[Web4lib] Skype use on public library computers

[Scott Turnbull]

Here is an article on Skype security issues, there seems to me to be a 
low level disgruntled buzz about it from IT watchdogs but I've seen few 
concrete problems.

I would operate with caution as far as bandwidth goes.  Skype is 
essentially a p2p network and if it detects you have a fast connection 
it sometimes makes computers serve as a network registry increasing it's 
bandwidth over normal use.  There's an article on Skype Bandwidth issues 
here http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060924-7814.html

I use Skype personally and like it but I wouldn't really recommend it as 
a standard app on public computers.

- Scott Turnbull
Emory University Libraries

Peter Schoenberg wrote:
> We have had a few reports of customers using Skype on our word processing computers.    (Only the Word Processing computers have an available USB plug-in.)    It does require a download and install, which is not normally possible on our public computers.
>
> I would be very interested in your experiences with Skype - used by the public on computers on your network.  
>
> Security issues? 
> Band width?
>
> Other comments or suggestions.
>
> Peter
> __________________________________________________
> Peter Schoenberg                  (780) 496 1855
> Manager - eServices - Edmonton Public Library
>                            www.epl.ca       
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