Poll: Do you Skype?

[kiramdear]

Who's using Skype besides me? I had an idea we might be able to make use of it for networking, mini-confluencing, sales, etc. How many people could be in, I wonder? Good way to show off our Ricks!

[sowhat]

No, i don't. What is Skype? Is it the program for chatting on the phone using the Web?

[headbanger]

Yes & No.

I use freshtel/firefly.

I jam with friends on it too.

I think it would be great to organize something where forumites could get a conference call happening, chat and play our Ricks to each other accross the world.

Anybody interested? 88405181

[jdogric12]

Kira: Please explain in detail. Sounds like a great idea. Please keep in mind I have absolutely no idea what this is or how it works, so feel free to talk like I'm from Mars.

[rickboy88]

I've used Skype for the past 2 1/2 years, but mainly for work. It is an internet chat software package that is no cost for simple chat messages and computer to computer voice calls from anywhere in the world. For instance, forum types could talk to other forum members in other countries using their PC's for no charge. An internet headset with microphone works best. You can also pay to call "land line" and mobile telephones (unless that has changed).

A similar software package is Windows Live Messenger. The main difference between the two is that live messenger doesn't let you stay logged in on more than one computer, where as Skype does (which can be good and bad).

[leftyguitars]

I use Skype and MSN, but I use MSN more often than Skype.

[rickboy88]

I use both as well. One for work mainly (Skype) and Windows Live Messenger more for personal.

[phlemmy]

for those who don't use search engines: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skype

[scotty]

MSN for slagging off forum members! only im mostly on the receiving end!

[leftyguitars]

That Scotty is such a tart, no wonder nobody likes him!

Opps sorry, I thought I was on MSN!

[kiramdear]

Thanks, all, for the interest.
I use Skype for video and audio chatting around the world for free. If your computer has a camera on it then two people can just sit, speak and see each other in real time. It's quite brilliant, actually. I don't know if more than two can play, I doubt it, but wouldn't that be cool?
Apple iChat lets three or four chat simultaneously but that's only for the few.

Now I'm confused. I looked up MSN and it appears to be discontinued. And it appears that it was not a video service... Windows Live Messenger offers video but not to Mac users.
Ah, the crux of the biscuit seems to be the OS barrier. Mac & PC users have to use Skype (or some third party app) to see and talk to each other.

[kiramdear]

OK, I was hoping to organize a directory or something of members interested in videochatting about their Ricks. It looks like the logistical problem is laid out, the OS thing, so it's up to members to decide how they may connect. Apple users have iChat, Windows users have WLM, but Skype lets both interact freely. With Skype you go through a quick request-and-approval process, you can't just call up someone out of the blue, so it's very safe.
Let this serve as a bulletin board, then, and members may post their various addresses and interests for others to pick up. Gerry has started us off nicely:

I use freshtel/firefly.

I jam with friends on it too.

I think it would be great to organize something where forumites could get a conference call happening, chat and play our Ricks to each other accross the world.

Anybody interested? 88405181

Be sure to post any problems you might have, as well

[kiramdear]

I looked into Freshtel Firefly and found that it's only for Australians using the Freshtel service but could connect our members in Oz. I found a help guide for Freshtel Mac users: http://www.freshtel.net/help/guides/mac/

Oh, my Skype address is, not surprisingly, kiramdear

[scotty]

That Scotty is such a tart, no wonder nobody likes him!

Opps sorry, I thought I was on MSN!

MSN for slagging off forum members! only im mostly on the receiving end!

See what i mean!