Using Skype for Live Online Appointments

Skype is a free program that enables free worldwide voice and video communication over the Internet (a “high-speed” internet connection is required). Skype also can be used with a webcam to obtain a full video connection, which works remarkably well to make appointments feel truly face-to-face. Finally, Skype has a chat function which enables the exchange of short text messages in real-time.

Thanks to Skype I can now offer worldwide phone connection (if you don’t have Skype installed, and as a backup method if you do) at no cost to you. Some country restrictions may apply.

Following are complete instructions for downloading, installing, and setting up Skype to connect with me:

Download and installation instructions for Windows users

(Macintosh users please click here for instructions.)
To install skype visit www.skype.com and follow the “Download Skype” link and instructions that follow, or simply click here to access the file right away. Then:

  1. Click “Open” on the window that pops up
  2. Wait for the download to complete (this may take up to a few minutes)
  3. Read and approve the license agreement by clicking on the checkbox in the window that appears soon after download completes
  4. Click “Install”. (If needed, instructions with screenshots for these steps appear here.)

Setting up Skype to connect with me

Once Skype is installed, run it (it can be accessed it via the Start Menu →All Programs →Skype or through the desktop). The first time you use Skype you will be prompted to register by providing a username (note that it will be visible to other Skype users) and password.

The final step before you can communicate with me is to add me to your  Contacts:
(If you have trouble completing this stage simply send me an e-mail and I will connect the two of us from my end instead.)

  1. On the main Skype program window you will note several tabs, the first of which is  Contacts. Make sure it is the active (highlighted) tab by clicking on it once.
  2. Click on the  Add a contact button found just below the  Contacts tab. (Alternately use the top menu: Contacts → Add a contact.)
  3. Type in ”davidnortman” (my username) in the window that pops up, and click “Find”.
  4. Shortly afterward, my name will appear in a blue strip a bit below. In case the search has not ended by itself you may click “Stop Search”.
  5. Double-click anywhere on the blue strip and then click  Add contact in the window that pops up.
  6. Another (final!) window will pop up, in which simply click “OK”. (You may leave a short text message to introduce yourself in case I don’t already know who you are. Leave the default “Share your contact details...” option on.)

After that you will see me added to your Contacts, with a icon that will turn into a or icon (depending on whether I am online or offline) once I approve your seeing my contact details the next time I visit Skype (usually within 24 hours).

Using Skype

At the agreed time of appointment you will need to have Skype open and be logged-in and visible online (the icon should appear at the right side of your Windows toolbar) and I will call you.

Using Skype Chat

If you ever see me online outside of your appointment time and would like to speak with me, or if your appointment time has arrived and I haven’t called yet, please send me a brief chat message and I will reply right away if I am available.

Please refrain from calling unless it is past your appointment time and I have not replied to your chat message, as this may interfere with another appointment, and I might not be able to answer at the same time that I could reply to a text message.

To send a chat message:

  1. Click on my contact name once,
  2. then on the (text chat) icon rather than on the (dial phone) icon,
  3. then type in your message at the bottom of the window that pops up and press the Enter key.

As a rule please avoid leaving any messages (beyond “May I speak with you now about...” and the like) via Skype’s chat interface, as I cannot guarantee that I will receive them. If you don’t hear back from me soon after (I may in fact be away from my computer at times when I appear online!) please contact me via e-mail or by phone, repeating any information you might have conveyed in the chat message.