Shopsmith Forums

Loading Skype was pretty straight forward but:

Now that it is loaded, how do I know that it is working in association with the members of this forum?

dusty wrote:Loading Skype was pretty straight forward but:

Now that it is loaded, how do I know that it is working in association with the members of this forum?

Dusty, not quite sure I understand your question, could you explain "in association with the members of this forum"?

tom_k/mo wrote:Dusty, not quite sure I understand your question, could you explain "in association with the members of this forum"?

The only Skype interfaces that I am concerned about are those with other members of the forum. But maybe I have some incorrect assumptions about what Skype is to do for us.

I was thinking that it would be something like the Chat Rooom that we had during the Sawdust Sessions. If there is no Chat Room capability then I don't have a question.

With no Chat Room, I guess that with the aid of Skype, we could set up what amounts to an IM with the instructor (or whoever). "in association with the members of this forum"

Dusty, Skype is a free VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) communications program. It provides voice communications just like internet telephone from computer to computer, or computer to landlline phone (for a fee). It also has chat ability for those that do not have a microphone on their PC. What I was (am) investigating is the free add-in that Skype offers for conference calls and the ability for one to share their desktop with the rest of the group.

I have always found that I can pick something up quicker by watching someone perform the task than I can reading about it and then trying on my own. With the Skype Desktop Sharing, people could watch an object being built, and if they had questions, they could ask them real-time and get an answer at that time. It would be similar to the chat features of the sawdust sessions, but you could actually talk and ask a question rather than type it out if you had a microphone. If you didn't have a microphone on your PC, you still have the option of typing a message.

I've used Skype for some time to keep in touch with people and it's worked great. Just Wednesday evening, I got a Skype call from a co-worker of mine that is in Reque, Peru on vacation, and it was just like he was next door talking on a land-line.

Yep! I have friends in Australia, England, Canada and all over the US that I talk with on Skype (for free) all the time. It isn't perfect, but for the price it's hard to beat. For about $15 or less you can get a head set with mike for your computer. I prefer these to the boom mike and external speakers because they don't pick up as much background noise and you are not broadcasting to everyone in the room.

tom_k/mo wrote:Dusty, Skype is a free VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) communications program. It provides voice communications just like internet telephone from computer to computer, or computer to landlline phone (for a fee). It also has chat ability for those that do not have a microphone on their PC. What I was (am) investigating is the free add-in that Skype offers for conference calls and the ability for one to share their desktop with the rest of the group.

I have always found that I can pick something up quicker by watching someone perform the task than I can reading about it and then trying on my own. With the Skype Desktop Sharing, people could watch an object being built, and if they had questions, they could ask them real-time and get an answer at that time. It would be similar to the chat features of the sawdust sessions, but you could actually talk and ask a question rather than type it out if you had a microphone. If you didn't have a microphone on your PC, you still have the option of typing a message.

I've used Skype for some time to keep in touch with people and it's worked great. Just Wednesday evening, I got a Skype call from a co-worker of mine that is in Reque, Peru on vacation, and it was just like he was next door talking on a land-line.

OKAY. If I understand this correctly - while you are working Sketchup application I could link with you (via Skype) and talk with you while watching your desktop on my computer - and this is a no fee arrangement via Skype).

Can this be done on an individual basis right now between two people with Skype installed?

dusty wrote:OKAY. If I understand this correctly - while you are working Sketchup application I could link with you (via Skype) and talk with you while watching your desktop on my computer - and this is a no fee arrangement via Skype).

Can this be done on an individual basis right now between two people with Skype installed?

Yes, you understand correctly. It can be done using skype now between 2 people, with the free add-in installed.

tom_k/mo wrote:Yes, you understand correctly. It can be done using skype now between 2 people, with the free add-in installed.

I loaded Skype earlier today. Need I get the free add-in with that load or is there something else. I see nothing in my skype menus that indicate I could do what we are discussing.

tom_k/mo wrote:Yes, you understand correctly. It can be done using skype now between 2 people, with the free add-in installed.

Yep you need to download and install more Dusty.

beeg wrote:Yep you need to download and install more Dusty.

OKAY. What else do I need?