Eight Ways to File Transfer Using Skype
One of the nifty features of Skype is its ability perform File Transfers almost on demand. I find several time a day I need to transfer a file to a Skype contact but how I do it could happen in one of several ways. Peter Kalmström has posted on six ways to perform File Transfers within the Skype ecosystem:
- Use the Skype client's Send File button
- In a Skype Chat session either use the Send File button or drag a file into the Chat window
- Right click on any file in Windows Explorer and use the "Send To" feature selecting Skype as the option
- Via the Skype Toolbar for MS Office (still in beta) there is an option to send the file you are currently working on (even though it is still open in, say, Word, Excel or PowerPoint
- Transfer files received in emails using the Skype Email Toolbar (also still in Beta); this works in Outlook, Outlook Express and Thunderbird.
- Transfer files in partner applications such as SnagIt's profiles for Skype
Peter's post provides additional details on how to do these as well as the limitations such as "You can only send files to people who are on your Skype Contact list" and authorizations required in the process. He also notes the need to check for viruses on receipt of a file; in my case, Norton Antivirus always checks an MS Office file before it is loaded into the application.
However, I have come across two additional situations:
When you want to send information from a Contact in Outlook's Contacts View, drag the vCard into the Skype Client and the relevant nane/address phone number/email address will end up in your Skype Chat Client.- Jaanus reports on the use of Skype's File Transfer in the Sony Mylo to transfer MP3 files into the Mylo when a reviewer's evaluation unit did not include the USB cable.
The one issue that arises occasionally with Skype's file transfer is the situation where it uses a relay to mediate the file transfers; Sure slows down the process to under 500bps. I assume this is one of the compromises of using a peer-to-peer architecture in situations where you are getting around firewalls.
Update: Marc Orchant, Vice President of Marketing, Foldera talks about how he uses SnagIt and their Skype profiles to focus discussions with Web Designers solely on the graphic elements he wants to discuss.
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Comments
There's something weird about when Skype relays file transfers. My PC is normally in the DMZ of my linksys router so I run the risk of being a supernode[1], but I also get fast transfers. But then I did one a day ago and it was relayed. Really not sure if this was a bug in beta 2.6 or I'd changed something and forgotten about it.
This is one situation where a centralised relay could help. Or where there was something we could do to the firewall to speed up just file tranfers. P2P apps like Bittorrent or Soulseek manage much faster file transfers direct between PCs but you usually have to mess with firewall or router settings to get it.
For a while there I thought supernodes were just handling call setup, switching and NAT busting, but once the connection was established they stepped out of the way. But relayed file transfers suggests they still participate in the conversation.
Given all the FUD about Supernodes it would be good if we could get some definitive information about where they sit and what they do in all situations.
[1]I can tell when my laptop is a supernode and being used for a call because the fan kicks in. ;-)
Posted by: julian.bond | September 29, 2006 12:49 AM
if this file-sending feature is great why is it so slow ?
i started to use www.pando.com due to the slow speed of skype.
Posted by: tropicaljantie | jan geirnaert | September 29, 2006 07:25 PM
I normally transfer small files via Skype. however we had a domain change at work recently and now my laptop gives me an error message when I try to send a file. The error states that i am not set up to transfer files and need to address this with the administrator?? Can you help me out on this?
Thank you,
Jay Wilkins
Posted by: Jay Wilkins | November 27, 2007 09:08 AM