If you use Skype chat all day every day like I do, you may enjoy these few fun tips and tricks:

1. The “hidden” Skype emoticons

Skype has a great set of built in emoticons, but there are dozens of more… “fun” ones that you can’t access from the menu. If you mouse over all of the icons in the menu, you’ll see what the code for them is, i.e. (giggle) (h) (y) etc… If you type those codes in (parenthesis and all) you’ll get the respective emoticons. Click on the chart to the right for an example.

But… there are some other emoticons Skype doesn’t tell you about. Try the following for a little fun: (drunk) (mooning) (smoke) (finger) (poolparty) and (rock)

These “hidden” emoticons can add a bit more fun to your IMs when used appropriately.

2. Kicking someone out of a group chat

Sometimes you have someone in a group chat and you want to boot them out of the chat. Perhaps it’s a work group chat and you’ve terminated someone and don’t want them coming back in the chat.

To boot them, type /kickban username making sure to include the forward slash at the start of the message and enter the Skype username instead of username.

This will kick them out and ban them from that particular group chat.

3. Showing what you’re up to in a chat

One of my favorites, that like other commands dates back to IRC days, you can show folks what you are up to with a /me command, for example /me is waiting for the call.

Sure, you could just type “I’m waiting for the call”, but the way it’s displayed is much cooler with the /me command.

4. Changing your status from the command line (OS X)

This one is on the geekier side, but you can change your Skype status from the command line using AppleScript. I have my computer setup with a cron job to pull my twitter status and change my Skype status to match. Here’s an example of how to change your status in Skype:

if exists process "Skype" then tell application "Skype" to send command "set profile mood_text "This is my status" script name "yourscriptname"



5. Sending files quickly, easily and securely

Ever need to just send someone a file quickly and easily without wanting to upload it, FTP it or email it? Easy. Just drag the file from your computer into your chat window.

Even better, drag a file into a group chat to send the file to everyone in the group chat.

6. Correcting accidental messages

Sometimes you send an IM to the wrong group chat or wrong person (oops!) or mis-type something rather important. Right click the message you sent and click “Edit” or “Delete” as needed.

7. Introducing two Skype contacts to each other

If you want to introduce two of your Skype contacts to each other, select them both from your contact list and invite them to a group chat, just the three of you. Introduce everyone and then leave the conversation. It’s sort of like introducing people in person, just… online!

What are your favorite tips and tricks for Skype? Comment below!