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Author Topic: Skype for Mac  (Read 6934 times)

Offline kadams9181

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« Reply #15 on: July 21, 2006, 05:13:08 PM »
Here's a review in Macworld that covers various VoIP programs including Skype:

http://www.macworld.com/2006/07/reviews/voip/index.php

Hope this is helpful.
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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« Reply #16 on: July 21, 2006, 05:49:21 PM »
Man, I've had the most unsuccessful internet 'shopping' experience ever. While several places offer either the ".Audio 45/DSP 200" Plantronics ( recommended at MacSpeech, whose site is under-construction while being moved, so not all links work, sorry for your troubles! ), not even the Plantronics site has any useful info on it ( older, discontinued model? ). I'm not impressed with the folding design, these things are delicate enough without having three hinges to break.

Then there is the ".Audio 500", again, lots of places selling them, but no one can provide much info. One would think that any USB capable mic, that does not need a sound card, should work with a Mac. ( Why would one have a computer without sound? )

I found a reasonably good price for the Audio 45/DSP 200 at <HeadsetZone.com>, but I don't see any way to actually order the thing! Even with all javascripts enabled in FF. Safari doesn't fair any better. I click on the only link anywhere near the item and get an empty shopping cart page. There are some very small "select" icons on the link page, but they don't seem to be links. Not an encouraging start for a sale! wallbash.gif

Another site, actually a seller on eBay, has a great price, but he is in Hong Kong while the product ships from Maryland. Seller has one star and seems to be the only one selling this headset. eBay already has two strikes against it, IMHO...

I'll just wait till I can get Judy to try calling her friend and see how the operation fits with what they want. We'll just use the iBooks mic and any headphones I can find. If all works with ease and reliability, we'll consider purchasing one of the Plantronics headsets. I know they are a good company, but they sure are proud of their products, especially their aircraft headsets! smile.gif

BTW, Jane, I saw several models of wireless headsets, they'll cost a lot more, but you might be able to at least sit in another room, if not garden with them. Depends on what freq and the type of radio used. I think I saw one that uses the 'standard' 900MHz range of mobile land-line phne sets.
« Last Edit: July 21, 2006, 05:52:36 PM by airbusdriver »
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Offline jcarter

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« Reply #17 on: July 21, 2006, 06:25:04 PM »
900MHz is what our land line is.
So it would probably interfere.  But I really dont need that yet. I will stick with the tied-to-the-computer, Skype.  And my landline yard work phone.  Whoops, I forgot the cell phone, its great too.  But we bought it for travel, so I try not to use it all the time at home, tho weve got plenty of minutes that we never use.

On to the Plantronics headset, I threw the box away, and the only thing on the headset itself is the brand; Plantronics.
And the iMic. I got this stuff long ago, so the boxes and info are not here anymore.  
Try the Skype-out Mac forum, perhaps they would have the latest model numbers of the headset.
I am dumb at this stuff, wish I could be more helpful.
Jane
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Offline Al

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« Reply #18 on: July 21, 2006, 08:08:00 PM »
Did anyone check the price for SkypeIn?  It's only $38.00 a year.  That's only a little more than my MONTHLY phone bill.
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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« Reply #19 on: July 21, 2006, 08:51:14 PM »
QUOTE
900MHz is what our land line is.
That shouldn't be a cause for interference. Most phones use at least 9 'channels' on that band. When you turn them on they automagically select a channel that is not in use nearby. That usually assures that you don't end up listening in on a neighbor. Same would apply with a 900MHz headset and your local landline phone. They will mutually avoid selecting the same channel, even if they are both on at the same time.

Al, why would anyone have a phone in 'paradise'?! Oh yeah, I remember; you may not actually be able to see the North Shore surf if you live too far away... smile.gif And it's also great for allowing 'visitors' to get directions to the nearest Long's for teeth wax! eusa_dance.gif
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Offline jcarter

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« Reply #20 on: July 22, 2006, 09:50:44 AM »
Just got the Sept issue of Caribbean Travel and Life, and on page 100 is a good article on Skype and other software for calling from out of country.
Here is their chart,
http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=...7UrYVp1eMzzaCc1
Its a fairly long article, and also goes into the info about GSM triband phones and other stuff.  If anybody here wants it, I can scan the rest of it and pixentral it here.

Quite a while ago, when we switched to Cingular, we wanted to be able to call back from Anguilla.  So when I called Cingular, they had no clue.  I was so frustrated with their tech support.  Got some help from several forums, including the Anguilla travel one. So I sort of knew what to ask for.
Finally I got somebody after about 30 calls who knew what I wanted, and knew that it could be done, she helped me set up a FREE addition to our account for calling back from the Caribbean.  So convoluted, but finally we did it.  After blowing up one SIM card, and got it replaced at the local Cingular store for free.
You can also purchase phones from the local Cable and Wireless offices for a month.
There are lots of options, and let me know if anyone would like this article.
Jane
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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« Reply #21 on: July 22, 2006, 11:24:54 AM »
Thanks for the offer, Jane, but you might want to check the copyright and/or restrictions on reproductions of articles in that magazine. They ( and their lawyers ) might not appreciate your 'friendliness'. smile.gif
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Offline jcarter

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« Reply #22 on: July 22, 2006, 12:10:10 PM »
Oh, goodness, I never thought of that. I think they have a website whereby we can read the article.
Thank you,
Jane
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Offline george

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« Reply #23 on: July 22, 2006, 03:06:31 PM »
ABD, type my name in the search area and see what happens, I have been using Skype with my non mac friends, the mac version gives audio only.
George
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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« Reply #24 on: July 22, 2006, 04:09:25 PM »
QUOTE
the mac version gives audio only
WHAT?! There goes my excuse to buy an iSight, assuming those things are still sold! Missed that "gotcha" when reading the info. Ah well, lessens the danger of frightening small children...
« Last Edit: July 22, 2006, 04:10:02 PM by airbusdriver »
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THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF COUNTRIES
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Offline Xairbusdriver

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« Reply #25 on: July 22, 2006, 04:57:12 PM »
Just had a call from kbear via Skype. Sound was great. I had my external speakers plugged in and he could not hear me until I unplugged them. Apparebtly that was somehow cutting out the built-in mic as well as the built-in speakers. dntknw.gif

I tried searching for you George. Used what I thought was your last name and even tried with a couple of email adresses I have for you. Nothing seemed to work. I did find a tonne of "Georges" in Great Britain, but none that I could establish as positively you. I'll leave Skype running for a few hours, but don't bother if it's not a free call. If it costs, I'll just try to call you as those calls are supposed to be free this weekend, at least from this side of the pond. But you can PM me with a more precise Skype name or the email address you have as an aid to making the contact.

Anyone else ( on this side of the water ) can try me at xairbusdriver on Skype. I now have a cheap pair of headphones available. I really want to verify that the mic is cut out when anything is plugged in to the headphone jack...maybe the Sound pref pane/Help will have that info...
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THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF COUNTRIES
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CAUTION! Childhood vaccinations cause adults! :yes:

Offline Xairbusdriver

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« Reply #26 on: July 22, 2006, 06:06:25 PM »
IT WORKS! Even with external speakers or cheap headsets! Even with my wife!!

Got a call from kadams ( Thanks! ) and realised the sound was still connected via the speakers, yet he could hear me fine. My wife then signed up and called her friend with Skype ( on a PC, no doubt ) and they talked a while. Now she thinks I'm all hyper about it and is taking the credit by asking me to "do it". I'll just let her gloat a while...

She said she didn't see any advantage or reason to spend $50 on a headset when the cheap headphones worked so well. I guess we can apply that money toward the new TV. The one in the Den just died yesterday. Judy claims our younger GrandDaughter 'watched it to death'! smile.gif I may try taking it to a repair shop, could be just the power supply, but the thing must weigh 100 pounds! :sweat: I'm not sure I can get a forklift in the house...eek2.gif We may now have to go to the bedroom to eat our TV dinner's! yum.gif

Oh, BTW, mention my name when you sign up for Skype and get a free cup of coffee at FourBucks! All you have to pay for is the cup: $4.95 + tax!
« Last Edit: July 22, 2006, 06:08:14 PM by airbusdriver »
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THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF COUNTRIES
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Offline swhitset

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« Reply #27 on: July 22, 2006, 08:13:50 PM »
Actually,  I believe there are already betas of the latest mac version floating around that include Video for mac as well.  So... I don't think it will be to long until the Mac version officially supports video.

Steve
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Offline Parker

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« Reply #28 on: July 23, 2006, 01:18:29 PM »
i use both skypein and skypeout as well as skype to skype
with my jabra bluetooth headset

LOVE SKYPE wub.gif
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Offline kadams9181

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« Reply #29 on: July 23, 2006, 03:57:44 PM »
I enjoyed chatting with you the other day.

Concerning the headset, I guess 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'.

I don't know what the sound quality was on your end, but on mine, it was excellent.  I look forward to talking with you again.
« Last Edit: July 23, 2006, 03:58:21 PM by kadams9181 »
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