Grid 2 Skype workspace

There is a new workspace for Skype in The Grid 2.3.  If you have skype installed and running you can make voice calls or have text IM chats.

Skype contacts

The Skype workspace displays your Skype contacts list.  To edit this list (to add or remove contacts) you need to add/remove people from the Skype application.

Configuring Skype

If you do not have Skype installed, you need to install it and sign up for an account.
You can find instructions and downloads at www.skype.com.

When you start using the Skype workspace, you will get a message from Skype saying that a program wants permission to use it.  You need to say “yes” so that The Grid 2 can access Skype.

It is also good to turn off alerts in Skype because The Grid 2 will alert you when there is an incoming call. 

• In the main Skype window, go to Tools > Options. 
• Select Notifications, and change it to “show Windows tray alerts”.

Voice conversations

Starting and ending phone calls works in the same way as the Mobile Phone workspace; there are commands for Skype Call (start a call or answer an incoming call) and Hang Up.  When on a Skype call, you can switch to other workspaces to speak (e.g. symbol chat, text chat + messages, etc).

Any speech from an Acapela voice will be transmitted through the Skype call.  The voices included with The Grid 2 use Acapela speech.

Other sounds (music files or other speech engines) will not be heard at the other end of the call.

Instant messaging

You can also use the Skype workspace for Instant Messaging (IM) conversations.  There is a command Skype Chat to start an IM conversation with a contact, and Send Skype Message for sending the sentence that you have written.  You can write messages using text or symbols in the Skype workspace.