Full Version: Internet Phone Service (Sticky)
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#1]
9 Jul 2005
To: ALL
Hello All,
On one of the other internet forums there was some information shared on a free internet phone technology. This may be very useful, especially for international calls, like when we want to call our forum friends in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and the UK.
The post referenced the website http://www.skype.com. It is a free voice-over chat program. The information in the post indicated that it is not really a phone service, but the conversation they had in real time was just as clear.
It appears that the free option is for Skype to Skype computers. In other words, if I wanted to talk to Rodney in South Africa, we would both need to have the Skype software loaded on our computers.
The person posting this information shared that the service was more like Instant Messenger with voice instead of text. They said it was full duplex, meaning you can listen and talk at the same time, not having to wait for the other person to stop talking. You can cut them off mid-sentence.
You can talk to someone on a regular land-line phone, but there are charges. It looks like the cost of a phone call from Skype to a regular phone anywhere in the world is $.02 per minute.
Another poster in the thread said he had been using this system for a couple of weeks to talk to friends in the Far East from his UK location. He indicated that the system was a pre-pay format when you were calling land-line phones, similar to the pay-as-you-go mobile phones.
Additionally, this same person commented that you can hold conference calls. This comes in handy when you and your attorney need to both speak to that special deadbeat customer.
The original thread I read on this subject is at http://www.dyesub.org/forum/?msg=3397.1.
EDITED: 19 Jul 2005 by DATAKES
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#2]
16 Jul 2005
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#1] 16 Jul 2005
David,
Thanks for pointing this out. I downloaded it and as you know by our conversation today, it works like a charm.
The communication is clear, file transfer is easy. The possiblities of forum communication have just widened.
Like we discovered though the conference call option is limited to 5 people. Not so good for mass training, however if a few people needed help with a problem with software, those that could provide the help could use Skype and all parties could sit at their computer and work together.
Also, communicating with our members around the world has just gotten easier. Like I mentioned I will pm Peter in Australia and see if he would be interested in trying it and we can try a conference call.....
Thanks again for letting us know about it.
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#3]
16 Jul 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#2] 16 Jul 2005
Chuck,
To me it was as simple as a phone call and was just as clear. I was amazed that there was no lag in the communication as well.
I really think this service could revolutionize global communication. Now, I won't hesitate to make those calls to our international friends of the forum.
I couldn't believe how easy it was to download and set up the software. It took me all of about five minutes. I was shocked that it didn't even ask for any credit card information.
I will recommend to David L. that we add a line to our forum profiles to display our Skype name.
Thanks for running the test with me. This is good stuff!
EDITED: 16 Jul 2005 by DATAKES
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#4]
16 Jul 2005
To: ALL
Below are the hardware and operating system specs that are required for Skype to work on your computer.
PC running Windows 2000 or XP
400 MHz processor
128 MB RAM
15 MB free disk space on your hard drive
Sound Card, speakers and microphone
Internet connection. Any broadband connection or minimum 33.6 Kbps dialup.
GPRS is not supported for voice calls. Results may vary on a satellite connection.
or
Macintosh computer with G3, G4 or G5 processor
Mac OS X v10.3 (Panther) or newer
128 MB RAM
20 MB free disk space on your hard drive
Microphone
Internet connection (either dial-up: minimum 33.6 Kbps, or any broadband: cable, DSL, etc.)
EDITED: 16 Jul 2005 by DATAKES
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#5]
16 Jul 2005
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#3] 16 Jul 2005
Goos stuff? That sound kinda yucky to me.....I sure wouldn't want to step in any....... ick! :D (insert laugh here)
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#6]
16 Jul 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#5] 16 Jul 2005
Chuck,
I caught that mis-spelling. Goos stuff, not a good thing. :S
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#7]
17 Jul 2005
To: ALL
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#8]
19 Jul 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#7] 19 Jul 2005
Chuck,
I got skyped by Dave Loda with Big Sky Awards yesterday. The system is working well for him as well. The next time I see that you and Dave are online, I'll ring up a 3-way conference call.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#9]
19 Jul 2005
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#8] 19 Jul 2005
Ok. Works for me. Dave Loda has not responded to my request to be added so the next time you talk to him maybe you should mention it.
Thanks
From: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#10]
19 Jul 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#9] 19 Jul 2005
Chuck,
You lost me.
Dave
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#11]
19 Jul 2005
To: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#10] 20 Jul 2005
Dave,
I added you to MY Skype list. You show up, but it says "pending authorization. When I added you, you should have gotten a notification that I did with the option to click Ok or not....... until you authorize me as a contact I cannot communicate with you via Skype.....
Hmmmmmmmmmm ...perhaps that is your intent hmmmmmmmmmmmm :O (insert laugh here)
From: Cindy (CINDYM) [#12]
20 Jul 2005
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#1] 20 Jul 2005
The part that really caught my attention was the fact that you could cut people off in mid-sentence - now there's a real benefit of service!!
Just kidding:)
I'm going to check into this also.
Cindy M
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#13]
20 Jul 2005
To: Cindy (CINDYM) [#12] 21 Jul 2005
LazerDude, UConnDave and I held a nice conference call today. We didn't talk any sense, but hey, we communicated in some fashion. This is so easy to do, even I can do it. Get signed up and we will add you to the mix next time. It's almost like making the forum live.
Crystal Awards are normally cream of the crop awards.
EDITED: 4 May 2011 by DATAKES
From: Cindy (CINDYM) [#14]
21 Jul 2005
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#13] 21 Jul 2005
What are you finding works the best for sound - headphones, speaker or USB phone?
My speakers are so low in sound I don't think I could hear a conversation, so may have to pick something else up. To this point it's never been important to have good speakers as I've never needed them, but with the possibility of the new forum with on-line video and tutorials I'm going to need something good for sound.
Cindy M
From: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#15]
21 Jul 2005
To: Cindy (CINDYM) [#14] 21 Jul 2005
If the problem is only the volume, you should be able to adjust it. The hard part is figuring out where it is turned down. Check for the following (There may be one or more present.):
1) Volume knob/control on speakers.
2) Volume control in application you are using.
3) Volume control for the driver software. (some speaker systems come with special software.)
4) The system sound mixer. This has a master volume and and control for each source. You will need to determine which source is being used.
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#16]
21 Jul 2005
To: Cindy (CINDYM) [#14] 21 Jul 2005
Cindy,
The only issue I have with the headsets is that you really can't hear the computer ring from a distance on incoming calls when the headphones are plugged in. I am finding the most convenient set-up is using the speakers for sound and a simple microphone for the voice.
I did pick up a headset for $15 at Office Max. While I was waiting in line to pay I noticed a sticker on the package that said, "Skype Certified". I got a kick out of that.
From: Cindy (CINDYM) [#17]
21 Jul 2005
To: Ken D. (KDEVORY) [#15] 21 Jul 2005
The problem on my speakers isn't a volume issue per se. It is an age issue where they are so old, and have been used so much, that even on maximum volume, it is like listening to the whispering wind. They don't have volume knobs on them, you can only control the volume from your desktop, and it's on maximum. So new speakers are definitely on my list of things to get. I'll head to Office Depot or Office Max to see what I can find. I was right by Office Max yesterday darn it - with gas prices I like to combine these trips and it's on the other side of town.
Thanks for the tips though.
Cindy M
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#18]
21 Jul 2005
To: Cindy (CINDYM) [#17] 22 Jul 2005
Cindy,
You could probably pick up a pair of decent speakers at a computer store near you. If you sound card is not the best you should probably get some "powered" speakers.
What I am using are the speakers in my notebook ( dell inspiron 1150) they work just fine. No feed back and very clear sound.
As David T mentioned, he and David L and myself had a great talk. The great thing is that now not only do I have to suffer abuse in print, these guys can CALL me and abuse me... ISN'T THAT GREAT????? :'-(
Anyway it will be nice to Skype you too. heheheh B-)
From: UncleSteve [#19]
22 Jul 2005
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#18] 22 Jul 2005
Aw, poor baby...... has to take abuse while sitting on his lanai sipping iced Kona coffee and watching the sun set over the ocean...
My heart bleeds for you! ;-)
From: Cindy (CINDYM) [#20]
22 Jul 2005
To: UncleSteve [#19] 22 Jul 2005
Exactly what I was going to say!
Cindy M
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