Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with skype

The right time / way, to discuss moveing in together (going from long-distance relationship to near-distance). Help.

audio — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:55:44 -0800

When is the right time to discuss moving in together when you've recently translated your relationship from skyping for 3 years to actual dating in person for 2 months? Basically, I chatted with a guy via skype for 3 years. We finally met two months ago and it has been dynamite between us, but he has never brought up living together. I can sense he doesn't want to get his own place yet ect (young adult) but I want to settle down and live with him so I don't have to return to my country of origin. This long-distance thing isn't my thing, in other words.

When is the appropriate time / way to bring up this kind of sensitive subject?

Prepaid iPhone data plan in Mumbai?

jesseendahl — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:40:15 -0800

Hi, I will be living in Mumbai for 11 weeks next summer. I have an unlocked iPhone 3G. What is my best bet in terms of carrier and plan for the cheapest and most reliable data access? I plan to do local calls over the cell phone voice network and international calls via Skype on the iPhone. Thanks in advance!

Where can I go to use skype in London from 11pm GMT tomorrow onwards?

Not Supplied — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:46:38 -0800

I can't get skype working on my Ubuntu machine. Where can I go to use skype in London from 11pm GMT tomorrow onwards? Is there a suitably equipped internet cafe open then? I know I could probably get it working on 'buntu with a bit of time, but I'm too busy 'tween now and then.

So any good public computers or creative solutions?

They will obviously need to reliably have an ok headset and skype installed.

Sharing video with Skype screen share feature

flod logic — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:39:24 -0800

Is there some way to share video over Skype with the screen share feature? I'd like to use the screen share feature in Skype so that another person and I can watch the same video (which is on my computer) and talk about it. Is this even possible? I've tried opening videos in VLC and mplayer while screen sharing is on, but all the other person sees is black where the video should be. Any suggestions? I'm using XP, if that helps.

Is it really a baby shower if she opens presents alone?

ohio — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 07:51:56 -0800

Multi-continent baby shower! I am trying to host a baby shower for someone in the US, while all of the guests are abroad. I sort of assumed that Skype would be able to do this, but it looks like I won't be able to get video for everyone, just voice (?). What are my best options? I can run up to three laptops on a decent wireless network here in the US. It looks like we'll have maybe 15 (maybe less) guests, joining mostly from Europe. Most of these guests already use and are familiar with Skype, but some are not very tech savy at all, like grandparents. I would like this to be free for all the guests, but I can pay a little bit if I need to.

In sum:
-15 or slightly less people, some can probably be in the same room using one computer
-easy to use
-free for the guests, but not necessarily for me

What do I do??

I stupidly already sent out the invites saying that Skype would work, so if I can make Skype work that's my best option. Thanks!

I want to setup a simple home call center using Skype.

nitsuj — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 09:42:11 -0800

I want to setup a simple home call center using Skype. Basically, I want a SkypeIn number to ring a phone in my house and, if no one picks up, route to an automated message that allows the caller to hit #1 or #2 to call my cell phone or other phone. Most of the solutions (like PrettyMay) that can do this are for businesses, and therefore very expensive. Is there a cheap or free home solution? Mac or Windows, whichever.

My webcam hates the Internet

mthomps00 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:36:02 -0800

My webcam keeps kicking me off the Internet! How do I diagnose this? For weeks, I've been using a Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000 webcam to conduct video calls over Skype with no problem.

Then, last week, I installed software (SkypeCap) to record one of these video calls. It worked all right, but the video of the call recipient was sluggish, so I tried installing another video call recorder (Pamela). That's when the trouble started.

After I installed Pamela, my video calls started happening like this: I'd call the person (or they'd call me), turn on my video (or start with video), we'd chat for a few seconds, then the video would freeze, the call would end abruptly, and my wireless Internet connection would stop working altogether. I'd have to right-click on the Wireless Network icon in my taskbar and ask Windows to repair the connection before I could get back on the 'Net.

I've uninstalled Pamela and Skypecap, upgraded to the latest version of Skype, tried making a video call with another app (ooVoo), and the problem persists. It must be some conflict with the webcam, because it doesn't matter which software I use to make the call -- Skype or ooVoo -- the call ends shortly after beginning, and the Internet stops working.

I have no idea where to begin diagnosing this. Does this sound like a device driver conflict? How do I repair it?

My setup is Windows XP SP3 (Core 2 Duo processor, 3.25 GHz, 3 GB RAM). My broadband speed is 1544 Kbps download and 705 Kbps upload.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

Skype Ultra-Lite

nosila — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:04:12 -0800

Hi there. I'm living in Montreal and just got an Android-based phone (HTC Dream) through Rogers. I'm trying to use Skype Lite, which would be like a dream come true...if it worked. Help, please! I'd like to use Skype Lite to call internationally. Should be a breeze, right? I got the Skype Lite app, installed it, signed in, and everything looks fine. My contacts are all there, etc.

It works by dialing a local number (in Montreal, supposedly) and then somehow magically connecting to Skype via that number so that I am only using local minutes that I've paid for on my phone plan.

The trouble is that when I try to actually make a call, it tells me it's dialing a local number to connect to Skype. It then dials this number: +1813xxxxxxx

According to Google (who clearly rules my life even more now that I have an Android phone), this is a Florida area code.

Then, I get the following message:

"The number you have called is not assigned. Please check the number and try your call again."

My call is then terminated, and I didn't even get to say hello. The location in my Skype profile is set to Montreal. I have no idea how to change the number that it calls to a local Montreal number. Skype has notoriously bad customer service, so no help there. Next step is to try Rogers, but I know exactly how that will go.

Anyone out there have any insight or ideas on this one? Thanks in advance!

Passing off calls with Skype?

wongcorgi — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 21:32:55 -0800

Help with some logistics questions for Skype as a home use landline/cell replacement. In order to save some scratch, I've gone to prepaid cell plans in my home. My family plan previously had over 8000 rollover minutes with 900 expiring every month- we don't talk a lot.

I've been using Google voice redirecting to a SkypeIn phone number for home use (to save on cell minutes), using my desktop PC mainly to take calls.

My question is this- how do I get around the fact that any incoming calls will have to be taken at my desk? (Especially when calls aren't for me?) I looked at the Skype forums and it looks like you can't pass off calls/transfer to another Skype client. It looks like you can transfer to another account with Skype pro but that is no longer offerered (and I'd like to avoid the hassle of multiple accounts and the additional subscription fee)

I'd rather not get a Skype to landline phone adapter (I dont even have a regular phone around) and I all the wifi Skype phones I've seem have pretty poor reviews.

Any recommendations on good hardware or other ideas?

Is Skype the best voip solution from Russia to the U.S.?

toomuch — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:47:16 -0800

Is a SkypeOut the "best" solution to call back to the U.S. while travelling through Russia? A friend of mine is traveling through Russia for a month. He wants to call back home from time to time and AT&T is telling him $5/minute on his iPhone. I was thinking he could get a local SkypeOut account and call home whenever he could find decent internet access. We talked about getting him a USB voip adapter but for the few times he'll use it not sure that will be the efficient way to go. Are there better options that I'm missing?

Is there a way bring in an incoming call to an existing Skype conversation?

nitsuj — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:17:40 -0800

Is there a way bring in an incoming call to an existing Skype conversation? Is there a way bring in an incoming call to an existing Skype conversation?

OK, say I'm Skyping with Bob. Then Joe calls me on Skype. Is there a way to answer Joe's skype call by bringing him into my call with Bob, so that we're all talking in a conference?

I can answer Joe's call, which puts Bob on hold... and then in Joe's call window there's a Menu button with "Add to conference" underneath it... but it's grayed out and not clickable.

So what's the deal; is this possible? I'm using a Mac.

Thanks!

How to delete an IM on Skype before it is received? [AccidentalInappropriateMessageFilter]

anthropomorphic — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:29:41 -0800

My boyfriend Skype-IMed his mother a very dirty greeting that was meant for me. It still shows the circling icon that I think happens when you try to send a user a message when the user does not have Skype running at the time. Is there any way to delete this before she gets it? He's freaking out, as you would too, if I told you what he just told his mother.

How to use Skype to call a Jordanian cell?

jacob — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:46:00 -0800

How can I call a cellphone in Jordan using Skype? I'm trying to reach a Jordanian cellphone via Skype. The number is of the format 079 - XXXX - XXXX -- at least that's the number I can dial from another Jordanian cellphone to complete the call.

So far I've had no luck connecting to the phone with Skype, though. I've selected the Jordan country code (962) of course, and I've tried to complete the call with all eleven digits, omitting the zero, omitting the seven, etc. and nothing's worked so far.

Anybody know how I should format the number?

Trouble with Logitech USB 350 headset under OSX 10.5.7

oxidizer — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:27:41 -0800

I've just upgraded a G5 tower from 10.2.x to 10.5.7. The upgrade went off without a hitch... but... i do have a problem using my Logitech USB 350 headset with the system now. When making a call with Skype, for example, the headset will typically work for a while (several minutes) before suddenly throwing out massive amounts of horrible noise via the mike channel. When this happens, I can hear the other side of the conversation just fine, they however can't hear anything except an aneurysm-inducing noise. If I hang-up and restart the connection, the game repeats. Sometime the noise sets in sooner, sometimes later - however, it always sets in. Facts: 1.) This headset worked without a hitch before the upgrade (from 10.2.x). 2.) Audio settings on a system level and within Skype are correct. Does anyone have any clue as to what is going on and what might remedy the situation?

Cheap smartphone that will make Skype calls over Wi-Fi?

redteam — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:28:02 -0800

Can anyone recommend a cheap smartphone that can make Skype calls over Wi-Fi? I don't want to use the smartphone on the cell phone network (though I might if I can get a cheap one that will work with AT&T). I just want one that will be able to make and receive Skype calls over my home and office wifi networks. I would prefer that the phone actually run Skype's official software, and not some alternative. Basically, I want a cheaper alternative to one of those Belkin or Netgear wifi phones.

The Skype calls must be able to use the phone's built in microphone and speaker - like a normal phone call. I mention this because some of these phones will run Skype but only with a headset or only over the speakerphone or some nonsense.

I will try and find any recommended phones on Craigslist in Los Angeles, if that matters.

D&D via VOIP?

Squid Voltaire — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:05:05 -0800

Tips for D&D via Skype (especially audio tips?) A couple of months ago, my good friend had never rolled a twenty-sided die. Now, she has a fourth-level gnomish mage!

She's traveling out of the country for two-and-a-half months, but I suggested that we play via Skype! I was inspired by Gabe, of Penny-Arcade fame, but I don't understand how he got it to work with just a laptop microphone.

We've tried talking to her via Skype before, and for one-on-one it's fine, but when six people all yell into the laptop it becomes incomprehensible noise. Does anyone have any suggestions? Should we all wear lapel mics? And how would that even work with Skype?

Worst case scenario, I presume that you can video conference call via Skype, so I guess everyone could have an individual laptop? That sounds pretty cumbersome, though...

Whats the best way to capture, edit and share an over-the-internet recorded interview for my blog?

msoffab — Tue, 26 May 2009 13:04:15 -0800

Whats the best way to capture, edit and share an over-the-internet recorded interview for my blog? I have a blog dedicated to startups where I interview people using Skype or webcams and want to know the best way to:

1. Capture the audio and video into my mac computer
2. Edit scenes out and add other audio/video commentary that I record post interview
3. Upload it and share it to my blog (either hosting myself or youtube, viddler, etc)

I like the idea behind http://www.jingproject.com/ but I don’t know if they allow for editing before you share it.
And http://www.techsmith.com/ looks like they have useful products for this as well, but I don’t know which is the best.

I currently use ScreenCast or the Skype recording plugin but are unhappy with the rendering time and out of sync issues. I will then use Final Cut or Motion (which I think is overkill) to edit and render the final interview.

Does anyone have a standard choice for this setup that can make this whole thing easier? Maybe through the use of templates?

Skype support number?

furiousxgeorge — Fri, 22 May 2009 22:39:13 -0800

Is there a telephone support number for Skype? I'm having a problem with their billing and as far as I can tell this phone company does not have a phone. The E-mail support is not great either, which is why I'm looking for another way to get in touch.

Japanese conversation practice with a native speaker in the Portland, OR area (or maybe Skype)?

wastelands — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:17:28 -0800

Japanese conversation practice with a native speaker in the Portland, OR area (or maybe Skype)? I took three years of Japanese in high school, almost 11 years ago. Lately I've taken an interest in relearning it. Right now I'm still re-memorizing hiragana and katakana, so I at the beginner level for sure. But eventually it would be cool to get conversation practice with a native speaker without necessarily spending the hundred of dollars and the firm time commitments of a college course.

Ideas? I tried posting to the craigslist "activity partner" section, but nothing came of it.

ありがとうございます。

Making the jump into the 21st century

mds35 — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 06:35:33 -0800

Why do we need a landline? The year is 2009. I know this question has been asked before but as the years go by and networks change, the answers do as well.

We pay $45/month for digital voice that we almost never use (maybe 8-10 minutes per month). I'd like to eliminate the expense but the wife says no, keep it.

But do we really need a landline in this day and age? It's not even a true landline phone since it's digital and comes through the cable modem.

Here's our set-up:

We have 3G iPhones through AT&T.

At home we have Verizon cable internet and digital cable along with digital voice. These all come through the same "pipe." So it seems to me that if we needed a landline and the internet was down, our landline would be too.

Also, we have a Skype account that we could fund for emergency phone calls.

So do we need this antique?

This is in Boston. FIOS and U-Verse are not yet available on my street, FWIW.

Ditch the cell, get a Peek?

tev — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:20:56 -0800

Should I ditch my cell phone in favor of a Peek/Skype/GrandCentral solution? Has anyone successfully attempted this kind of migration away from traditional cell phone service? Is there anything I should consider or be aware of? I'm tired of the cell-phone runaround and what seems to me a high cost and a low value situation, but I need to be able to keep in touch with friends and coworkers. I usually make phone calls at home and most of my other communications are text based.

So the new Peek Pronto combined with some sort of wifi phone at home or the cafe (i was thinking to repurpose a disused windows mobile device) seems to be a economical/practical/attractive way to keep in touch.

Alternative similar suggestions/experiences?

Eerie coincidence, or does bigfoot...er...OS X malware actually exist?

jferg — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:52:30 -0800

Fraudulent Skype transactions: eerie coincidence, malware, or something else? So, my mom had some real weirdness happen in the past couple of days with Skype and her credit card, and I'm wondering if there's some sort of new, bleeding-edge malware for OSX out there I'm not aware of, or if it's just a really crazy coincidence.

(Note: I'm an IT Security Guy, but mostly on the development and network side, so I'm not _as_ current on desktop security and I do almost nothing with Macs - but feel free to go technical on me.)

This is the timeline of the weirdness:
1. Last Thursday afternoon while visiting my mom, I downloaded Skype to her Mac (x86 iMac, OSX 10.5.4), and set her up with an account. The account didn't have the same username as any of her other online identities, but was tied to the gmail address she uses for most other stuff. Didn't give them any credit card info or anything else, because she's just going to be using it for Skype-to-Skype to talk to me. (And I don't have her credit card info anyway.). After testing it to make sure it works, we closed Skype and didn't touch it again before we left.

2. Saturday, shortly after we left, she gets a call from CitiBank saying her credit card has been used for 'high-risk' transactions, in the form of 3 charges from www.skype.com totalling $10. She calls me, I tell her what info I gave them, that her credit card info was not given to them, etc. She calls them back, tells them the transactions were fraudulent, and they cancel the card, refuse the charges, etc.

3. Sunday morning, she gets an e-mail to her gmail account from Skype telling her that the charges to [some other Skype username] were refused, etc.

So this means that within 48 hours of having downloaded and installed Skype on her computer, somebody else has used her credit card number and e-mail address to sign up for a Skype account. This is, in my mind, slightly beyond coincidental, but the only other thing I can come up with is that her machine is compromised, or her home network (cable modem, wireless, WPA2, average password quality, few neighbors) is comp'ed.

However, I also signed up for a Skype account from my machine on her network, as well as paid bills, logged into my online banking, etc, and my stuff (at last check) was fine, which suggests its not at the network level.

So...is anybody aware of Malware for OSX that's harvesting info for Skype fraud, or is this just a really bizarre coincidence? Or is there anything else you guys can think of that I'm missing? Does anyone have any suggestions (outside of the normal unixy methods of looking for running processes, open ports, etc) for detecting malware on here machine, if such a thing were out there? I don't have physical access to her machine now, as we've since driven back across 4 states to home, but can do a WebEx or VNC session with her if need be.

(Also, she's since had the card cancelled and is getting a new one issued, so that's a non-issue, but I want to make sure this doesn't happen again.)

Firefox crashes Maybe Skype 4.0?

NorthCoastCafe — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:02:38 -0800

Since upgrading to Skype 4.0 Firefox has started to crash, frequently, without Skype open. Is Skype the cause? What shall I do to avoid the crashing? BTW, I am not too nimble at computer wizardry, need basic advice. Tnx.

How could I hack a phone receiver to act as a PC audio device?

bartleby — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:10:33 -0800

Can I use the RJ11 (modem) port on a PC to plug in a phone handset and use it as an audio device? Trying to help a Skype user who has trouble with headsets but knows how to pick up a phone. So I've got a relative who's had to cut out phone service and move to Skype for budget reasons. They love Skype, but find that when it rings, they just can't make it to the computer and get the headset on and activated in time to catch the call. They also don't like the speakers/mic option, since this makes every call a speakerphone call.

And we both know that there are purpose-built Skype phone devices out there, but they can't afford to buy any of them (and won't take one as a gift - stubborn SOB).
But they know how to pick up a phone and already own several.

So I'm thinking that perhaps there is some way to plug a plain ol' phone into their RJ11 modem port and somehow get the system to use the receiver as the speaker and mic. Skype rings, you pick up the phone, the sound comes out of the phone.

I know that they'll still have to use the computer to dial; I'm just trying to find a way to repurpose an old phone receiver as a PC headset alternative.

As another option, they also own a cellphone headset that they like, but it's got an 1/8" plug connector like most of them do; is there a dongle out there that would adapt that for USB? That would solve the problem too, and they'd probably believe me if I told them it only cost a few bucks - even if it didn't.

China hates skype?

kinakomochi — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 18:18:33 -0800

How can I overcome bad Skype quality when calling into China? So my girlfriend recently moved to China (Beijing), and whereas before while she was in Japan we could video chat via Skype without problems, now it's almost impossible to talk. She says that she can hear me fine, but on my end I get a mixture of garbled electronic noise and it sounds like she's pointing a large fan at the mic and yelling over it.

I have successfully used SkypeOut to call her friend's cell phone, but ideally I love to find a free option that I could use to have voice conversations with her. I am in Seattle Washington.

I am open to trying any software or service but it needs to be simple enough that I can walk her through setting it up on her end. Thanks!