congaplace.com

Anybody interested in having a lesson, giving one, or just sharing both ways through skype?
I just got it downloaded and working on my new Macbook Pro. I wanted something that would work seamlessly between the PC and Mac platforms without the headache of joining something nasty like yahoo or Microslop, and have no charge. My dad, who has a PC, and I were able to successfully have a a video conference, so I know it works fine.
If you don't have it and you want it, just go to skype.com and get the one for your platform. You'll need a minicam if you have a PC, and the Mac of course works with what it has built in.
My skype name is windhorsey, so you can add me to your contact list.

This could really come in handy when you want to show someone how something sounds when you play it x or y way,, or what you mean when you write something this or that way,, or if you want to show off your new thingy.. etc..

Dave

Skype is a great program and this is a really good idea.

Alright Myk, let's skype!

Dave

Myk, I'm glad you connected even though you haven't gotten a minicam yet.
We had a conversation about his travels out to San Diego and meeting up with Derbeno and some other really good percussionists. How the Mule-skin played, and getting a 4 hour lesson from a great player. Cool stuff!
Skype's nice since you don't have to pay long distance charge for talking to another who uses the program.. Think about it,,, hands free, talking to your computer, while you do other stuff, and free.. Pretty nice even if you don't use the video feature.

I look forward to sharing some rhythms when you get a cam CongaMyk.
The rest of you guys really should jump on this great way to communicate!
Dave

Mike thanks a bunch for the lyrics and video clip! I'm going to work on that song. Good stuff!
Hey, if you don't want to throw down the $75 for a new mini-cam, I can ship you my old one from my last PC.
I've got a few songs you might want to learn over clave if you like. I probably have some time on Sunday.

I'm heading out to get a video cam this weekend and I'm going high-end.

Dave thanks for the "online" jam session, Skype is a great program.
If anyone wants to add me I'm "mmillerkc"

I added both you guys. I'm accringtonbonsai.

anyone else use skype?

you don't have to do video - you can just do audio only if you like.

Last night I video chatted with a gal that lives in Ontario Canada. We shared some rhythms and some songs, and generally caught up on each others lives. I met her through another drum list at tribe.net a few years ago, and we've been keeping up via e-mails that whole time. So, it was pretty neat to see each other in video and what and how we play.
One of the things we tried which people might find interesting, is playing with the other person through the vid conference. Of course there's a delay, as you might expect. About 1 1/2 seconds I'd estimate. So, clave from one and drums from another is out of the question.. But, then we tried tresillo and the other playing the hocket, and I think it worked because of maybe the delay being just the right amount of time to loop back around to the correct spot.. Something probably only a nerd like me would find interesting.
It turns out that she has a GREAT voice, and she's also interested in some of the folkloric Cuban that I'm learning, so we'll probably do some online collaboration.

Also, a friend who lives close by, and one of my main teachers for many years, has just gotten skype loaded on his computer. This will be see nice for us to now share short little things between our longer rumba sessions. Good for that homework you'd like focus on so that when you show up to the next rumba, you've got the part nailed down.

Finally, our next bata lesson is next Saturday. I'd like to invite anyone interested,, Mike and Richard and anyone else to maybe see how many can join us in Eric's living room for our lesson. I've not yet tried to add one more than one skype chatter at a time, so I can't promise anything,, but we'll be starting up about 12 noon GMT +7 on Saturday, Feb 28th.
Look above in the thread to get the nicknames of the three of us who're already involved.

Mebeam supports up to 16 skype users on video chat. In case anyone's interested.
http://blog.mebeam.com/2008/08/skype-video-con.html

Dave

I may have a use for video conferencing in the near future.

However, Skype is owned by eBay... and since eBay went and deliberately screwed up their website (and the business of those who depended on it), I am on a permanent, lifelong boycott of ANYTHING that eBay has a hand in.... so, my question is--

Are there any decent alternatives to Skype?

Sorry to hear of your decision based on an emotional correlation.
There's always Yahoo, AOL, and Windows Messengers..

Whopbamboom wrote:I may have a use for video conferencing in the near future.

However, Skype is owned by eBay... and since eBay went and deliberately screwed up their website (and the business of those who depended on it), I am on a permanent, lifelong boycott of ANYTHING that eBay has a hand in.... so, my question is--

Are there any decent alternatives to Skype?

There are other messengers, but none work as well as Skype does.
Also consider that it's FREE - you are using thier resources up and not paying for it.
You'll actually be sticking it to the man! (eBay)

It's not an emotional correlation. It's logical. I lost a lot of money directly because of their recent policy changes, and they will not be getting another red cent from me as long as I live. This board is really not the place to try to discuss it in detail, though.

Thanks to all who offered up alternatives. I'll check into them when I need to use something. Skype will not be an option for me.

Your problem with eBay is irrelevant to the thread.

To others - Skype is free and once you try it, you'll see what a cool program it is.
I found out about it when my daughter was studying in Egypt this fall.
Free and perfectly clear audio and video (if you choose) conferencing.
It's like YouTube in real-time