Skype

FOR

DUMmIES

by Loren and Susan Abdulezer

and Howard Dammond
Foreword by Niklas Zennstrm
CEO and co-founder of Skype

Skype For Dummies

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Copyright 2007 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
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About the Authors

Loren Abdulezer is CEO and President of Evolving Technologies Corporation,
a New Yorkbased technology consulting firm. He is an experienced IT professional serving many Fortune 500 companies. Loren is the author of Excel Best
Practices for Business and Escape from Excel Hell and served as technical editor
of Crystal Xcelsius For Dummies, all published by Wiley. Loren is always exploring new technologies and finding pragmatic and innovative applications. When
Skype came along he was quick to recognize its benefits in business and all
walks of life. This book is a direct result of wanting to bring those benefits one
step closer to a broader audience.
Susan Abdulezer is currently a full time Multimedia Developer in New York
City. Susan creates interactive DVDs, documentaries, and Web-delivered
media. She has received many honors for technology innovation, winning the
prestigious Computerworld/Smithsonian Award in Technology and Academia
in both 1996 and 1997. Susan has also written numerous feature articles on
education and technology as the contributing editor of Converge Magazine
from 1998 to 2002. Susan is active in the Digital Storytelling community,
exploring the nature and power of the emerging digital culture. She has also
been known to tear herself away from the computer to play classical violin in
the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra.
Howard Dammond is an experienced IT professional and technical instructor, having consulted at several major Fortune 500 companies. Howard has
20-plus years of experience as a technical trainer and developer of innovative
learning materials. His perspective on teaching and skills development was
first inspired and then intensively developed at Yale University in its unique
Master of Arts in Teaching program, where he focused on learning theory, the
acquisition and nurture of analytic skills, and interdisciplinary methods of
curriculum planning and development.

Dedications
Loren Abdulezer: To my parents, Ralph and Joyce.
Susan Abdulezer: To my parents, George and Cele (better known as
CyberPops and Mamou).
Howard Dammond: To my wife, Daria; my daughter Rhianna;
my son, David; my father, HR; my mom, May.

Authors Acknowledgments
In writing this book we feel as though we embarked on an enormous journey.
We couldnt have done it without the help and assistance of colleagues, friends,
and peers who have gone out of their way to be helpful. We express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation, and we acknowledge their contribution in the
making of this book and its companion Web site (www.skype4dummies.com).
Numerous people have been generous, devoting their time, energy, and expertise. We need to single out two people who were especially instrumental in
facilitating the connections to the right people within Skype and throughout
the Skype community. Thank you, Kat James and Romain Bertrand. Lester
Madden, Dan Houghton, Raul Liive, and Tony Saigh opened many doors for us.
Weve had numerous and engaging conversations both inside and outside of
Skype. In order of first name, we thank the following people:
Aaron Wellman, Adam Gross, Allison Kohn, Anders Hallin, Ash Valeski, Ben
Lilienthal, Bernard Percy, Bill Campbell, Bill Good, Brian Phillips, Charles
Bender, Christophe Melle, Dani Shefer, David Cohen, David Rivier, Deborah
Quinlan, Dick Schiferli, Elspeth Knight, Eric Choi, Eric Partaker, Erica Jostedt,
Eyal Gever, Faye Williams, Gershon Goren, Gordon Evans, Graeme Gibson,
Grete Napits, Heron Stone, Imogen Bailey, Jaanus Kase, Jen Webb, Jennifer
Ruff, Jeremy Hague, Jim Brady, Jin Kim, Joan Gordon, John Martin, John
Picard, Karen Gorman, Karen Richardson, Karen Sohl, Kelly Reed, Leslie
Schecht, Liz Tierney, Lou Guercia, Martin Dougiamas, Mat Taylor, Melinda
Kolk, Natasha Konstantinova, Nicola Riordan, Olivia Selbie, Philip Pool,
Philippe Tessier, Phillip Pyo, Rich Conti, Rouzbeh Pasha, Sam Aparicio, Sandy
Krochek, Sara Reitz, Scott Miller, Shira Litvak, Stan Kwang, Stella Porto,
Stephanie Zari, Tom Gillen, Viktoria Randalainen, and Wendy Dominguez.
We also thank all those friends and family members who helped us put Skype
through its paces, and especially George and Cele Pomerantz, who embraced
Skype wholeheartedly.
We are grateful for having Susan Christophersen, Leah Cameron, and Colleen
Totz Diamond as our editors to give our book shape, clarity, and coherence.
Susan Christophersen and Greg Croy did an incredible job of pulling this book
together. We also wish to express our gratitude to Jen Webb, Jodi Jensen, Mary
Corder, Andy Cummings, and Lisa Coleman.