Skype...anyone here use it?

GraphyFotoz

I thought I'd try it...just wondering if anyone else uses it?
What have ya heard about it?

troglodite

I use it almost on a daily basis, though only to another Skype user. It's pretty clear. I'm in CT and my buddy is in GA and no prob's.

Today, believe it or not, I was talking to the same guy who is now visiting in-laws in Germany, except for the commands being in German (for him) it still came through great (video too).

We use video also, which works like a charm but depends mostly on your webcam. Also using the video while running Picasa, iTunes, Adobe PS and Macromedia Dreamweaver tends to slow things down a bit - though I think that is an extreme example.

I'm a big fan of it since when I boot into ubuntu (linux) I can use Skype there too, and if at work, I had the notion to use it on the Mac, I could (though I might be frowned at heavily).

Audio, like any voip, might get choppy if processor use is maxed out like playing a MMORPG or burning a DVD but otherwise I feel it's a champ. Ebay bought it out so it should only get better.

Just my opinion, like bellybuttons, everyone's got them...

devbobo

Skype is a great product. Developed by the guys who Kazaa, it actually uses some of the peer-to-peer technology that they developed.

The Ebay purchase by eBay for $2.6 bn was very strategic, as Ebay want to push into markets like car and house sales where communication by between two parties would be vital....and skype provides the perferct medium in today's security consious environment.

I use it quite often teleconferencing multiple parties at different locations around the world. On a decent ADSL connection, I find the audio quality perfect.

Cheers,

David

Dee

I keep wanting to try it out
with my Mac, but my buddies have all declined! I'd have to get a microphone or a headset I suppose. And my buddies would too...

GraphyFotoz

Kewl!
Now I just hafta work on a buddy list.
I called a landline in MD tonite with mine.
Person was shocked it was done threw the web and a computer!
Sound quality was like I was next door even tho I'm in NY!!

Manfr3d

devbobo wrote:

....and skype provides the perferct medium in today's security consious environment.

David,

that sounds really like a line from the marketing dept.
Which security benefits does skype (over other products)
exactly have?

fotodojo

Manfr3d wrote:

David,

that sounds really like a line from the marketing dept.
Which security benefits does skype (over other products)
exactly have?

They key one that has gotten it so popular is that is is (via some fance footwork using 3rd party connection points) can traverse firewalls and NAT.

I have a Skype In number here in OZ, a Skype SMC wireless phone (as well as being signed up for Sype PRO) but it gets me out of paying $30 AUD/month for line rental so comparatively this is a bargain!.

Richard

GraphyFotoz wrote:

I thought I'd try it...just wondering if anyone else uses it?
What have ya heard about it?

I have used it for transatlantic calls. It's great, for the price. Simple user interface and hassle free installation. No ads or spam (so far). Sound quality is good if both parties use headsets, video suffers from low frame rate but is still kind of neat. I would compare it to the MPEGs that first appeared on the Internet in the early 90s. Which means that within the next five years it should be awesome.

Give it a try.

Manfr3d

fotodojo wrote:

They key one that has gotten it so popular is that is is (via some fance footwork using 3rd party connection points) can traverse firewalls and NAT.

I have a Skype In number here in OZ, a Skype SMC wireless phone (as well as being signed up for Sype PRO) but it gets me out of paying $30 AUD/month for line rental so comparatively this is a bargain!.

Yes, I agree that Skype is really convenient to use
and a great product in itself, but that doesn't exactly
make it secure. Secure really means that the communication
is secure (i.e that it cannot be wiretapped, altered, spoofed etc.)

jdryan3

Manfr3d wrote:

Yes, I agree that Skype is really convenient to use
and a great product in itself, but that doesn't exactly
make it secure. Secure really means that the communication
is secure (i.e that it cannot be wiretapped, altered, spoofed etc.)

I use it also. Ironically, because it is encrypted and goes thru firewalls it puts corporate networks at risk. There is also the issue of using the IM portion (again, encrypted) and being allowed to ftp stuff out. Also hard to archive and track if you have SEC or other regulatory issues.

So on a personal basis, it is great. None of the AIM issues. From the corporate exposure perspective, there are risks.

jdryan3

jdryan3 wrote:

I use it also. Ironically, because it is encrypted and goes thru firewalls it puts corporate networks at risk. There is also the issue of using the IM portion (again, encrypted) and being allowed to ftp stuff out. Also hard to archive and track if you have SEC or other regulatory issues.

So on a personal basis, it is great. None of the AIM issues. From the corporate exposure perspective, there are risks.

UPDATE: Try this link on a good article on the exposure pros and cons

ajgauthier

I like and use Skype very often. Sure, there are times during a Skype-con (like a telecon, but everyone is on Skype) where you can get feedback and echos, but it's free and you deal with it.

I Skype frequently while in Second Life (I have work/educational projects in there).

I bought the 'dial-a-landline' package 6 months ago when it was on sale for $15 from $30. I have no landline at home, so if cell-service goes out I'm stuck! I use my phone dialing capabilities when home, I can save on cell minutes. They don't even know I'm on voip.

For work --- I like it b/c I can dial in w/ Skype to any telecon phone number (since I have that plan) and use a voip recorder (I use Hot Recorder for VOIP) and record the whole meeting, then turn around 10 minutes after it ends to send out an mp3 to everyone.

It has it's positives and negatives, though when I'll be in Germany for 3 months this fall, it's how I'll be communicating back to the US with colleagues, friends, and family...and that's priceless!

Adrienne

Manfr3d

jdryan3 wrote:

UPDATE: Try this link on a good article on the exposure pros and cons

Thats cool, I didn't know Skype uses encryption.
Does anyone know how the key exchange is handled?

jdryan3

Manfr3d wrote:

Thats cool, I didn't know Skype uses encryption.
Does anyone know how the key exchange is handled?

Without going to their site and looking, I'm guessing that it is tied to the fact when you create an account you have to be 'permitted' to join someone's list. That doesn't mean fake/anonymous accounts can't be created - but you do have to create one and download software.

Also Skype was acquired by ebay about a year or so ago. Serious security folks there.

Harveylevine

I've recently tried Skype and have been very impressed. In the two weeks since I've used it I have had video talks with my brother-in-law in San Francisco, a friend in Vermont, and friends and relatives in Maryland. I agree with the people who are positive on Skype.

I've noticed that you can put your Skype name in your profile here on Digital Grin and I have done so. A Skype badge shows up on your postings. Feel free to Skype me; I'm always happy to talk about photography with people who share my interest.

Harvey

(Skype name: hplphotos)

SloYerRoll

I have SkypePro.

It allows me to make UNLIMITED calls anywhere "in the same country" calls for the flat rate of 36.00 a year (INCONUS).
You can also get SkypeIn which allows ppl to call you for 24/yr.

So you can effectively have a landline for unlimited in/out national calling for 60 bucks a year.

Whoever designed the website had no ideah what they were doing and the information is hard to find. The forums are also riddled w/ confusion and complaints about the cryptic site. Fortunately I don't pay them tho look at the website

It's great since I do freelance design & consultation. I can video chat, share files, all the cool stuff. And they have an API forum that developers are coming up w/ cool ideas.

Oh yea, Skype to Skype calls are free and your not charged a penny.

cabbey

We use skype a lot around here to talking to family spread around, it's a great way form grandma and grandpa to see their new grandkid for a bit every now and again. I also use it to talk to some of my co-workers occasionally... it's great to be able to have a quick video chat and show each other whiteboard scribbles to explain thoughts.

jdryan3 wrote:

Without going to their site and looking, I'm guessing that it is tied to the fact when you create an account you have to be 'permitted' to join someone's list. That doesn't mean fake/anonymous accounts can't be created - but you do have to create one and download software.

A note on that: you have to change the defaults to get that level of access. By default skype is wide open to allow anyone to see you and call you. The last time I created an account for a family member, we forgot that, and in the 20 minutes it took to remember to change the privacy settings she got a half dozen texts/calls/videocalls from people that didn't know who she was.

SloYerRoll

cabbey wrote:

show each other whiteboard scribbles to explain thoughts

Where's white board at? I couldn't find one and was disappointed since I'd really use this allot.

I guess I should ask another question to see if there's an answer for that.

I'd like to be able to take a screen grab and use that as a b/g for the whiteboard. I'm constantly talking about web development w/ others and it takes time to describe some of the nitty details I'm talking about. I'd like to just post the pic via skype and draw all over it.
Heard of anything like this?\

-Jon

Harveylevine

SloYerRoll wrote:

I'd like to be able to take a screen grab and use that as a b/g for the whiteboard. I'm constantly talking about web development w/ others and it takes time to describe some of the nitty details I'm talking about. I'd like to just post the pic via skype and draw all over it.
Heard of anything like this?\

-Jon

Jon:
If you have a mac running OS 10.5 you could share your computer screen over either the AIM or Jabber network using iChat. Then you could use Powerpoint or some other drawing program to dynamically explain your ideas to others on the call. They would be able to see everything you do on your computer including drawing. I believe that there are PC versions of screen sharing software over the internet, it just isn't as well integrated with the operating system as it is on the mac.

Harvey

SloYerRoll

Harveylevine wrote:

Jon:
If you have a mac running OS 10.5 you could share your computer screen over either the AIM or Jabber network using iChat. Then you could use Powerpoint or some other drawing program to dynamically explain your ideas to others on the call. They would be able to see everything you do on your computer including drawing. I believe that there are PC versions of screen sharing software over the internet, it just isn't as well integrated with the operating system as it is on the mac.

Harvey

Thanks Harvey,

I'm trying to find something that's cross platform though. I rarely use my Mac and my main machine is a PC. I deal w/ allot of freelancers that use PC&Mac so finding something that works for both is key in my search.
I found a skype plugin which boasts to be everything I need. But of course it's PC friendly only.

Any thoughts on an app like this through Skype? I may start up another thread later about this. But want to keep this skype related so the thread doesn't get hijacked.

Harveylevine

SloYerRoll wrote:

Any thoughts on an app like this through Skype? I may start up another thread later about this. But want to keep this skype related so the thread doesn't get hijacked.

Jon:
I've read the book Skype for Dummies and they seem to cover lots of clever ideas for the kinds of things you're asking about. You might find some good ideas there that address your issues and maybe some techniques that might help in other aspects of your business.

Harvey

SloYerRoll

Gotta love those dummies books!
Thanks Harvey!

Cheers,
-Jon

cabbey

SloYerRoll wrote:

Where's white board at? I couldn't find one and was disappointed since I'd really use this allot.

On the wall behind my desk.

No, seriously, we just point our webcams at physical white boards, or sometimes scratch paper on our desks.

I too would love to have a decent cross platform whiteboard like that. I played with a java based one on an http server at work for awhile... but it was mostly a chat room with a shared drawing surface thrown in as an afterthought.

Harveylevine

SloYerRoll wrote:

Gotta love those dummies books!
Thanks Harvey!

Cheers,
-Jon

Jon:
I looked up "Whiteboard" in the index of the dummies book and found an entry. The authors recommended a site called bebo at www.bebo.com

Bebo appears to be a social networking site where you can draw on whiteboards among other methods of communication. I suppose you could have bebo up in a browser while you are using Skype.

Hope this helps,

Harvey

SloYerRoll

Sounds like it has potential.
Thanks for the tip Harvey!

Cheers,
-Jon

Skippy

devbobo wrote:

Skype is a great product. Developed by the guys who Kazaa, it actually uses some of the peer-to-peer technology that they developed.

The Ebay purchase by eBay for $2.6 bn was very strategic, as Ebay want to push into markets like car and house sales where communication by between two parties would be vital....and skype provides the perferct medium in today's security consious environment.

I use it quite often teleconferencing multiple parties at different locations around the world. On a decent ADSL connection, I find the audio quality perfect.

Cheers,

David

You still using ENGIN Dave? I love my Engin ... Skippy
.

bauerman

I use Skype at work and it helps me keep track of people quickly in different company locations......nice and convenient.

Something that I did not like, however, was the way that Skype (once it is installed on your pc) would hijack the display of phone numbers from that point forward and make them "Skypable" with little flag graphics and the such. On some of our company web-pages - it would throw the formatting of the page way off to where the phone number was run off the side of the page.

I found a way through the Skype forums to remedy this situation, but it was from another user. Skype seemed pretty unapologetic about it to be honest and did not give me a good way to rectify it. They obviously want you placing calls through their service - but that was a little over the top to me.

I can pass on how to get rid of this feature without disabling any other functionality if anyone wants to know.......thanks.

cabbey

bauerman wrote:

I use Skype at work and it helps me keep track of people quickly in different company locations......nice and convenient.

Something that I did not like, however, was the way that Skype (once it is installed on your pc) would hijack the display of phone numbers from that point forward and make them "Skypable" with little flag graphics and the such. On some of our company web-pages - it would throw the formatting of the page way off to where the phone number was run off the side of the page.

I found a way through the Skype forums to remedy this situation, but it was from another user. Skype seemed pretty unapologetic about it to be honest and did not give me a good way to rectify it. They obviously want you placing calls through their service - but that was a little over the top to me.

I can pass on how to get rid of this feature without disabling any other functionality if anyone wants to know.......thanks.

Must be a windows feature, I've never seen it on a Mac. For that matter it must also be unique to IE, as I've not seen it on my inlaws machine with firefox after we installed Skype on it.

Phyxius

I use skype too! I got it when a friend of mine went to Australia for grad school. It was a great way to keep in contact!

bauerman

cabbey wrote:

Must be a windows feature, I've never seen it on a Mac. For that matter it must also be unique to IE, as I've not seen it on my inlaws machine with firefox after we installed Skype on it.

No - not unique to IE we use a lot of Firefox browsers at work and the phone numbers were "Skyped" there too.......

BELphotos

Skype vs. Vonage - Skype Big Winner For Me
I have been using Skype for about 2.5 years now, and have never been disappointed. Always a crystal clear conversation and very decent video conferencing. I was first turned on to the virtues of Skype by Leo Laporte of TWIT.tv. He and his crew use Skype for their group podcasting. Once in a great while you will get an echo back. However, the same thing happens on landlines occasionally. Just hang up and call back.

I have also tried Vonage and couldn't dump them fast enough. I was on a temporary Assignment in a place where they wanted you to use Vonage... come to think of it both the place and using Vonage was bad, very bad.

Vonage had beaucoup dropouts, crosstalk, and huge amounts of static. I used Skype as my backup with no problem on the same broadband circuit.