2-way VoIP Using WebEx
All of our classrooms are now two way WebEx VoIP compatible.

The first time you join a WebEx meeting using VoIP, do not say "OK" to participating in the integrated VoIP session. Close that box, by saying "No." Go up to the menu bar in WebEx, click on "Communicate," then click on the "Audio Setup Wizard". Be sure to choose the playback and record devices that you are using, and follow the wizard step by step, checking what you hear and how your mic sounds.  Uncheck "Automatic Gain Control" and "Acoustic Echo Cancellation" on the second to the last page of the wizard.

Once that is successful, go up to the menu bar and click on communicate again, then click on "Integrated VoIP" and join.

When you join class in the future with the same computer, you can simply say "OK" to the window that pops up asking if you wish to join VoIP.

There is a maximum of 8 open mics at a time, that is a restriction placed on the application by WebEx. So the first 8 people in get the open mics, and those that join after must "raise their hand" (a symbol in the WebEx participant list), or chat to us over WebEx and ask for a mic to be passed to them.

Skype US
Direct your web page to www.skype.com . To begin your download, click the link that says "Download Skype." You will be directed to a page that gives instructions for downloading Skype, and a window will pop-up prompting you to "Run," "Save" or "Cancel." Choose "Run."

After the installer has been downloaded, another window will open. Make sure that English is the language, then read the license agreement and accept it by clicking the checkbox next to it. You can also click the "Options" button and make sure the settings that you want are checked and the settings you do not want are un-checked. Click "Install."

On the next page, you will be prompted to install the Google Toolbar. Just uncheck the box and click "Install" again. On the next window, click "Finish."

You can now open Skype on your computer. Enter the information required to create your account and click "Next." Now enter your e-mail address and click "Sign In."

A window will pop-up with instructions for testing your audio settings and setting up Skype. Click "Start." Follow the given instructions by calling the Skype Test Call contact. If you do not hear any audio, or your microphone does not appear to be working, change your settings within Skype to select the proper devices.

Now that your equipment is all working, you should be able to click the Dial or Call Phones tab in your Skype window and dial 1-866-469-3239 to reach WebEx Phone Conferencing. (It may say at the bottom of your screen that you need to buy Skype Credit to make calls to ordinary phones, but since this is an 866 number, it is free, and you should not need to have any money in your account.) You can either dial by clicking the numbers on the number pad that shows up on the screen or typing it in the text box and hitting enter. The voice will prompt you to enter an access code or meeting number followed by #, you can click back to the Dial tab from the Call tab and enter the number for your class. Next, you will be prompted to enter the attendee ID number, should you not know the attendee ID, just press # to continue. You should now be entered into your conference.

Skype International
NOTE: Skype is not completely reliable and you must also check the laws of your country concerning internet VoIP.

If you want to use Skype and are dialing within the US click here for instructions.

Instructions for students outside the US dialing into our toll-free conference using Skype
For those who have not had a chance to familiarize themselves with Skype, I give the following more detailed procedure:

1). Set up your computer with speakers and a microphone, or -- much to be preferred, a simple computer headset with earphone and microphone. You must have some means of being able to "mute" the microphone when you are not talking.

2). Go to http://www.skype.com and download and install the software where it says "Download Skype."

3). Where it says " Use SkypeOut to call from Skype to traditional landlines or mobiles." Select this and then go to "Buy Skype Credit" and go through the procedure to use your credit card to purchase the minimum amount (about 10 euros). You will not actually be charged when you dial up the US 866 number, but you still must have some money in your account. You can use up the money later in calling other people using Skype for very reasonable rates.

4). With the Skype program running, and the "Dial" window selected (see picture), enter 001-866-469-3239 on your computer keyboard using the number keys. You will see the number appear just above the call icon in the dialing window.

Hit the "Call" icon (green button, lower left of the Skype window) to execute the dial.

5). You should see the Skype window display the window below, while the connection to the US phone line is being made (the number shown in the picture is the way it appears on my screen -- yours will be slightly different).

6). After the phone call is answered and you hear the lady's voice saying "Welcome to WebEx...", please enter your access code or meeting number followed by #. Next voice prompt, "please enter your attendee ID number, if you don't know your attendee ID just press # to continue," using the telephone-look-alike keypad in the Skype dialing window (see picture) and your mouse, not your keyboard keys.

There should be a pause followed by a brief message stating "meeting number accepted and you will now be placed in to the conference." You should then hear either the music, a message stating "you are the first participant to join the meeting" (if you call too early -- but at least, this tells you it is working!), or you will hear other students or the Professor on the conference call.

Here are the simple basics for class-time:

Join the WebEx session as you normally would, BUT DO NOT SELECT "YES" WHEN PROMPTED TO START THE "INTERNET PHONE" FEATURE OF WEBEX.

Then follow instructions 4-6 above to join the class conference.

Remember: Don't let the microphone be too close to your mouth -- causes distortion ('fuzziness") of the audio. MUTE the microphone when you are not speaking for any length of time.