Introduction to Online Video Chat
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Introduction to Online Video Chat www.brimbanklibraries.vic.gov.au Introduction to Online Video Chat Brimbank Libraries Contents What is Online Chat? 2 What do I need? 3 Installing Apps 4 What can I do? 5 What should I use? 6 Skype – Signing up 7 Skype – A/V & Privacy Settings 8 Skype – Searching for Contacts 10 Skype – Placing and receiving calls 11 FaceTime 12 Messenger – Signing In 13 Messenger – Navigating Messenger 14 Messenger – Chatting in Messenger 15 Viber 16 Google Hangouts 20 Viber 21 Where to from here? 23 © Brimbank Libraries Last updated February 2016, AS 1 Introduction to Online Video Chat Brimbank Libraries What is Online Chat? Online Chat is communicating, whether by text, sound or video, with people over the Internet. With more and more people accessing the internet on their phones or smart devices, a number of services have become available that allow for conversations to take place between anywhere in the world, without paying hefty international call rates. These services still use the internet, so are not truly ‘free’, but are often far cheaper, faster and better than traditional alternatives like mail and long distance calls. Communication comes in many forms. • Text-based messaging refers to sending simple, short messages similar to that of a SMS. New services allow us to do this without paying the cost of an SMS message, and even organise large groups to talk together. • Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) calls refer to voice conversations that take place over the internet, rather than a regular phone call. These are often far cheaper than regular calls, and are most commonly used to stay in contact with friends and family overseas. • Video calls use cameras and microphones to allow people to have face to face conversations over the internet. With cameras coming built-in to devices such as smartphones and tablets, and the rise of free, easy-to-use services such as Skype and FaceTime, this is becoming an increasingly common way to communicate. This class will explore some of the services that can be used to chat online. These include Skype, Messenger, FaceTime, Google Hangouts and Viber. All the services have their own advantages and disadvantages, with some being more suited to the devices you own. 2 Introduction to Online Video Chat Brimbank Libraries What do I need? To get started, there are a few things you’ll need; • An internet connection. o For simple text messaging, a basic internet connection with a small data allowance is all that is needed. o For audio and video calls, a larger data allowance is highly recommended for frequent users. The library offers free Wi-Fi access for members to use with their wireless-capable devices, such as phones, laptops and tablets. • A device to access the internet. o For simple text messaging, this can be anything ranging from laptops, desktop computers, smartphones to tablets. o For voice calls, this device must also have a microphone. On laptops and computers, the built-in microphone, or microphone input, can usually be identified by the small symbol next to it. Smartphones will always have a microphone, as do the majority of tablets. o For video calls, the device must also have a camera. On laptops, this is usually located at the top, just above the screen. Not all laptops have built in cameras. Phones & Tablets will require a camera on the front, aimed at the user. • An email account. Many services will require an email address when creating an account. 3 Introduction to Online Video Chat Brimbank Libraries Installing Apps As people shift away from using traditional laptop and desktop PCs and begin to do more and more tasks on their smartphones and tablets, it is important to know how to install new applications onto these devices. For example, the majority of the services covered in this class require an application, or ‘app’, to be downloaded and installed onto their device beforehand. Apps are usually installed from the phone maker’s ‘app store’. In the case of Apple devices such as iPads and iPhones, this is called the App Store. In the case of Android- based devices like Samsung, LG, Sony etc., this is called the Play Store. Install Free Apps on iPads/iPhones: Install Free Apps on Android Devices: 1. Tap on the App 1. Tap on the Play Store icon. Store icon. 2. Tap Search. 2. Type in the name of the app in the top search box. 3. Type in the name of the app and 3. Tap on the app that you would like to tap search. install. 4. Tap ‘Install’. 4. Tap ‘Get’. 5. Tap ‘Install’. 5. Review any required permissions, 6. Put in iOS password if necessary. then tap ‘Accept’ if necessary. 6. Wait for it to install. Done! 7. Wait for it to install. Done! 4 Introduction to Online Video Chat Brimbank Libraries What can I do? Chat using Video or Voice Video Chat services allow people to have face-to-face conversations with people over the internet. Not only do you get to see the person you are talking to, but often it is more efficient than talking by text or email. People often use these services to catch up with friends or family overseas or interstate. They are typically much cheaper than long- distance phone calls, using only the data in your existing internet plan. Chat using Text Online Messaging services allow people to communicate with short, instant messages over the internet. These services use only data: offering a far cheaper solution than SMS. Over the years, online messaging has grown, expanding beyond simple one-to-one text conversation. You can now send images and audio, providing a quick way to share moments with friends that is again much cheaper than MMS. You can set up group conversations: allowing you to have an instant conversation with a small group of people, making the planning of events much easier. These services essentially combine traditional SMS messaging with social networking; fast, cheap, simple and fun. 5 Introduction to Online Video Chat Brimbank Libraries What should I use? What device do you use the most? Android PC / Apple Phone / Laptop iPhone / Tablet iPad Do you (or most of your friends) use Yes Facebook? Messenger, No Skype for Video Are you more interested in video calls or Video Calls messaging and sharing photos? Skype Messaging and sharing photos Do you use a lot of Google Products? i.e. Gmail Yes No Hangouts Viber or Viber or Messenger Messenger Messenger 6 Introduction to Online Video Chat Brimbank Libraries Skype Established in 2003, Skype is one of the largest Online Video service providers, with over 660 million worldwide users. It is available in 27 languages, and offers free text, voice and video calling between Skype users. Most of Skype’s basic services are free: However, if you are trying to call telephones from Skype, receive calls from telephones with your Skype account, send SMS messages, or have a group video call (you with more than one other Skype user), then you would have to pay. For people with Outlook or Hotmail accounts, you can use the same details that you access your email with to sign in to Skype. Signing Up To use Skype, you first must have an account with them. You will have the option to create one when you first open a newly-installed Skype application. Joining Skype requires an email address. For people with Hotmail, Outlook or Live email accounts, you can use you existing login details to skip this step. If you use any other type of email, you will need to provide the following information: Full Name Your full name. This field is one of the most common ways of people finding you on Skype. If you have a very common name, including middle names can help people distinguish you from others. Skype Name Your Skype Names is your unique username for Skype. It must be between 6-32 characters, start with a letter and contain only letters and numbers (no spaces or special characters). Password Passwords must have at least 8 characters and contain at least two of the following: uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, or symbols. 7 Introduction to Online Video Chat Brimbank Libraries Email Your email address. People can search by email address to find contacts. Using an address known to friends and family will make it easier for them to find you. When creating an account on a computer or laptop, you may also be asked information about your birthday, gender and/or address, however this can be left blank. On mobile phones, you may also be asked for your mobile number. Providing it will allow Skype to automatically add friends from your address book into Skype, but is optional. Only your contacts will be able to view this information. Privacy When using online services, it is important to check how much of your personal information is visible to others. Whether it be Skype or a social networking service, always check your privacy settings. For more ways to stay safe online, visit the ‘Be Cyber Safe’ page at brimbanklibraries.vic.gov.au. Your privacy options can be found within the ‘Settings’ area of any Skype application. Its location varies from device to device. It is usually indicated by a symbol like this: There are several privacy options available, depending on your device: Allow IMs from IMs, or Instant Messages, is the text messaging part of Skype. By setting this to contacts only, only people who you have added as a contact will be able to send you messages.