Skype: For your viewing pleasure

Skype has become one of the largest forms of video communication in the world bringing people from different nations, states, even dorm rooms together online to converse. This software has many pros allowing people to communicate effectively over long distances. The software allows people from different countries to talk to friends or relatives while also seeing a video of them. Skype is a type of extension from a typical telephone call. In normal calling, one has no access to viewing the body language or facial expressions being used; however, with Skype it allows for almost a full encounter. The software can also be used in education. Many people from other countries would like to experience a full education but are unable to travel to a major university to access this education, but many universities offer Skype or Youtube videos of the lectures allowing almost anyone access to the knowledge.

Although Skype has many pros, the program had many negative aspects as well. The program is especially problematic in large groups. As demonstrated in our class, there were many technical problems with Skype. Skype froze many times and in order for our class to communicate we had to almost yell for the teacher to hear or understand us. Skype is a very good software for person to person conversation, but with use in large groups it is very difficult to coordinate. The start up costs of Skype are also troublesome. In order to use Skype, one needs to have a computer, preferably with a fast processor, and Internet, preferably high speed. In order to use the video and audio functions of Skype, one needs a webcam and a microphone. These start up costs and technical issues make Skype limited in its uses and functions; however, for the right purposes and groups, Skype can be very useful.