Calling all Wanabee chatters.

[acropolite]

A few Iceinspacers have made a suggestion, to Mike, that an online chat facility be provided. Mike is opposed to this idea and I tend to agree, as this forum is exactly that, a forum and not a chat room. There are instances however, when the ability to chat with other iceinspacers (one to one, or many in a conference situation) to resolve a problem, or simply to pass some time on a cloudy night would be useful. One possibility is to load Skype, or AOL, Microsoft or MSN instant messenger. Skype is probably the easiest to load and configure and has an easy to use interface. You can select who can call you, block selected users and even flag yourself off line, hopefully all the privacy you need. With a cheap headset you can also make a voice call. For those interested I have included my skype number in my signature, as a trial. Skype can be downloaded free from http://www.skype.com/download/

[vindictive666]

hey hey :)

ive got icq is that any good ?

i used to use it a lot :)

[iceman]

I'll download skype tonight, sounds like a good idea to use it for any group observing sessions etc.

I've got ICQ as well, but don't use it anymore. I left it behind with my online gaming days :P

[acropolite]

Mike, I've placed my skype address in my signature for now, but I feel that a better place would be in our profile, maybe in one of the AOL, ICQ or Yahoo fields. :confuse3: I had a nice chat with Iceinspacer Rowena last night using skype. That's two of us up and running.

[Striker]

Done...I am MobStriker

Waiting for Phil to authorise me....come on hurry up.

[acropolite]

Geez tony you crashed right in there, caught me by surprise. :face: I forgot to mention Skype has free voicemail and you can pay money to break out into telephony networks as well.

[Moonman]

Phil,

What kind of attachment for the computer do you need to have voice input so you can use skype.

Thanks

[rowena]

you need a microphone and speaker or a headset if you want to do a conversation (i.e like talking on a phone), otherwise you an just use your keyboard to 'type' your conversation like a chat room.

[Crash Nebula]

I'm downloading it now :) My username is
CrashNebula

[astro_south]

Guys

I'm on skype now - astro_south

[acropolite]

Sorry that I haven't been available much of tonight, some have tested by calling my number. The ones that have called I have added to my contacts list. Micheal, you just need a soundcard and a headset with a microphone to voice call another skype user anywhere on the planet. (Maybe some of out Overseas members can also join in). There are several headsets available that are "skype recommended" but I have a chickenfeed $5 one that even works. To chat (text only) you need only a P.C. not even a soundcard. Looks like the skype idea is taking off and hopefully should make a nice compliment to the IIS site.:D

[frogman]

wouldnt MSN be easier to use ?

[xstream]

Now on Skype

xstream4999

[Starkler]

I have a desk mic , does it have to be a headset? Is it full duplex or do you press a button to talk ?

[acropolite]

Geoff, Full duplex just like a phone, Haven't tried with speakers and a mic. Cheapo headsets with mic are available for under $20. Froggy, MSN would also be OK but the passport process is a pain and it seems to be forever needing patches. Skype is dead easy to use and for those that want the facility it has free voicemail and you can break out to regular telephone networks for a small fee.

[Striker]

For those who dont want to talk you can always just type.....so you dont need any extra hardware...aslong as you have a keyboard it will work...lol

Wahoo...6 on my friends list now.....

[frogman]

Warning Skype has spyware attached to it..... my copy of Sygate just stopped it sending a report back to their server.....


I will not be using it anymore....

If you would like to chat to me i will be using MSN Messenger..

Hope theres no important info on your machines.!!!!

Anthony

[ving]

taken for silicon.com


full article here (http://networks.silicon.com/telecoms/0,39024659,39125816,00.htm)

seems safe enough :confuse3:

[ving]

did you get yours as some sorta bundle frogster?

[frogman]

IT departments may also be turned off by claims that Skype contains spyware or adware.

Zennström is adamant Skype does not, though he understands people probably got the idea because the upstart file-sharing network Kazaa, a previous entrepreneurial project of his, did allow adware.


CRAP..... I got the idea because of my firewall asking if their server could have access to information not involved with their program..

I used to be a programmer (eductaional software) and i know what needs to be accessed.
I will not be using the program....

once again be careful boys

Anthony

[frogman]

Dont get me wrong this may be a fantastic program but i am verrrrrrry careful what information leaves my machine...

Sorry if i bought down the mood..

ANthony

[Striker]

Completely understandable frogman.....if you are really worried what leaves your computer.....have you invested in things like Virus software, Firewall or even a router....I'm afraid just being connected to the internet is a risk in itself.

[frogman]

NO ?? i have always run a firewall ....
Is that what you were asking

[acropolite]

Anthony, I recieved your text message about spyware. Most ADSL modems have inbuilt NAT firewall which is reasonably effective however a firewall will not necessarily prevent spyware from operating. I have been on the recieving end of spyware and run a current spyware checker regularly. Searching for skype and spyware will bring hits, most of which will tell you that there is zero spyware risk, which is in agreement with my spyware checker.
http://www.auditmypc.com/process/skype.asp indicates that there is no risk associated with skype. I'd worry about your email client and operating system first. You could also turn of java In IE as well as active X scripting, where do you stop??

[frogman]

if you say so.

Completely understandable frogman.....if you are really worried what leaves your computer.....have you invested in things like Virus software, Firewall or even a router....I'm afraid just being connected to the internet is a risk in itself.


Yep i run
Sygate Personal firewall (better than Norton and zone alarm)
AVG pro edition (better than Norton)
System Mechanic
AdAware
DU meter

So shes fairly well safe.

[ving]

no i was talking bout skype, did it come bundled with anything?
its been known to be bundled with kazza (or whatever its called).

as for me, I dont let my daughter 14yo daughter put msn messenger on the puter because of a little incident with a 20/m/paramatta so I wont put any chat proggy on here as it'd be a bit hypocritical of me i guess.
not that i have anything about p2p proggys :)

[RAJAH235]

I'd be very wary of anything that M$ puts out. I would not use their messenger service at all, too many back doors left open. I checked with GRC.com, for most of the info.
Hell, everytime I start Media Player it wants to connect to home base.
Why do you think I use Firefox & Thunderbird! Much safer.
As for Sygate Firewall, it's rock solid. Plus a few other AV/Spyware progs.
Regards, L. :D

[acropolite]

Some background information. ( I install VOIP telephony hardware as part of my job.)

1. We almost all use variable IP.
2. For many VOIP clients to work there has to be a call manager, which needs to know your (in this case skype) username and IP address in order to connect a call.
3. Your PC needs to report back to the central call manager to keep track of your current IP address.
4. The call manager pays no part in the call after the initial call setup.

Hence the report from your machine Anthony.

This is not rumour, nor assumption... just the facts (maam).

To the best of my knowledge there is no risk associated with skype despite what your firewall is telling you. :D

[Striker]

Exactly...my firewall tells me I am getting hacked every day.....this is not true....just very minor warnings...that everyone gets.....

[acropolite]

There's a few of us using skype now and the exercise has been very valuable. In a group environment you can achieve, in just minutes, what would take days in the forum plus learn a little about the personalities you meet in the forums. As we said before
THERE IS NO SPYWARE RISK WITH SKYPE :D

[Striker]

And Phil has a very sexy voice....I thought I was on a 1900 number there for a while...not that I would know what one sounds like...woops...gtg...

[astro_south]

Just a "bump" up the list

&

a call for more IceInSpacers to get involved. Come on guys - its lots of fun.

[acropolite]

We all seem to agree that skype is both useful and fun to use. Mike (Iceman) where are you??, how about making this thread sticky so others can find out and participate. One thing I thought of is to maybe we could nominate a night when one member hosts an Iceinspace chat, either text or voice. I've also found another gadget, that I may get which allows skype to come through on your normal phone. I will post further (maybe a review) if I get one. In the meantime here's a link.
http://www.usbtech.com.au/product.php?productID=AU-SKYPUPA
There are also some USB headsets that work well with skype and then you can receive ring from your PC speakers and not have to switch or replug to speak. I may get a chance to test the Plantronics USB headset in the near future. :D

[Smokey]

Hi all.
Finally got my computer back and have now loaded Skype.
Nick is smokey_64
I have added those that put there nicks on here to my contacts.

Cheers

[Starkler]

Just loaded Skype , my id is geoff-r1965

[Daring Dave]

Yep...just installed it too....feel free to add me if you wish..

ID= daring_dave



:thumbsup:

[asimov]

ummm...guys..isn't this 'taking away' from the actual forum? I mean, if you spend most of your time chit-chatting & typing in this skype, where do you find the time to actually submit threads? Could you please enlighten me?

Cheers

[acropolite]

Not much time is spent chatting, but when you do it's possible to pass a lot of info on in a short period of time. I can honestly say that it's been very rewarding and fun too. I would say that all of the IIS members using skype are higher than average posters. Nothing ventured nothing gained....:D

[asimov]

"Nothing ventured nothing gained...." I certainly agree with that statement Phil.

Taa for the info.

[asimov]

Would I be correct in assuming I cant use skype because my OS is neither windows 2000 or XP ?

[Daring Dave]

I believe it works with windows, mac, pocket pc and linux...

:bashcomp:

[h0ughy]

For all those who really care, I have now entered the skype arena!

h0ughy is the skype name.

Thanks

[rumples riot]

Sorry did not read through the entire thread, can only add my own thoughts. However, I think an MSN messenger chat is pretty good. All you need do is register. I would be more than happy to add people to my list. I frequently chat with friends in Perth, America and England on MSN. It is instant and just like using the phone. Although not quite the same.

[Wombat_In_Space]

Well I have joined the fold on using Skype, I have use many voice programs over the years of being on the net and so far the test I have done on Skype have proved it to be a much better program then the others I have used, I like that the messages and any file are encrypted before leaving you computer , this dosen't mean I would send sensitive data through it it just means no more evesdroppers on the voice chat, the quality of the voice is better than all the ones I have used in the past.

Tranfering a photos I was able to accive 8Kb per sec when we weren't using voice and about 1kb when on voice chat.:thumbsup:

The set up is one of the easiest I have come accross, eg:Got my 69yr old mother to dowload and install it with no probs, she was up and running in 10 mins using voice.:)

Programs I have used: MSN,YaHoo, BuddyPhone, ICQ, AOL, NETtoPhone, EyeBall video and voice, Beta Tester for Telstra's early netphone software.

[ballaratdragons]

Darren, I tried to add your skype name to my list but skype says it can't find it!

[Wombat_In_Space]

Ken try this wombat_in_australia

It might have a prob with using caps

[ballaratdragons]

I did it both ways Darren, but I will try again now. Thanks.

[ballaratdragons]

Nope! Still no luck.

[astro_south]

I have noticed that sometimes it takes a couple of searches to find people - lots of people in their databases. It took me a few searches to find you Ken.

[Wombat_In_Space]

well I found you and sent you a message but itsays you are offline:confuse3:

[ballaratdragons]

Yep! Sorted now. It wouldn't find you coz I was offline! Doh!

[Starkler]

I did have skype loaded and didnt bother with it .

Ill give it another go.

[Striker]

Through pier group Pressure I was forced to join the group...I blame houghy

Geoff whats your username.....and word of advice...keep it on topic....lol

[Starkler]

Tony I tried to add you months ago and you never authorised me :doh:

Im geoff-r1965

[h0ughy]

why blame me!! oh I suppose, my wife does?

[Astroman]

OKay it's got me interested, I usually use MSN, but will try Skype

Skype name: Astroman02

[Striker]

I stopped using it...sorry Geoff....your added now.

[ballaratdragons]

Getting crowded in skype now! It used to be so nice and quiet lol!

[Striker]

sorry my fault....blame houghy

[h0ughy]

hey just because its a nice time there

[DRCORTEX]

Tony I tried to add you months ago and you never authorised me :doh:

Im geoff-r1965

I just tried geoff-r1965 and it isn't known ?

ciao

Lance
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[DRCORTEX]

This one wasn't found either



OKay it's got me interested, I usually use MSN, but will try Skype

Skype name: Astroman02


ciao

Lance
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[Astroman]

You must be doing something wrong then Lance, works for me.

[xstream]

As was earlier posted.
Sometimes you have to try 2 or 3 times before it goes through.

[DRCORTEX]

I tried 5 times then - but I'll try again ( after trying 5 times as per the mods recommendations ) . I hope it has a "group" chat option. That would be preferrable, as in IRC - the more involved, the more the questions, and more importantly, the more the answers.


ciao

Lance

[acropolite]

Group chat is no problem, even has conference calls which works OK for 3-4 users on dsl.

[ballaratdragons]

We are waiting for you to answer your skype Phil!!!

[iceman]

I'm downloading it now. I won't have much time at home to sit on and chat, but for an important meeting or event I'll get on :)

I used to use ICQ and IRC when I was into online games, but geez you can go through an hour doing nothing real quick when on chat programs. :)

[ballaratdragons]

We await your presence Mike! :)

[iceman]

Ok, my skype name is "iceman_iis".

I'm not on now though, I need to get a new headset. Jacob wrecked the one I had.

[asimov]

Every time I try to dowload Skype & try to install it I get the message: 'corrupted files'

I have 98SE & the home page for skype specifically states it can only be used with 2000 & XP, yet I hear of others using Skype with 98SE.....HELP!

[RAJAH235]

Asi, I think it's as stated on the home page. "2000 & XP only". Just looked again to verify. Might have to up-grade asixp. :D L.

[asimov]

Yup, my conclusion too L But I won't be upgrading to XP just so I can use Skype, that would mean buying a new computer as well. So you guys will just have to go without ASI's company on Skype! (I can hear you all breathe a sigh of relief!):lol: :P :) ;)

BTW Darren (wombat in space) apparently uses 98SE with Skype, so you may see me there yet! :scared:

[RAJAH235]

Oh no. Just when we thought we were safe to talk about you too.
Hope you get it working on 98SE 2, asitype. :D L.

[asimov]

I'll have another go at dowloading Skype & see what happens I guess. From what I hear, the only part of Skype you can't use with 98SE is the video.

[RAJAH235]

You on BB or Dial-up?

[asimov]

Nah, I'm on dialup unfortunately...I suppose your going to tell me it won't work with dialup? lol..

[RAJAH235]

Dial-up works fine in typing mode, bit iffy in voice.
Just D/L & try it... :D L.

[Jarrod]

2 years later, are you guys still having fun?

im on msn a fair bit (ok ok, im virtually always on msn :whistle: ), and it would be great to be able to chat about astro topics once in a while. im still fairly new to the hobby so it seems a great and quick way to learn about and discuss new things.

the gremlins got to my laptop last month, so at the moment im stuck on a computer with an older version of msn, so vioce chat is not an option right now.

anyhoo, any one interested? msn link is below my 'number of posts'/location info.

Jarrod

[joshman]

i'm interested, i'm an addicted MSN user, if i'm home (and sometimes when i'm not:whistle:) then i'm connected to the net and on MSN.

link in the same place as yours...but on mine... make much sense?

[Phil]

i have been using skpye for a while now find it very easy to use my name is phillip22222
Phil

[Louwai]

Yep, I've been using SKYPE for years.
I'm always using it to talk to my friends & also business suppliers overseas.

It's great.

If you buy credit then you can use it just like a standard ph to call any ph number in any country. Hell of a lot cheaper than Telstra.


At home I have 1 incoming Telstra line.
From that I run;
ADSL
3 different incoming ph numbers
1 incoming Fax number
+ SKYPE