How to video conference for free, or almost

Here's how to save time and travel costs for meetings:  Have your meeting by video conference, using free audio software, Skype, which allows up to nine callers to talk for free as long as they want; and another free resource, Public Wiki, which permits multiple users to see the same web page on their respective computers and edit it as they speak.  Of course, this form of video-conferencing does not provide live images of the speakers, but it does permit them to talk online and work together on the same copy (say, a Word document, spreadsheet, etc.).

So, you're asking: How do I make this cheap video conferencing work for me?

Here are the steps:

1.  Download Skype and install it on your computer.

2.  Get the necessary hardware to listen and speak:

    a.  The best solution for clarity of sound is to purchase a headset with a mouthpiece attached.  (See picture below). usb_headset The most versatile headset connects to your computer by a USB port (see below). usb_port_connection Logitech sells this kind, but you can find other models too, at your local electronics store.

b.  If you already have speakers and a microphone which came with your computer, you can use these to talk on Skype.  Plug the microphone into the pink port in your computer (see picture at right, below). 

pink_port

3. After plugging in either the headset or the microphone, you will need to set your sound preferences to recognize the audio input.  In Windows, double click on "My Computer" in the Start Menu.  Then, click on "Control Panel".  Then, click on "Sounds Speech, and Audio Devices".  Then, click on "Voice".  Finally, under the "Voice Recording" setting, select your device (either the microphone or handset which you have already plugged in).  If you have a Mac, select "System Preferences" under the Apple Menu.  Then, click on "Sound", then "Input", and finally select the device you have plugged in.

4. Now launch Skype by double clicking on its icon, which should be on your Desktop after your having installed it.  Or, the icon will in any case be under the "all programs" selection in your Start Menu; or, if you are using a Mac, in your Applications folder.

5. Once Skype is running, double click on "Skype Test Call" in the Contacts menu.  Follow the instructions for recording and testing your setup.  If you have done everything well, you should hear the brief recording which you made.  If you don't hear it, go back and check your physical connections (the usb port or microphone jack), and recheck the settings you made in your audio input preferences.  Then run the Skype Test Call again.

6. Once you have Skype running, poke around in the program and find out how to set up a conference call for multiple users.  You will use this capacity later.

7. Next, go to Public Wiki and open a free wiki account there.  Once you have set up your free wiki, click on the link that gives you a tour. Accustom yourself to making some simple editorial changes on a wiki page.  Set a password for your wiki site, and issue that password to friends with whom you want to video conference, so that they can edit pages on the wiki too.  Ask them to practice editing some pages before you have your phone conference, so that everyone in the conference is capable of handling the visual aspects of your meeting.

Note:  the above steps work for users who have fast connections to the Internet, that is, either cable or DSL, or maybe even a blazing T connection!  Chances are, though, that some of your conferencers will have a dial-up connection via telephone modem.  In that case, your meeting won't be able to utilize the absolutely free Skype solution for audio, and you will have to set up a phone conference the old fashioned way, by arranging it with your local phone company.  Cheer up.  Prices for such conferences have come down.  The good news is that your dial-up conferencers should still be able to handle the visual aspects of your meeting, that is, consulting a wiki page and editing it, without too much delay in seeing their edits completed on screen.

This article written by TCDavis

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