Skype: The Definitive Guide

If multiple people are using the same computer under different logins, you can set up multiple instances of Skype. By multiple instances, we mean that for each computer login, you can run a copy of the Skype application with a unique Skype Name.

To do this, you must have configured each login and instance of the Skype application to use its own sound devices. Login User1 (as Skype Name "Person1") is configured to use the Headset, for example, and Login User2 (as Skype Name "Person2") is configured to use a USB Handset.

In this situation, however, only one computer login session will be active in the foreground at any time. As a result, multiple people can receive calls using the same computer, but only one login session will contain a Skype application that is able to make outgoing calls from the Skype interface on the computer.

If the handset and sound hardware being used support dialing, however (as is the case with the advanced USB handsets, such as the Linksys CIT200 Cordless Internet Telephony Kit), multiple users can make and receive calls.