Category: accessible Devices
I just downloaded the latest version of skype. I have no idea how to use it or, whare to find help. Please help!!
What screen reader are you using? Do you already have a microphone and speakers, or prefferably, a headset?
Just look under Geeks here on the boards. I have written a complete artical on exactly how with all screen readers, and where to find the manuals.
Getting started with Skype.
First go to www.skype and create your Skype account and download the program. The first link will say Join Skype you click that link, or you can click it right here and it will take you to the sign up page. Sign up. Once you have chosen a Skype name you cannot change it unless you create a new account, so make sure to remember your password answers in case you lose it and want to reset it.
• Next download Skype. That link is Get Skype You can also click that right here.
• Now when downloading Skype watch what comes with it. You don’t have to allow all the things. Such as the Skype tool bar, Google Ghome, the Google Tool bar. I’d uncheck these they are no good to you.
• Now you have Skype installed get the jaws scripts for it. Go to www.dlee.org/skype and download the first executable file on that page. While their also get the Skype Talking,
SkypeTalking_0.9Beta2_Setup.exe
• You can click this link or get it from the jaws script page, but this link here is more direct. It says beta, but it is not, and is a complete working version. I have it. Now about these two programs. You only need 1 of them to effectively control Skype. The Skype Talking or Jaws scripts will work independently, but install them both. I like to run Skype, and then start the Skype Talking, because it gives more information about calls automatically, but one or the other will due alone.
• Installing the scripts is easy when they download choose run and it will guide you. Just install them in your current Jaws whatever that last number is. If you have several installed use your arrow key to get to the one you want. Now read the instructions on how to use both the scripts and Skype talking. After installing the scripts press insert then F 1 twice quickly and you’ll go to the instruction page for the scripts. When you install Skype Talking it invites you to read its instructions. Last Skype to work best should be setup properly. You can learn how on the Jaws script instructions page.
This is old, so new scripts are available and the links don't work here. Also for other screen readers Skype Talking is best. The other scripts are only for Jaws at this time.
hi, just a quick note to download skipe talk
tom lorimer has also put this program on his page under the downloads link http://www.whitestick.co.uk
If you don't want to use the native Skype client you can also download the GW Skype program recently released by GW Micro. And no, you don't need to be a user of any other GW product to use it. It's completely free and, in my opinion at least, much better than native Skype since it was designed with accessibility in mind. And because it was developed using the Skype developer's kit it means that anytime a new feature is added to Native Skype GW will be able to keep up more easily than they were able to with the Skype app for Window-Eyes.
For those who haven't tried it yet but are interested, you can grab yourself a copy by going to www.gwmicro.com. Click on Window-Eyes and then App Central. I'm not sure why they put it there since the program is designed to work with all screen readers. Anyway just look for GW Skype. It's a lot more streamlined than the regular Skype, with a lot less tabbing around to find things.