The Ideas Genie Community Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: ideasguy on September 20, 2009, 09:50:50 PM
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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 8)
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 ;D
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?
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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 ;D ;) ::), 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
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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.
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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
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No charges unless you go for more options.
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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 (http://www.skype.com/intl/en/download/skype/windows/?cm_mmc=PAIDS%7CGAWS-_-EMEAF%7CGB%7CEN-_-BD%7CSTRCT-_-zf8w57) 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. ;D
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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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have saved that very good link for skype to have a proper read through later, thanks
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Thanks for posting your interest there Phil. 8)
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.
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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 ;D
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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 ;D
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 :o ;D)
Only kidding. Hes going to treat himself to a webcam. They usually have inbuilt Mike
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and I just missed Peter!
I think he logged out a few minutes before I logged in.
Tomorrow is another day!
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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!
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I have just found this discussion about Skype. A friend has it and he installed it onto my laptop as it has a built in webcam. I tried to get our son Mark interested, as he is in Canada, but he prefers to telephone. I now find the webcam had packed up anyway. I could still talk on it but with my deafness I have problems. I could use it if the webcam were repaired and subtitles were available :) Mark usually gives Anthea all the news and she tells me later :)
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I'll send you a PM Eric
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I downloaded skype yesterday and in the evening had a real nice chat to george, i could see him but he could not see me as i dont have a webcam at present, anyway he showed me what he has been working on regarding bank genie and it is very impressive, on skype your first phone call to a landline to someone who has not got skype is free, so i phoned my mum via skype in the UK and the sound qualty coming out of my headphones was crystal clear, i am going to look at the price charges differene between skype and eircom and use the cheapest to phone the UK, it does not matter here as my phone package includes free calls to other irish landlines will have to check the mobile phone charges though
All said very impressed with skype, could not get my headphone mic to work at first, i had to go into control panel and re configure it in their, i have no idea why it would not work the first time i tried it maybe because i have had it unplugged from pc for a couple of months, who knows but all good now.
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Yes, it was a busy day on Skype yesterday Phil! Nice to have the chat.
I also had a "chirping" session with EricH ;D
Anthea was assisting Eric so we said Hello.
I was just in from the garden so Eric and Anthea got the windswept look!
Looking forward to seeing you folk when you get your webcams operational :)
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just noticed on my contact page on my website that skype has some how integrated this (deleted phone number)
(http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s19/roiphil/phone-1.jpg)
anyone wanting to make contact and they have skype simply clicks on it and makes the call or im
I can only assume it has done this because i entered website url into my skype profile, that i find is really good and usefull
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Theres a lot of little surprises in Skype!
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There certainly is, once i can get into my site builder i need to edit the phone number as the one i have on my site is to my mobile, so i need to put landline number instead and that one should then be linked to skype
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I also had a "chirping" session with EricH ;D Looking forward to seeing you folk when you get your webcams operational :)
At long last our Canadian son has got Skype going. He is off later today to Africa for another month as a volunteer surgeon. Last time he went to Kenya and he did 55 operations in three weeks. It was great being able to have a long chat with him and see him at the same time. As George knows, I have been looking for my headphones. I have now found them. I wore them over my hearing aids and could hear what Mark was saying quite well. There is still a technical problem that George or someone else technically minded might be able to solve for me. I can see Anthea and me on the screen via our webcam. We could see Mark on the screen too. Unfortunately Mark could not see us and neither could George when we talked >:(. Is there some setting I don't know about?
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I'm not familiar enough with the system yet to answer that question Eric.
Do this:
When you make a call,click Video Call button.
When you receive a call from anther contact, click Answer with Video.
We can try it again tomorrow if you wish. Football tonight :D
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Toby (The Boss) is having big trouble getting Skype to work.
He has gone out and bought a spanking new webcam and headset and we cant get communications going.
When he makes a call to me, I pick up with Answer without Video
He can hear me. I cant hear him.
He types, I talk.
When either of us turn on Video, Skype turns his computer off.
Ive been researching the problem and found this:
http://forum.skype.com/lofiversion/index.php/t64507.html
Very interesting stuff, and out of that, Ive learned about how to get at a lot more information about my computer that I knew before. Try this (from that web page)
Click Start
Click Run
Type: dxdiag
Click OK
That utility gives you information about the DirectX version on your computer AND a LOT more.
Click on Save All Information button
It saves the info in a txt file
You can open it with Notepad and copy and paste info to report your version (I'm waiting on that from Toby) and also print it off for you records.
Was that helpful?
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Its a fantastic tool George.
We use it in the office for triparte com. where the other party is in high phone bills area....
downside is, everyone is listening in. Have not got into using the earphone.
Our office is an open concept.
Marvels of man's intelligence, thousand of miles, can see and hear.
:)
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It certainly is perfect for those conference calls Jessie. We as a family are now spread over four houses and two countries. We all chatted together a few times on Skype. It was like having them all home for a visit!
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A momentous occasion!
Toby (Bossgard) and I had a 2-way conversation tonight!
We've tried numerous times before but the best we could do was Toby could hear me speaking, he typed replies with IM.
Once his headset was installed, we had lift off!
I also updated Skype to latest version of Skype.
The quality was excellent and there was absoutely no lag in the conversation. This technology is absolutely amazing, linking us from US to Ireland in this way.
Video is still a big problem.
Everytime I click Video, his computer reboots.
If anyone has suggestions on what could be wrong they would be very much appreciated.
It was lovely talking to you Toby!
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Nice to link up George.
We could try out on one of our Sat. afternoon, about 3 p.m., you should be
around 9a.m.
my Skype is : lolilososo123 ;D
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Will do Jessie! I'd love to have a chat.
Sat will be fine.
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Sat didnt suit Jessie. Send me an email to say when it would suit you and we'll try again to connect.
Not today. I'm out morning and afternoon so would be too late for you.
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can only do on weekend, Sat...our time 6p.m.. your time abt 12 noon?
cuz all staff listening in on week days...
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That time should be OK for this Sat Jessie. Looking forward to linking up!
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It works!
Jessie and I had a very nice session on Skype a few minutes ago! It was really nice to speak to you face to face Jessie.
I pointed my webcam out the window to show her Jessie the surroundings - not many flowers in view in the garden on this occasion!
Its raining here and surprisingly (to me) it was raining in Singapore. Jessie explained that its the rainy season there.
Thanks for attempting to teach me some Chinese, Jessie. I made a very poor attempt to say How are you and Good Morning but at least it was a start.
The sound was a bit muffled, Jessie, so I apologise for asking you to repeat yourself at times. The Video was perfect, however.
During the session, Jessie took a telephone call and as she explained to me later, communicated in Mandarin Chinese.
Don't worry if there was any secrets discussed Jessie - they are safe with me ::)
How wonderful for you to be multilingual Jessie!
Skype is fantastic technology!
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Hi George,
The start of another discovery !
Learning languages on SKYPE !
I tried to find a French teacher, and is still looking,
perhaps this is the way.. email a page of literature and get the
other party to read.. brilliant ?
I tried to learn Arabic on the Net, the obscenities keep popping
out and corrupt my computers.. very hateful.. :(
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Write out what it says on your document in French and we'll try and translate it here, Jessie.
Arabic 8)
That is an adventurous project Jessie! Good luck in learning that, but I'm sure it is fascinating.
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Wow, I like it George .. you guys speak French ?
I am impressed !
Will go look for some pages and try from there :)
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Like most, I studied French at school. Its a lot different reading it than trying to speak it. Its even more difficult trying to understand a conversation in French.
But we can have a go! (We can cheat - our children and grandchildren can help!)
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If we can converse , then the
reading part will be easier.. here goes : all will love this :
Blanche et gracieuse, mais si farouche, est la licorne ! Fiere, autant que la plus noble des cavales. Sa criniere, vague de'ecume, se deploie.
Au bout de sa jambe, le sabot fendu d'un cert. A son menton, une barbiche de chevre. De son front jaillit sa corne, torsade de nacre et d'ivoire cachant, a sa racine, une gemme magioue.
Thanks george !
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I'm expecting guests later today. It will be a little challenge for them ;)
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We've been using Skype for several years now as our daughter has been living overseas. We enjoyed visiting with her inexpensively while she lived in Kyrgyzstan (2 years) and then in Bangkok (2 years). I always chuckled over hearing her voice over our speaker system so that it sounded as if she were a radio announcer or something. Now that she has a wonderful new job in Washington D.C. we'll still use Skype for inexpensively visiting with her.
I like the sounds of using Skype with video in order to troubleshoot any software issues with George!
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It works a treat for sharing screens for giving a demo Katie, and I'd be delighted to give it a try again.
Let me know in an email when you have a question and we can link up for a trial.