Interacting and keeping in touch.

[gonelive]

A computer and fast Internet connection makes real time interactivity between internet Surfers easy
provided one has at least a microphone and/or a web cam built-in or hooked up to their ‘box’.
I was wondering how many of us make use of a web cam and a microphone, use skype,
or other similar programme, to keep in touch.

What do you have?

-A web cam
-A microphone
-Both
-Neither!

Mods please, it's not a hardware topic,
do not send this to TD Computer section, thank you.

[Marmite the Dog]

Mods please, it's not a hardware topic, do not send this to TD Computer section, thank you.

Luckily, I don't mod in here or I would've done, as that's where it should be.

[Whiteshiva]

A computer and fast Internet connection makes real time interactivity between internet Surfers easy
provided one has at least a microphone and/or a web cam built-in or hooked up to their ‘box’.
I was wondering how many of us make use of a web cam and a microphone, use skype,
or other similar programme, to keep in touch.

What do you have?

-A web cam
-A microphone
-Both
-Neither!

Mods please, it's not a hardware topic,
do not send this to TD Computer section, thank you.

Both - I use Microsoft MSN, mainly to keep in touch with my parents, so that they can see and talk to their grandchildren. Works OK.

[gonelive]

^^thanks for that then lol

so MtD do you use a web cam and/or mic to interact with family, friends or others surfers?

[gonelive]

Both - I use Microsoft MSN, mainly to keep in touch with my parents, so that they can see and talk to their grandchildren. Works OK.

and thank you too WS

What I am trying to determine here is how many of us interact using web cam and/or mic

little do I care if we have these devices or not or how many pixels is the cam or what's the mic's db impedence

[Marmite the Dog]

Why didn't you do a poll?

[zipcode]

Use Skype extensively, voice only.

With my UK employer, Skype is the only "approved" (translation: Yorkshire cheap bast*rds) method for the US employees to speak with the home office.

Also use Skype for voice with family and friends throughout the world. Great sound quality, all for free.

A hidden benefit of Skype is ability to transfer large files (larger than what email allows) at a decent rate.

One complaint about the recent version(s) of Skype is that chat messages are only delivered when both parties are online simultaneously; previous versions essentially treated a chat message as an email if the destination was not currently online, and the destination would see the chat msg as soon as he/she came online even if the sender was not online at that time.

Don't have the desire to use webcam; don't want my fellow employees to see that I am still unshowered and unshaved at noon!

[gonelive]

Why didn't you do a poll?

I started with that idea at first
a poll would lock you into something like this

What do you have?

A web cam
A microphone
Both
Neither!

but maybe it would be more interesting if, like WhiteShiva, to know besides having said devices is also how they are used

with an IM application, with streaming programmes, with Twitter like apps. etc.

[gonelive]

Use Skype extensively, voice only.

With my UK employer, Skype is the only "approved" (translation: Yorkshire cheap bast*rds) method for the US employees to speak with the home office.

Also use Skype for voice with family and friends throughout the world. Great sound quality, all for free.

A hidden benefit of Skype is ability to transfer large files (larger than what email allows) at a decent rate.

One complaint about the recent version(s) of Skype is that chat messages are only delivered when both parties are online simultaneously; previous versions essentially treated a chat message as an email if the destination was not currently online, and the destination would see the chat msg as soon as he/she came online even if the sender was not online at that time.

Don't have the desire to use webcam; don't want my fellow employees to see that I am still unshowered and unshaved at noon!

re cam perfectly understand your predicament if not presentable
I would not show myself either

[Marmite the Dog]

I use Skype for chatting, but it is often shite, because it cannot always deliver messages, which is really bloody annoying. Sometimes you can call the contact and the messages go through, but the one I've just tried won't even connect a call!! Piece of shite.

[Frankenstein]

Skype was great until the yanks bought it and started to 'improve' it.

[chinthee]

I use Skype extensively and as my primary business comms tool, apart from email. I use both chat and voice. My phone bills have gone down tremendously. I will never use video web cams etc., forget it. I don't want people seeing me hung over and nude on a business conference.

Skype is great because you can use the chat function to ping someone if they are available before ringing them up. And, I stay on invisible all the time so I don't get everybody calling me needlessly. Perfect control tool.

Nothing has yet replaced email for more in-depth comms, and of course attachments and keeping records.

I use trillian for personal chats, but only with family.

I use efax monthly subscription for all faxing. works beautifully. You just need a scanner and printer.

[gonelive]

I use Skype for chatting, but it is often shite, because it cannot always deliver messages, which is really bloody annoying. Sometimes you can call the contact and the messages go through, but the one I've just tried won't even connect a call!! Piece of shite.

yes how true and the pathetic thai internet speeds certainly do not help

[chinthee]

^ Yes, you must have decent broadband to use Skype and so must the other party. I find I rarely use in with parties in India and other developing places because they just don't have reliable broadband.

[gonelive]

Skype was great until the yanks bought it and started to 'improve' it.

seems that Skype has had some problems with its current owners and Google's planning a move on it for it's new G-Phone, when that'll happen is any body's guess

[gonelive]

Of course Chinthee a cam is a no no if ... eFax read about it but never used it, approximately how much does that service run you monthly?

[chinthee]

^$16.95/month unlimted I think from j2. I actually only use it a few times/month, but it's invaluable for contracts, and other signed docs.

Regarding Skype, the conference call feature is fantastic, and saves loads over booking normal bridge calls. I also buy Euro credits for use with Skype Out, which allows you to call any phone in the world cheaper than any other way. And, you can call any toll free number absolutely free.

[Whiteshiva]

^$16.95/month unlimted I think from j2. I actually only use it a few times/month, but it's invaluable for contracts, and other signed docs.

In what way is it any different from just scanning and emailing documents? I thought faxes were a thing of the past.

[DrAndy]

^$16.95/month unlimted I think from j2. I actually only use it a few times/month, but it's invaluable for contracts, and other signed docs.

.

how is it different from normal faxes? most places I deal with would not accept a fax as a legal document; all contracts have to be couriered etc and signed with a pen, and sometimes with witnesses

[chinthee]

In my business, we require a signed NDA (non disclosure agreement) before we proceed to the next step with a partner. We usually accept either a scanned or faxed document, but a faxed document with the return fax number is preferable legally. Same with contracts. Of course, later courier originals.

And, many places in the developing world where I deal, sometimes they don't have scanners etc., hard as that is to believe.

Finally, we use an online service for expense reporting that requires faxed in receipts, and there is no exception due to taxation reporting requirements.

[Marmite the Dog]

What's wrong with the built in Fax in XP?

Works fine for me.