Requirements

• Broadband ?? : For best results taking part in meetings it is best to have a fairly fast internet connection, a broadband connection of some kind is best, but  it may be possible to take part with a normal modem across a regular phone line connection.
• Headset ?? : It is a good idea to get a 'headset' a set of earphones with a microphone on a boom which comes round in front of your mouth. You may have an internal microphone built into your computer and this may also be usable for participating in a meeting but you will get better sound quality from an external microphone that is part of a headset. It is best to use a pair of headphones plugged into your computer, such as those that are part of a headset, instead of using speakers.

Setting it up

Skype is real easy to set up and use, and it is completely free to use it to talk across the internet. There are three steps to installing Skype on your computer.

1. Download Skype and install Skype if you've not got it already. There is  a good animated tutorial on how to do on a Windows computer on the Skype web site (click on this link to launch the tutorial in a new browser window). You can download Skype from this page.
2. You need to then sign up for a 'Skype Name' this is a bit like an email address - it is an identifier by which you will be known on Skype. Your Skype name  can be a nickname or anything memorable. There is a tutorial on registering as well (click on this link to open the tutorial in a new broswer window). Privacy : You don't have to enter any personal information when signing up for an account. Skype will ask you for your full name etc. but you don't have to provide it. The only thing you must provide, besides the 'Skype Name' you choose for yourself, is your email address but Skype will not reveal this to other users.
3. Well done you installed Skype. Easy wasn't it! You can now use the buttons on the right of this page to call this sites contact person Jamie P.

When you sign up for Skype you can also make a test call by double clicking on the 'Skype Test Call' contact that automatically appears in your contact list. This is a good way to test you have your headphones and mike plugged in properly.

Joining a Meeting 

To join the meeting skype or send a chat message to Jamie P the current contact person. Please try to contact the contact person at least 10 minutes before the meeting starts especially if this is your first meeting.

During the Meeting

During the meeting we follow a meeting format just like in a regular meeting.