Art's Skype problems - possible approach

[GravitySucks]

Not sure how many Skype lines Art is comfortable with monitoring, but maybe he could split up MITD into MITDEAST,MITDWEST, MITDMIDDLE, AND MITDCANADA

I thought about using MITD<state_abbrev> like MITDTX and MITDNV.

(Heather), make something like that happen.

[eddie dean]

Not sure how many Skype lines Art is comfortable with monitoring, but maybe he could split up MITD into MITDEAST,MITDWEST, MITDMIDDLE, AND MITDCANADA

I thought about using MITD<state_abbrev> like MITDTX and MITDNV.

(Heather), make something like that happen.

It's probably limited by the hardware.  There are only so many Mixer channels, inputs/outputs & soundcards.
I'd guess he is running at, or close to capacity with the curent setup.
He can probably add a few more phone lines without issue.

[AppealPlay]

Skype is okay, I guess, but it sounds...weird.  Maybe I'm just used to regular phone calls.

[albrecht]

My two cents? The callers? Problems expects as usual and as in the past. But for the guests (who likely can sell some books, youtubes, ebooks, conferences, etc off the show or at least bring attention to their theories and beliefs) should think ahead, a bit? Unless overseas in a questionable country simply USE A LANDLINE! If they don't have a landline? Go to a hotel, a neighbor, visit your parents (they will be happy to see you,) etc. Heck, I don't know the budget (I imagine running lean like any new program) but even the show, maybe if an important/good guest, should book them a room a a cheap hotel room or even, as a sponsor(?,) a Super 8 or something. (Ensure no charges on mini-bar or late check-out though!) Landlines still exist, and for guests, and would help ensure a better connection.

[GravitySucks]

I am talking about the sheer number of callers on MITD51 that keep causing his Skype to lock up

[albrecht]

I am talking about the sheer number of callers on MITD51 that keep causing his Skype to lock up

Gotcha. Sorry I don't know this Skype stuff, I was more concerned with guest lines and just assume as normal there will be frequent bad connection issues with callers (whether Skype, cell, landline, speakerphone, or other wise. Can't one just tap on the phone and say "operator, operator....")

[cweb]

One potential downfall is it would take up a bit of time for him to plug "MITDEAST, MITDCANADA" and so on when he gives the numbers out.

One way around might be to just plug a web page that has the Skype accounts listed.

Are there any Skype queuing programs out there?

[stevenotero]

At this point, to me, Skype is a bonus.

I'm okay with a guest being on Skype, but I'm not exactly a fan of callers being on Skype. It is jarring to hear the callers close to the same audio quality as the host. (I know it's a strange stance to take, but I've listened to enough Talk Radio in my young lifetime to be jarred by it.)

What I have a problem with is the number of people that don't understand how to talk into a microphone at all. They're either too far away or too close lol

[Dyna-X]

Well before doing any splitting, a constructive question for Art is which skype line is overloading. (MITD51, MITD55 or both?) It sounded to me like the Skype platform in general had crashed.  One solution could be to have a third laptop connected to his backup service provider for one of the lines if he does do a split, and hopfully that would leave enough line spots open on his TELOS phone where he actually picks up the call...I don't know enough about his overall setup, but know enough about it might not be as easy as a split.