Working with Skype

As broad band Internet becomes more and more common place, Voice over IP calls are quickly catching up with instant messaging in popularity. In particular Skype which combines Voice of IP calls with instant messaging, has emerged as the epitome of this new phenomenon in modern communications. And eM Client therefore can hardly call itself a communications hub without Skype support.

eM Client though can not replace Skype, since Skype is a proprietary software and does not open its protocols to the public, eM Client can however work along side with Skype and act as a surrogate agent for all Skype functions. This means while Skype and eM Client are both running, eM Client can handle Skype instant messaging as well as Skype calls.

Connecting eM Client with Skype

In order to use Skype functions in eM Client, we must first allow eM Client to connect to Skype.

When Skype and eM Client are both running, eM Client will automatically send service request to Skype. Skype in turn will ask you whether you wish to let eM Client access Skype.

In this Skype prompt which appears when Skype detects eM Client, click Allow access to connect the two programs.

Setting up Skype in eM Client

Once eM Client is connected to Skype, you can link your existing or create new contacts for your Skype contacts. For details on how to link a contact to an IM service or hot to manage contacts, please refer to Managing Contacts.

To add Skype info to an existing or new contact, in the Contact property window, in the Instant Messenger section click Add...

In the Add IM Contact window click on the drop-down list next to the Instant Messaging service field, and select Skype in the list of IM services.

Press Select next to the Skype name field, eM Client will automatically import a list of all your Skype contacts. Select the one you wish to be added to the current contact. Click OK and then Save to finish associating Skype with your contact.

Using Skype in eM Client

Once a Skype user name is added to the contact, they Skype symbol will show up in the contact list section of the sidebar. Click on the contact to bring out the popup contact info window.

In the drop-down IM action list you can select to text chat or make a Skype call to the contact.

Tip: Once a Skype name is associated with a contact, eM Client will automatically load that contact's Skype chat log and display the Skype Chat messages in the Communications History window of the Sidebar.