| It's a good idea to set your preferences before you start making calls. You can set your preferences for a variety of configuration options, including general operations, privacy, notifications, sound alerts, sound devices, hotkeys, connection options, and voicemail. You can change your preferences anytime. For a complete summary of preferences settings, see the "Preferences Menu Summary" section for your operating system in Chapter 4. Microsoft Windows Users Here is how to set your preferences: 1. | In the Skype main window, choose Tools > Options (see Figure 2-4).
Figure 2-4. Options console/General options 
Note To exit any Options window, click Cancel. To save changes in any Options window, click Save. The changes will be adopted immediately. If you make a mistake, simply select the menu in the Options console, change the settings again, and click Save in the Options window. | 2. | Select the General menu at the top of the Options console (if it is not already selected).
| | | 3. | Decide whether you want Skype to start a call or start a chat (IM session) when you double-click a contact; set your preferences for 'Away' and 'Not Available'; and click Save to save your changes.
The double-click preference is a personal choice, and it depends on how you prefer to use Skype. Whereas many Skype users prefer to set this option to start a "conversation" by chatting (instant messaging), others prefer to start talking immediately.
'Away' and 'Not Available' represent users' online status. Skype displays icons showing your online status so that other Skype users can know whether you are online and whether they can contact you.
| 4. | Select the Privacy menu.
| 5. | Decide whom you want to be allowed to call and chat with you, and click Save to save your changes.
When you are first using Skype, you may want to allow anyone to call or chat. You can change these preferences at any time. If you are sure that you do not want people you may not know contacting you, opt to allow only the people from your Contacts list or only those you have authorized.
| 6. | Select the Notifications menu.
| 7. | Specify when you want be notified of an event with a small pop-up menu, and click Save to save your changes.
| 8. | Select the Sound Alerts menu.
| 9. | Specify when you want to be alerted of an event with a sound, and click Save to save your changes.
To hear the default sound, click the left green Play button.
To upload a sound file of your own or create your own ringtone, click the middle folder icon, select a .wav file from your collection, and click Open. To reset the sound to the Skype default, click the right red round arrow button.
| 10. | Select the Sound Devices menu.
| 11. | Select Ring PC Speaker to have Skype ring your speakers even if you have a headset plugged in, and click Save to save your changes.
| 12. | Repeat these instructions for any of the other types of preferences you want to set.
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Note Because Skype users who have purchased voicemail can leave voicemail messages (even if you have not purchased a subscription to voicemail), you should record a personal greeting using the Voicemail menu.
Mac OS X Users Here is how to set your preferences: 1. | Choose Skype > Preferences.
The General window appears (see Figure 2-5).
Figure 2-5. Preferences General window 
| 2. | Select the General icon (if it is not already selected).
| 3. | Decide whether you want Skype to establish a call or start an IM when you double-click a contact, and set your preferences for g'Away' and 'Not Available.'
The double-click preference is a personal choice, and it depends on how you like to begin communicating with people. Whereas many Skype users prefer to set this option to start a "conversation" by chatting (instant messaging), others want to start talking immediately.
'Away' and 'Not Available' are online statuses. Skype displays icons showing your online status so that other Skype users can know whether you are online and whether they can contact you.
| | | 4. | Select the Privacy icon.
| 5. | Specify whom you want to be allowed to call and IM you.
When you are first using Skype, you may want to allow anyone to call or IM. You can change any preferences at any time. If you are sure that you do not want people you may not know contacting you, opt to allow only the people from your Contacts list or only those you have authorized.
| 6. | Select the Events icon.
Make sure that the Bounce Icon in the Dock checkbox is checked.
| 7. | Select the Calls icon.
| 8. | Record a welcome message, because other Skype users who have voicemail can leave you a voicemail message (even if you don't have voicemail).
| 9. | Repeat these instructions for any of the other types of preferences you want to set.
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