{"product_id":"9780596553654","title":"Skype Hacks: Tips \u0026 Tools for Cheap, Fun, Innovative Phone Service","description":"\u003cp\u003eIf you've heard about Skype--and who hasn't with all the recent media attention devoted to internet telephone services--chances are you've been mighty tempted to try it out. \u003ci\u003eSkype Hacks\u003c\/i\u003e tells you what all the Skype hype is about, explains the basics, and shows you more than 100 clever tips and tricks for tweaking and tuning Skype to make it do just what you want and more.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMillions of people (48 million and counting, in fact) have opted for Skype, which uses peer-to-peer (P2P) technology to turn any PC, Mac, or Pocket PC into a telephone. Skype offers free calls between computers and extremely cheap calls to \"old-fashioned\" phone numbers (landlines and mobile phones). The sound quality is excellent, and end-to-end encryption means the connection is private and secure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut if you really know what you're doing, Skype can accomplish a whole lot more than that. Software developer and author Andrew Sheppard recently converted his entire house to Skype and uses it for all his personal and business calls, even when he's traveling. In \u003ci\u003eSkype Hacks\u003c\/i\u003e, he shows you how to do things with the technology that even the engineers at Skype probably never intended.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eSkype Hacks\u003c\/i\u003e shows you how to:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGet started with Skype\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFigure out how much money you're saving and maximize your savings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCut the ties to your old phone company\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOptimize your Skype configuration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntegrate Skype with desktop tools like Microsoft Office and your web browser\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSet up a Skype-based call center\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe book offers ideas for creating and organizing a contacts list, using Skype to transfer files, taking advantage of chat and voicemail capabilities, turning a PDA into a mobile phone, and automating Skype for even greater efficiency. So whether you'd simply like to give Skype a trial run, you want new Skype ring tones and fun on-hold music, or you're considering wiring your home with Skype to get rid of \"regular\" phone service altogether, \u003ci\u003eSkype Hacks\u003c\/i\u003e is your ideal guide.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"O'Reilly Media, Incorporated","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47124542259440,"sku":"9780596553654","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9780596553654_p0.jpg?v=1763724608","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9780596553654","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}