Skype Tips

If you’ve never used Skype before, or even if you have and just want some pointers, here’s how we use Skype.

1. Buy a microphone.  Getting a headset mic is the best bet, because it eliminates all the background noise that disturbs our thought processes.

1. Download Skype. You can get Skype from here.

2. Install Skype.  Pretty straightforward.

3. Add “sheldon.norton” (no quotes) to your Skype contact list.  Sheldon is the head honcho of the Canon Discussion.  He’ll call you to add you to the Discussion when we get started.

4. Check your microphone volume levels.  Depending on what operating system you use, this will be located in different places.  You’ll want to make sure that your levels are loud enough for us to hear you, yet not too loud.  Try recording a short clip of your voice to test your levels.

5. Call “echo123″ (no quotes) in Skype.  The echo123 username is a testing robot controlled by the people who run Skype.  A woman with a British accent will tell you to speak for a little bit after the beep.  When you hear a second beep, stop speaking, and your speech will be played back.  If the audio sounds satisfactory, end the call, and don’t touch anything in your settings.