Skype for Mac

[Xairbusdriver]

I finally succomed to my wife's pleadings that we sign up for Skype. She has a fellow State organization member with whom she will be talking to several times a month. The lady has Skype already.

From what I can see, Skype is basically an iChat on steroids. It's really an IM with phone capabilities. And just like iChat ( an all other IM's ), I don't know how to find another user. Skype apparently can find someone if you know their name ( screen or real ) and iChat can probably do that as well. But real and/or screen names or not widely publiched, generally..."catch-22".

So, is there anyone here who is willing to lead me by my sweaty hand? I'm sure headphones would help, anything to keep feedback down, but I've had no problems with iChat audio/video connections, sound-wise.

If you're willing to help, send me a PM and we can set up a mutually convenient time for a connection.

In the meantime, what are any 'gotcha's' we need to look out for? Tips you've learned? Things to avoid ( with Skype! ).

[kadams9181]

I've got it. I signed up only because all computer to land based phone calls are free until the end of the year.  My mom lives 250 miles away, so our weekly communication is now free (at least until years end).

We don't have the 'Skype In' functionality, which allows people with phones to actually call my computer, just 'Skype Out' capability.  

I'm not sure what the per minute charges are, but, I think it's less than Vonage. So, it you are looking at a VoIP alternative, Skype works well, and is cheaper than the competition.

One thing though, three way calling doesn't work well unless you've got a very fast connection (I'm on a WISP).

[swhitset]

I too use it for the Skype out capabilities.

It is nice when I am feeling lazy.  I sometimes have the Macbook pro on my lap sitting in the chair.  If I need to make a phone call I just make it from the mac.

Steve

[Xairbusdriver]

QUOTE

I'm on a WISP

I hope that's not as uncomfortable as it sounds! I think I remember the info suggesting that a multi-party connection should plan on using the fastest computer to initiate the calls. Same thing with iChat, I think.

Yeah, I remember seeing the "free" till the end of the year teaser. I guess I could use that to test the sound quality/ease-of-use thing.

I'm not sure we'll ever use the landline mode. I'm not about to drop the landline we have now. 911 is too important to give up, IMHO.

Do you use any add-on mic's or headphones with either computer-to-computer or SkypeOUT?

[swhitset]

I use my iPod earphones and the Macbook  pro's built in mic. A headset would be better, but at least with the earphones you eliminate the echo of the mic hearing the speakers.

I wouldn't use Skype as the only household phone, but  for now, it is free long distance to anywhere in the U.S. and another option at no cost (provided you have a net connection).

Steve

[jcarter]

I got Skype long ago when I wanted to communicate with our Caribbean friends, Belize and Costa Rica.  Even tho my cell phone plan is free in USA and most islands.

Skype had an echo that was very annoying, and you had to say "over" to change who was talking, which is not a problem.
So I kept upgrading when they sent emails, and its really nice now.
But its important to know that I use SkypeOut which connects to land line and cell from your Mac. Ive never used Skype to Skype.
I had to purchase an iMic from Griffin, to get the sound to work correctly.
You cant use your regular headset that you use for your landline. You have to get one that will work with the Mac.  I had problems, as that was before they started to advertise the ones that would work properly.  
The Skype Mac forum was very helpful.
Now, its just fine, I use it when I want to call anywhere.
I have never used iChat or any other IM system, so I cant help with any of those.

I would not suggest giving up your landline for Skype nor your cell phone.
We cant even think of that, as all our kids friends and our whole family rely on it to get messages thru when all else fails.
 The kids and friends do travel worldwide. My brother is off to Fiji, so thats another
reason.
GO for it!
Jane

[kadams9181]

You must use headphones or the party on the other end will hear the sound from your speakers causing the echo that jcarter refers to. With 'phones on, there is no echo. There is a slight delay, after you speak something before the other party hears you.

I've got a headset, actually, which has a mic plus headphones, but, for some reason, the mic doesn't work in my computer, so I just use my plaintalk mic with the headphones. (it must be some of those headsets jcarter's referring to)

The quality is very good, but, when network traffic, is heavy, you will hear some audio artifacts, at times, but not enough to be annoying.  

I don't think I would replace my conventional land based phones, but, at least for the time being, all long distance calls made from my house are done through Skype.

It's really not bad at all.

[Xairbusdriver]

OK, I'll look around for a pair of headphones, bound to be some around here someplace...

As long as Skype-to-Skype is free, I'll stick with it as it's really for my wife. That's the sole purpose of getting it, anyway.

[Epaminondas]

Milady uses Skype all the time.  

Ya canna get her off it.

Danger! Will Robinson! Danger!

Do you really want your wife to disappear?

Think about it before you do this.

It can be like giving firewater to an Indian brave . . .

----------------------------------------------

I bought her the least expensive headphone/microphone we saw - was it $20? - she seemed happy with it in the store - and she took it from there -

Her computer - an old dual core 2.8 MHz Intel Pentium D, 1 GB RAM, Windows XP.  We are on cable.

Impressions:

(1) Computer to computer, each with headphone/microphone combos and each on cable - the clarity is extraordinary.  Much clearer than the clearest conventional telephony - more highs.  It makes the conversation more pleasurable - as if you are in the same room.

She reports one instance of echo - she asked the person on the other end to turn down the volume of her microphone and the echo disappeared.

(2) Computer to computer, one on cable with headphone/microphone combo (US), the other on a telephone modem and a desk microphone (Poland) - sound is good but not spectacular.  All this with the addition of a jerky videocam picture from Poland - not too shabby as a telecam at what was probably 14,000 - 36,000 Kbs.

(3) Computer (US) to conventional telephone (Poland) - fine.  Sound comparable to a conventional telephone call.

(4) Computer (US) to cell phone (Italy) - fine, but not at all cheap.


I watched her set Skype up out of the corner of my eye, anticipating that she would need my help to set it up.  

Nope.  Piece of cake.


Wtih the choice of Skype or a regular telephone, she seems to prefer Skype.  I asked her - she seems to be happy going with whatever is cheapest.


She says that the conversations have been perfect within the US but she has had glitches on perhaps one out of every three or every five conversations when calling overseas - a few words get lost, that sort of thing - sometimes to the point that she has to end the call.  She points out that that also happens on conventional telephony when calling overseas.  She attributes these glitches to Polish phone lines.


I just asked her - she would not give up the landline for two reasons:

(1) 911

(2) Sometimes our cable modem doesn't work.


I hope it all works out for y'all -

Epaminondas

[jcarter]

Yes, Skype is great.  There is only one thing that keeps me from using it instead of the landline a lot, that is with my landline phone, I hook it onto my belt and use the headphones.  And can go anywhere in our house and at least an acre of yard, and have hands free to weed garden, do laundry, cook, wax truck, whatever.
With Skype, I am tied(wired) to the computer and have to stay in this room while talking.  Maybe thats good, cuts down on talk time!
Jane

[sandyman]

Epaminondas

QUOTE

Ya canna get her off it.

Danger! Epaminondas! Danger!

You are in danger of acquiring a Celtic accent.

QUOTE

canna

I've used it on OSX and Windows to call friends Computer to Computer without any problems so far. I've always used the built in microphone on the laptop and the iMac plus headphones.

A friend uses Skype Out to call his Dad in South Africa and he swears by it. The sound quality is apparently as good as using his landline and the call costs are a LOT lower

[sandbox]

this could be the best all in one headset for Mac.
http://www.macspeech.com/product_info.php?...products_id=348

They work in stereo over USB and recommended by the pickiest headset/voiceover  people.
Can be used as just headphones for iTunes when the Mic is flipped up.

Other recommended quality options http://www.macspeech.com/default.php?cPath...c560660b497ff78

[Xairbusdriver]

Thanks for the equipment info, I'll check those links ASAP. Anytime you can decouple the speaker and the mic, you should get better and louder sound output before feedback. It's always a balancing act at church; some can't hear ( and refuse to wear hearing assistance earphones bought especially for them ) while others complain about too much sound. But that's the fun part of 'running' the sound board!

Jane, you're welcome to come visit and do all the work you want out back and in front, as well. We have a couple of phones that have a headphone jack, just bring yours along. I'll even settle for a nice wash of the two vehicles, no waxing required!

E, there are many things a wee bit worse than an Irish/Scotish accent. Aye! And not many tings better!

[jcarter]

Hi Jim, Ill be there!  Actually I do love the gardening and whilst on the phone its great to pull the weeds and do some of the trimming with the hand clippers.

I haven't looked into wireless computing yet, as with little grandkids and pets, I want all my computers inside one room so I can close it off.  But I was thinking that if I get another powerbook, wireless might be nice.  So that made me think, perhaps Skype could be set up so that this would work?
Maybe next winter, I will explore how to do this, I think a friend transmits his iTunes to his stereo?  Yet, I am not a TV watcher, and having a smallish house, I would want to avoid the TV area(living room) when the thing is on.  I retreat to the computer room, especially when the kids are watching the movies or sports.

Wireless, yes, I will think about it someday.
Jane

[sandbox]

here's some more data on that headset.
http://www.plantronics.com/north_america/e...0606_1910_en_US

a full list of plantronics headsets
http://www.plantronics.com/north_america/e...eftNav.jhtml.11