skype stuff

How to install Skype.

How to join a Skypecast.

How to hook up your headset.

Skype Protocols
Before participating in a scheduled SkypeCast it’s important that you understand a few basic expectations and protocols. Following these protocols will enable all participants in the SkypeCast to have the best possible experience.

THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOUR FIRST SCHEDULED SKYPECAST

1) Make sure you have installed Skype.
2) Make sure you have made at least one Skype call. That call can either be a SkypeOut call (to a land line or cell phone… free if made in US or Canada until December 31, 2006).
3) Make sure you can hear what people are saying and that you can be heard (that is, make sure your headset it setup correctly).
4) Make sure you know where the MUTE button is on your head set or on your laptop/PC.
5) Make sure you have participated in at least one SkypeCast. You can try this on your own, by participating in any SkypeCast that’s available. OR, you can participate in Fielding Virtual/Distributed Cluster TEST Sessions that are run by Skye Evangelists from Fielding. Times for those sessions will be posted on the Felix Forum for the Virtual/Distributed Cluster’s Forum.

Please note that it will probably be obvious that you haven’t completed these steps, so we really encourage you to complete this preparation in order that all participants in a scheduled SkypeCast might have a satisfactory experience.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT A SKYPECAST

SkypeCasts are not private. That means that anyone can drop in, if they know the SkypeCast is running. So… we will be minimizing the possibility of drop ins by limiting the window in which the SkypeCast is available. We will keep the SkypeCast open from 5 minutes before its published start time until 20 minutes after its scheduled start time.

If for some reason you don’t get in during this window, contact the host (via Skype Chat) and let them know. If it’s possible, we’ll reopen the session.

Each SkypeCast has a host/moderator. That person has the responsibility for monitoring who’s in the SkypeCast, to ask uninvited guests to exit and to otherwise manage the environment.

Our protocol during the Check In and Check Out portions of our meeting is to mute everyone’s microphone and recognize each person as they raise their hand to Check In or Check Out. This meant to give each person the floor, not to discourage conversation. We just want to make sure the conversation happens after a person has had a chance to speak.

SkypeCasts for the Distributed/Virtual Cluster will be recorded, unless there is a serious objection. The recordings will be posted to the Virtual Cluster blog or other private site, for the use of Virtual Cluster members. This will allow those who cannot attend to find out what we have been doing and will provide an archive of our activities, for posterity!

If you have an objection to the call being recorded, please make that objection known at the beginning of the SkypeCast session.