Who Knew?

Who knew my laptop had a built in microphone? Not me. I still have no idea where it is located but it's there somewhere. There's no little icon indicating its presence, but apparently I have one. And that little bugger seems to have been the problem with my conference calling. Since both the laptop and the webcam that I was using had an audio recording function, it was creating static by interferring with each other. Through trial and error, Michael figured out that I have a default setting on my control pannel of my computer that I have to leave on--it's called soundmax hd audio. The other option is USB. Since I currently do not use headphone microphones, my best option is to use the soundmax. But I then need to make sure that I change the webcam setting to soundmax hd as well or I get static. I've discovered that I can not change the setting after the connection has been made--the static will only continue. So I need to make sure that it is on soundmax hd before I initiate a call. My control pannel will stay set at the soundmax default, but the webcam does not appear to have that ability.

As for my analysis of the 4 different platforms for what seems to work best between a PC and a mac:

1) Skype tops the list. The picture seems to be clear for both the PC and the mac user. The sound levels are easily adjustable and seem quite clear. Setting up through skype 1:1 is an easy taks. Once you've put someone in as a contact they are brought up as potential callee's which is nice since I'm getting lost in the wave of usernames with all the different logins we have to live with these days. It's hard enough remembering all of mine let alone someone else's username or address. Finally, the calling features are easily recognizable through familiar icons (at least to me--the old fashioned hand phone receiver is something my students have never had to use which makes me feel really old) The size of the video on the screen is also decent and you can enlarge if you choose. So overall, this seems to work the best under the given circumstances (my pc to a mac computer).

2) Tokvox is a nice program in that it allows you to set up for a video call, copy the url to that connection, and then invite someone to join you by just sending them the url. The other party does not have to register with tokvox in order to join you. So that's a nice feature. However, both of our screens were a little jumpy and pixalated. So we lost some clarity. When Michael and I tried it between our two PC's it seemed to work better. www.tokvox.com

3) Yahoo's messenger. I like this option. For a pc user, the icons are pretty understandable. This is my favorite IMing format as you can do games and draw pictures together. The first time Kirsten and I tried those features I nearly peed my pants from laughing so hard it was so much fun. Unfortunately the webcam features were not as good. The picture I was receiving was a little more grainy although the image being sent out apparently was all right. Sound was good. Process not too bad, although there seems to be more steps involved. You have to accept the image coming through and if your dialogue box doesn't self scroll you may miss it if you're not remembering to look for it. So it looses a few points in the ease category for me.

4) Aim's video calling feature. Seems to work perhaps better between two macs. But is also doable between a pc and mac. There are alot of extra functions and icons and gizmo deals with aim. The star-up screen is a little busy for me. When I first signed up for it I did the streaming music option as well. Found out quickly I did not like that feature. So had to go back to my control panel and delete the program after the fact.

My friend Deb visits with her sister Barb via ichat and that works really well for them. Had to throw that in since I was reviewing and since it really seems to be a good program. However since I have a pc it really isn't an option for me.

Some people at school have used webx.com for conference calling. It has come with mixed reviews. From what I've gathered it is an ok program to use if you are doing more of a presentational style conference. It allows you to talk and show data which is a nice feature. There is a fee to this program but comes with a free trial period.

Last year, when we were working directly with an educational company called lodestar, we discovered an error in their program and ended up working with one of their representatives on a program through "gotomeeting" which seemed to work really well. There's a fee for that one too, but it allows you remote access which was nice because that enabled them to send a patch for their software program without needing the software. Of course, as an instructor I wouldn't need such access, but thought I'd include gotomeeting.com in my reivew anyway.

So that's what I've learned on sabbatical this week in terms of video calling. Perhaps you now know a little more too.