Skype

Skype is an instant messaging application, based on the P2P technology. It is estimated that nowadays this program is used by over 200 million users. The popularity of this application is strictly connected with the multitude of possibilities offered by it, as well as the support of some websites, cooperating with this project. In 2005 eBay took over Skype, which resulted in the dynamic and extensive development of this application in the following few years. Although in the recent years appeared many new instant messaging applications, none of them were able to outclass Skype, and only few were able to get close to its level.

The main function of this application is a free voice communication between two or more connected users. For that, we do not need a super fast Internet connection. Additionally, with the use of Skype we can make phone calls to some of the mobile phone and landline networks. However, this function is payable. The phone calls are possible thanks to the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. Additionally, we can communicate with other users via the traditional text chat. Another important option is the possibility to hold a voice- and videoconferences. The help system and the connection and hardware configuration wizards make this application easy and friendly to even the beginning users. It is also possible to exchange files between users on the contact list. Skype is available for Windows operating systems, but not only. Skype 2.0 is also meant for Linux. The only drawback of the Linux version is that the source code of the application is not available, so users cannot develop this application on their own.