The Fire Ant Gazette - A Midland, Texas Blog

Skype Captain
Category: Internet...
Posted Thursday, June 09, 2005 at 03:09 PM [GMT-6]

Update: If you're on my blogroll or one of the In Crowd (you know who you are!) and would like to communicate with me via Skype, send me an email message and I'll send you my username. I'm not ready to just throw it out for the world to see.

Motivated by Julie's account of taking the Skype plunge, I downloaded, installed and configured the free software (it's very similar to setting up chat software) and we were talking five minutes later. I have to admit that the concept is slick, although the actual process is less than perfect.

Julie said that my voice was coming through pretty clearly, but hers was cutting out badly on my end. She had called me first, so we hung up and I called her. That improved things a bit, but they deteriorated steadily through our short conversation. She was also hearing her own voice through her speakers, which makes me wonder if there's more than one way to configure a computer to use this service.

I'm skeptical (skypetical?) about the usefulness of this service. It feels really awkward to speak via your computer; I've never been a big fan of speaker phones, either. I'm also a much better communicator in print than in audio. My conversational skills are hit and miss, at best. A nice feature of Skype is that you can revert to traditional chat mode (typing) if the audio cuts out (or you lose confidence in your own voice or thought process! ;-)

On the other hand, it's undeniably cool to be able to audio chat across platforms and countries, and to put physical voices with the imaginary voices that inevitably develop after you've read someone's blog for a long time. And the price is hard to beat.

If you're unfamiliar with Skype, it offers free internet telephone services that are administered via your computer. The software works on Mac OS X, Windows, Linux and Pocket PC operating systems. You will need a microphone that's compatible with your computer, and it helps to have some good quality speakers. The Skype website can provide you with all the other info you need.

Technorati tags: Skype | VOIP

Permalink

Comments

skypetical?

...nicely done!!

"I'm also a much better communicator in print than in audio."

If it comes down to it, I prefer e-mail to IM for a very similar reason: with an e-mail, a person can compose what they want to say, review, revise, etc.

Once again, the Fire Ant Gazette has the reviews that matter. I've been wondering if Skype was any good, free or not. Maybe it will be in the future. Of course, then it probably won't be free anymore. ;-)

Posted by: Mr. Freen at June 9, 2005 03:23 PM

I, too, prefer email over IM for most things, although there are times when a quick IM session can save some significant time, vs. an exchange of one-line emails.

Apart from the connection issues, the quality of your Skype "experience" seems to depend greatly on the quality of your microphone and even its placement. I just discovered the Skype Sound Test Service which allows you to check both your speaker setup as well as your microphone. I discovered I had been holding the mike much too close to my mouth. I'm surprised that Julie could understand me at all.

I wouldn't dismiss Skype out of hand. If you can get a connection that isn't being routed through a hundred nodes, it's probably very useful. And if I had to make very many international calls, I'd be buying microphones and sending them to every one of my overseas/out-of-country contacts!

Posted by: Eric at June 9, 2005 03:42 PM

Many moons ago, last century actually, I hooked up one of the first Internet long distance services. I actually got thru to a friend in Hawaii. I could hear him, but alas he could not hear me and I think to this day he is probably still befuddled about who kept calling him with only static on the line. Problem was of course, extemely limited bandwidth on dial up and I'm sure the soft ware package was primitive compared to now.

Posted by: Wallace-Midland, Texas at June 9, 2005 03:49 PM

That does sound cool, at least as an idea. I'm with you on being conversationally challenged. I talk a lot, but that doesn't mean I'm saying anything.

Now, where did I put that microphone...

Posted by: Jim at June 9, 2005 04:13 PM

Oh yeah, like I need more people to guffaw at my accent. *grin*

Posted by: Cowtown Pattie at June 9, 2005 04:23 PM

Wallace, there's a world of difference when you throw broadband into the mix. You should have gotten Julie a Skype account before sending her off to London!

Jim, you're a preacher, for Pete's sake...you don't have to say anything, long as you say it real purty! ;-)

CP, if anything, I seem to tend to exaggerate a drawl when talking to those of the Yankee persuasion. I'm not sure why that's so...

Posted by: Eric at June 9, 2005 04:37 PM

Skype. Two words: Free. Phone.

Or nearly free anyway.

"I seem to tend to exaggerate a drawl when talking to those of the Yankee persuasion. I'm not sure why that's so..."

Probably for the same reason the President pronounces it "Nukular." :)

Posted by: denise at June 9, 2005 08:00 PM

Post a comment [Take your time...we're in no hurry.]

Note: You must provide either a website URL or an email address...but there's no rule that says you have to tell the truth. If you don't want your email address published on this site, just input a website URL, or make up an email address.