Skype

[ideasguy]

After weeks of prompting from Tara, I bought a Webcam and got going on Skype over the weekend.
My grandson was also complaining. He has it at home and is "cut off" from his friends when he uses my computer

What an absolutely incredible tool
It was such an exciting experience on our first Video connection.

The first webcam I bought (a week ago) didn't work. The software (to install the driver) didn't seem to go through the full install process.
I connected the webcam and my computer said New Hardware as usual but didn't recognise the driver.
Then I looked at the box and found that it was USB 1 and my XP computer has USB 2 ports.
A double whammy.
I tried to uninstall the software and it failed. Currently, I'm stuck with that half loaded installation!
Even my grandson couldn't get it to work 

I then went out and bought a replacement. This time its a Mikomi.
It installed without a hitch.

It was Simons birthday on Saturday, so I had it all tested with Tara for his arrival at our house and we had a very nice Video chat.
We were very impressed.

Guess what I bought him for his birthday?
A webcam of course
I bought him a Logitech model. We linked up today and all is good.

Next excitement will be to try a Group linkup.

Have you folk had a go at Skype yet?

[roiphil]

we have just got broadband going on the length of time to get that skype is years off yet, anyway knowing my luck i wont get a signal because a mountain will be in the way      , seriously though its something that i have not even considered i did read up on it and if memory serves well dont you get free calls to other skype users, hope it all works out for you though
Phil

[ideasguy]

Free video calls and Instant Messaging calls.
Means you can chat face to face with anyone with Skype, anywhere in the world - free.
You dont have to worry about mountains. It works over your broadband connection.

I am very excited about the possibilities.
In particular, you can share screens.
Example.
A user could have IG Pro running and in a Skype call, they could show me (share) their screen.
I could then talk the user through the steps to accomplish something. The user would click the buttons etc and we could both see the screens. It would be just as if I were sitting beside them at their computer.

They offer Pay as you go for making calls to landlines and mobiles.

[roiphil]

Sounds good, it still uses broadband connection so is their a monthly charge like BT or Eircom etc for phone line rental, internet service or do you just pay as you use it as you say pay as you go

[ideasguy]

No charges unless you go for more options.

[Kathy & Laurie]

We've heard of Skype but not yet tried it. 

Strangely enough though, Kathy had been talking to one of her work friends (Tracey) on landline a couple of weeks back and she mentioned Skype to Kathy.

Tracey's son emigrated to Australia and she regularly 'talks' to him there completely free.

The feature of 'sharing' computer screens sound like a great idea for you George, it opens up all sorts of possibilities.

I think you can use it without a webcam too, so that's good for any 'shy' people who don't want their faces plastered all over the place.  A point to look into.

This is a very interesting topic to raise George, so it would be good to have a lot more input from our members, and to see how much interest there is in it's use.

Click on the Skype Info link here to read more about it, the PC requirements to use it and to download the FREE program - currently at version 4.1 (1.92 MB file).

Laurie.

P.S.  I apologise to our members for not posting very regularly at the moment, but we're up to our eyeballs in decorating our house for our intended move next Spring (plus other important matters to attend to).

I'm still looking in from time to time though to keep up-to-date with what's happening. 

I've kept George appraised of our current situation 'behind-the-scenes' so he's fully aware of the reasons for what we're doing (and why we're quieter on the Forum at the moment).

It's not a subject for open discussion here, but certain 'close' Forum members have also been informed of our personal circumstances.

[ideasguy]

Haven't tried it without a web cam, but theres an option where you can opt to NOT show your "visage".
Imagine having to dress respectably and do your hair before going onto the computer What next! LOL

Looking forward to hearing from our members on this.

P.S. Hope the decorating and house move plans are not causing too much stress!

[Kathy & Laurie]

Just reporting a successful interactive chat with George this evening.

I downloaded and installed the program without any problems.  It can be used with a webcam and microphone, if you have them already installed that is, but if not you can just type your messages to each other in real time.

I don't have either of these items so it was just a typing exercise for me.  George has both so I was able to see and hear him.

Anyway, he showed me a demonstration of sharing his Bank Genie program that he had opened on his computer and went through various screens.  It was like watching a live demonstration, which it was really but through my computer screen.  A very cool and great feature, allowing George to go through any of his programs to guide our members through any point they might be stuck with.  Great possibilities here, and also an instant way to chat with our members.

Of course, this isn't intended to replace the Forum, but more as a very useful and friendly addition for us all.

It is definitely worth trying this Skype program.  It's FREE to download and FREE to set up your account to get your own Username and Password.

Please give it a try and post your interest here.

Laurie.

[ideasguy]

Yes, that was a very interesting session, Laurie.

Since I didnt know if you were actually hearing me (since you didnt have a Mike connected) I rushed through the screens a bit, just to give some screen movements.

Then I waited for your reply:

Fantastic George.  Heard you clearly and saw all the program screens as you were describing.

That has made my day!

Nice "talking"  and thanks for offering to do that test. The first of many with our members I hope.

[roiphil]

have saved that very good link for skype to have a proper read through later, thanks

[Kathy & Laurie]

Thanks for posting your interest there Phil. 

If there's any other questions you have after reading the blurb on that link I posted, just post your questions here and George or myself will answer them.

As we've both tried it out 'together' we've got a pretty good feel about how it works, and its potential, so we hope you come on board with us. 

Laurie.

[ideasguy]

Nearly, nearly, agonisingly nearly...
The Boss is set up on SKYPE and on my contact list.
He can see my "visage" in my static profile, but for some reason want able to answer my Video call.
We gave up as it was well past midnight here and Toby was probably about to throw the computer through the window (again-Chuckle)
He tells me he is going hiking today. Hope he doesn't do anything "rash" out of exasperation

[ideasguy]

Better this evening.
Toby and I managed to connect using text (Instant messaging) on Skype, so getting somewhere!
At my end, I have two green buttons when in text screen (at top of screen)
Left one says Call, right one says Video Call
We established that since he didnt have a Web Cam, he didnt have the Video Call button.
When on line with Toby I verified that with my son who hasnt a web cam connected.
Same with you Laurie?

He then clicked the Call button at his side.
I answered with the option - WITHOUT Video
He could hear me, I could not hear him. (but he could send me text IM's)
Concluded that his Mike isnt working 
I then told him to stand by to see what happened when I clicked Show Video button
Silence
A few minutes later he came on line again on Skype and told me (text IM) that it had made his computer shut down.
Now it shouldnt have done that.
In the same sort of test, Laurie could see me and hear me.

Toby has probably thrown the cmputer out the window (again    )
Only kidding. Hes going to treat himself to a webcam. They usually have inbuilt Mike

[ideasguy]

and I just missed Peter!
I think he logged out a few minutes before I logged in.
Tomorrow is another day!

[ideasguy]

Update!
Peter came on line again and we had a little chat!
He tells me he has had Skype for 2 years now!
It was really nice to talk again. Last time we met up was at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show in Seattle in Feb 2003!