One of the newest applications used for chatting (featuring text, video and audio) is Skype.  Skype was founded in 2003 by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis. Skype created a little piece of software that makes communicating with people around the world easy and fun. With Skype you can say hello or share a laugh with anyone, anywhere. And if both of you are on Skype, it’s free.

Skype is available in 28 languages and is used in almost every country around the world.

Video calling is simple to set up and offers a great way to see friends and colleagues. Making a video call using Skype requires a webcam (in addition to your headset or speakers and microphone).

Install the software for the webcam and then plug in the webcam to the computer. Skype will automatically detect the webcam and offer a way to test the webcam to ensure everything is working correctly. Once that is done, any Skype call can include video.

From within Skype calls can be made to ordinary or mobile phone numbers using SkypeOut starting at approximately $.02 per minute.  For approximately $30 per year anyone can obtain a SkypeIn phone number with the area code of choice that will allow contacts outside the Skype network to call directly into Skype. You can also set up Skype Voicemail so people can leave you messages when you’re not around.