkers, family, and friends
through the Internet, the program also offers a unique set of issues to
consider including legal, ethical, and social issues as well as security
concerns.
Background
The
whole concept of Skype actually stemmed from a file-sharing program named Kazaa
(Aamoth, 2011). At the start of the millennium, Kazaa was created so that users
could share pictures, videos, and music files (Aamoth, 2011). Eventually,
Skype’s future creators, Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis, purchased the
popular file-sharing program from its original creator (Aamoth, 2011). Under their administration, the
program progressed further into “the most downloaded piece of software ever”
(Aamoth, 2011). After this significant progression, they sold Kazaa to Sharman
Networks (Aamoth, 2011). With their newfound confidence and the same idea of
networking in mind, Zennstrom and Friis began to build the program now
popularly known as Skype. (Aamoth, 2011).
Most
recently, as of May 2011, Microsoft purchased Skype for an estimated “8.5
billion dollars” (Microsoft Corp. 2011). Microsoft believes this merger will “increase the accessibility of real-time video and
voice communications, bringing benefits to both consumers and enterprise users
and generating significant new business and revenue opportunities” (Microsoft
Corp. 2011). In addition to benefitting users, this team-up will also “extend Skype’s
world-class brand and the reach of its networked platform, while enhancing
Microsoft’s existing portfolio” (Microsoft Corp. 2011).
As
Skype continues to grow, so do its features. Now, Skype is not only known for
video calls. The program offers many features based on which version a user
chooses to download. For example, absolutely free of charge, a user can make
skype-to-skype calls, one-on-one video calls, and instant message other users (Skype
2012). Additionally, for an extremely low rate of 2.3 cents per minute, a user can
call home or mobile phones (Skype 2012). If a user chooses to buy a Skype
subscription, the already low rate drops yet again to 1.2 cents per minute
(Skype 2012). Finally, if a user chooses to purchase the premium version for
4.49 cents per month, they can make unlimited calls to the United States and
Canada, participate in group video calls, and receive live chat customer
support if any issues arise (Skype 2012).
When
people are asked who benefits from the program Skype, friends and family come
to mind as many people use Skype to keep in touch with loved ones all over the
world. However, Skype can be used for business purposes as well. While most
users of the program are consumers, “30 percent of them also use the service
for business” as well (Reardon, 2009). As Skype has evolved into a program
backed by “405 million registered users,” the company has come up with ways to
better serve or expand their user-base by creating a service that businesses could
take advantage of (Reardon, 2009). This new service is known as Skype for
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and allows employees to place calls from
their office phones to any landline or mobile device for the same rate as other
Skype users (Reardon, 2009). Skype for SIP also enables its users to “purchase online Skype numbers available in over
20 countries to receive calls from business contacts and customers who are
using traditional fixed lines or mobile phones” (Reardon, 2009). One of the
biggest reasons that businesses choose Skype’s newest service is to help trim
company spending (Reardon, 2009).
Another
potential benefit of the Skype program is its recent ability to be downloaded
onto many mobile devices as an application or an “app”. This application, which
is available for android and the iPhone, lets its users communicate and use all
the normal features of Skype just as they would through a computer free of
charge (Skype for Android, 2012). The fact that Skype is now a portable program
benefits its user base by providing convenience in addition to its easy to use
features and now becoming more easily accessible.
Wiretapping
is one of the major legal and ethical issues concerned with Skype and among all
other forms of telecommunications in this century. Since less people are
communicating through telephones these days, a conflict is beginning to erupt
between the government and these companies (Savage, 2010). It used to be that
the government could easily intercept phone calls in order to conduct
investigations, but now intercepting such communications via the Internet calls
for a completely different type of regulation. The government is now asserting
their need for a requirement of “all services
that enable communications — including encrypted e-mail transmitters like
BlackBerry, social networking Web sites like Facebook and software that allows direct “peer
to peer” messaging like Skype — to be technically capable of complying
if served with a wiretap order” (Savage, 2010). As most people would agree that
wiretapping is unethical, James X. Dempsey, vice president of an Internet
Policy group is taking this beyond just an ethical issue. He claims, “they are
really asking for the authority to redesign services that take advantage of the
unique, and now pervasive, architecture of the Internet” (Savage, 2010). On the
contrary, the government claims that such regulations are “reasonable and
necessary to prevent the erosion of their investigative powers” (Savage, 2010).
The legal and ethical debate of this issue is far from over and will continue
on as long as new technological innovations are being produced.
The security
concerns of Skype are consistent with the wiretapping debate discussed in the
previous paragraph. If the government gets the approval to intercept all forms
of Internet telecommunications, the risk of security breeches will increase
drastically. Multiple advocates for the security of the Internet claim,
“requiring interception capabilities would create holes that would inevitably
be exploited by hackers” (Savage, 2010). In fact, around 2005 “it was
discovered that hackers have taken full advantage of a legally mandated wiretap
function to spy on top officials’ phones” (Savage, 2010). With advocates
pushing against the government’s request, resistance still exists today with
this concern, and the debate continues.
In
today’s society, the Internet it is impossible to discuss the Internet without
also discussing the recent social issue of cyber-bullying. As social networking
sites and VoIP programs have continued to develop, cyber bullying has evolved
as well. Cyber-bullying is considered “bullying through email, instant
messaging (IMing), chat room exchanges, Web site posts, or digital messages or
images sent to a cellular phone or personal digital assistant” (OLWEUS, 2011).
In addition, according to the iSafe website, “58% of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online
and more than 4 out of 10 say it has happened more than once” (iSafe, 2004). Grace
Soong from the Tribune states that younger generations tend to “frequently
utilize these tools of technology without realizing its power to influence or
hurt others” (Soong, 2012). Although cyber bullying is not as prevalent through telecommunications
services compared to popular social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace
or Twitter, these statistics should not be ignored. Based on the fact that Skype
users have the ability to Instant Message, it is possible that cyber bullying
can take place via Skype.
Skype
has changed the way we connect with others not only on a national level, but on
an international level as well. This VoIP service has attained much success
over the past few years and continues to evolve at a rapid rate. It will
continue to gain more and more followers due to it’s benefits such as being
compatible with Mac and PC, being almost completely free, and is now being extremely
portable. However, this program has run into some obstacles socially, legally
and ethically. Although, some of these obstacles have not yet been overcome, it
will be fascinating to see how Skype progresses in the years to come.
Aamoth,
D. (2011, May 10). A brief history of skype. TIME Magazine, Retrieved
from http://techland.time.com/2011/05/10/a-brief-history-of-skype/
I
retrieved this information on February 27th 2012. It is considered a
valid source because TIME Magazine is a popular and well-known magazine.
iSafe.
(2004). Cyber bullying: Statistics & tips. Retrieved from http://www.isafe.org/channels/sub.php?ch=op&sub_id=media_cyber_bullying
I
retrieved this information on February 27th, 2012. It is considered
a valid source because, as stated on the webpage, a study was conducted and
these statistics were gathered to prove cyber bullying is a serious issue.
Microsoft
Corp. (2011, May 10). Microsoft to acquire skype. Retrieved from http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2011/may11/05-10corpnewspr.mspx
I
retrieved this information on February 27th, 2012. It is considered
a valid source because it is from an extremely successful corporation’s
website, which is an expert in this field of study.
OLWEUS.
(2011). What is cyber bullying?. Retrieved from http://www.olweus.org/public/cyber_bullying.page?menuheader=1
I
retrieved this information on February 27th, 2012. It is considered a
valid source because the information used is directly pulled from the
organization’s website and has the domain name .org.
Reardon,
M. (2009, March 22). Skype targets businesses with new service. Retrieved
from http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10201830-92.html
I
retrieved this information on February 27th, 2012. It is considered
a valid because it is from an article from a news channel’s webpage.
Savage,
C. (2010, September 27). U.s. tries to make it easier to wiretap the internet. New
York Times.
Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/27/us/27wiretap.html?pagewanted=all
I
retrieved this information on February 27th, 2012. It is considered
a valid source because it is from a largely read and trusted newspaper’s
webpage.
Skype.
(n.d.). Cheap calls and group video calls with Skype. Retrieved from http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/prices/
I
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Skype.
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from http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=2&did=2585087041&SrchMode=1&sid=16&F mt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1330565230&clien tId=31810
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