For research purposes I have made some overseas contacts, and their suggestion is to use SKYPE for recording conversations (with their permission already given it should be legal). I embarked on attempting to set this up.
So far I have not been able to figure out how to contact anyone. The Mac Skype client seems barely minimal compared to the Windoze version with all the bells and whistles such as games and built-in record options. (It used to be the Mac programs that had all the fun and frills.) Unfortunately I went ahead and downloaded before I looked up user sites and comments, and find that there are many complaints against the 2.8 version. Some are saying 2.7 is more stable; others have complained about all the client versions for Mac.
Also, there is still no internal method of recording the conference calls, even audio only. I have looked for recording software. One link I tried popped up a message advising me that it was "malware" and not to visit the site. Another offers a commercial program SkypeCap (for capture of info) for nearly as much as I'll have to spend on the USB headset that I've been told I'll have to get; they said there's no adapter for a mini-jack headset I already have.
I currently don't have the budget to upgrade to a new computer. Whatever I get has to run on this one -- a half-grapefruit iMac (from about 2004) with the adjustable-height/tilt screen, using Tiger (as updated from web).
Can anyone suggest a reliable, straightforward Skype/record setup with a moderate to easy learning curve? Do I need to wipe Skype 2.8 and install 2.7?
Thanks for any suggestions.
MSH
Skype 2.8 won't perform very well on your iMac, as you're probably just a little above the minimum CPU requirements - an 800MHz G4, and your internet connection has to be very good for glitch-free calls - and that goes for Win, Mac or Linux at any processor speed.
Skype should work well with full-speed ADSL from Bell, or Cable from Rogers/Primus, but won't work well with any less of a connection - for example, WiMAX and that weird watered-down version of hi-speed (Rogers "Lite", etc.) haven't sufficient upstream speed to keep up.
So, other than upgrading your machine - the only other suggestion I have is to, yes, downgrade to 2.7, as 2.8 is beta, i.e. not finished, and each new version will have higher CPU requirements. I would go back to the earliest version that works with the recording plug-in...
I suppose the free long-distance calling is the main reason you and they would like to use Skype, and secondarily, the ability to record your calls. I know of a low-cost add-on called Ecamm Call Recorder, link here:
http://www.ecamm.com/mac/callrecorder/ (http://www.ecamm.com/mac/callrecorder/)
Happy Mac'ing!
Dan
If you're main requirement is to record the calls, and damn the long-distance charges, check out Ottawa's own Parliant's PhoneValet Message Centre, I can't say enough good things about this product!
Happy Mac'ing!
Dan
The "About this Mac" panel says it's a 1.25 GHz G4. Though the machine's memory was upgraded to 768 MB, I had downgraded to Rogers Lite when I got rid of cable TV. So I was wondering whether the connection would still support audio only.
There is no webcam factory-installed on this computer, and I don't own a peripheral one either. Being seen was never something I'd wished for, and I figured nobody would want to look at my messy desk either.
So could this setup work if I ask the other party to turn off video, if he has it (and if turning it off is possible)?
I will get rid of 2.8 to start with, and look up those record options.
Thanks.
Audio-only should work, but the upload speed on Rogers Lite is, once again, just barely able to sustain an audio-only connection. So, yes, your G4 is fast enough for audio, or video for that matter, but your internet connection is going to be a bit of a bottleneck. Just make sure you have no other internet or file-sharing software running when you use Skype, and it should be okay. You will likely get glitches in the audio, slight pauses and delays and you may notice some "echo" on the line, but it should work.
There is some info on Skype's site that may be helpful as well:
http://support.skype.com/en_US/faq/FA35/What-can-I-do-when-I-experience-poor-sound-quality?frompage=category (http://support.skype.com/en_US/faq/FA35/What-can-I-do-when-I-experience-poor-sound-quality?frompage=category)
Good luck and...
Happy Mac'ing!
Dan