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Skype Conference Call - Sunday November 6th, 2011

You're invited to attend a Skype conference call for CBN members!

When: Sunday, November 6^th – 3pm EST

Where: Online using free Skype software

The primary purpose of this call is to give newer builders and players a chance to talk to a live person who may be able to answer their questions. Some questions are easier explained verbally than trying to communicate back and forth via a computer forum. Members often have questions about scale length, or tuning, or which strings to use. This would give them a chance for some real time question and answer.

We will hopefully have a handful of more experienced members of Cigar Box Nation on hand to answer questions or give guidance.

What do I need to participate?

A computer with a sound card and a headset with a microphone. You could do it on a laptop with a built in mic, you just need to watch out for feedback

An Internet connection.

Skype free voice over IP software installed on your PC. You can get Skype at www.skype.com.

A free Skype account.

What do I do once I have all of the above?

Some time before the date of the call, sign into Skype and make sure your sound card and mic/speakers are functioning correctly.

Join the Skype group and post your Skype ID so we can add you to the list: "http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/cbn_on_skype

What do I do on the day of the call?

Five to ten minutes before the call is scheduled to begin, sign into Skype, and find my user name in your contact list.

Right click on my user name and choose “Send IM”.

Send me a quick message that says basically, “(Your user name) is here.” That way I will know that you are in the call and what your name is.

How do I ask a question?

If you have a question to ask, simply send me another 1 word IM that says simply, “question”.

I will try to take the questions in the order they were asked.

Once the question is asked, I will either answer it myself or hand it off to one of our “experts” to answer.

Frequently Asked Question:

Q: I have another VOIP program besides Skype, can't I use MSN or Yahoo instead?

A: No. I am the most familiar with Skype, I know the sound quality is good, and that it has conference call ability. I have had problems with other programs in the past, so I really prefer to stick with what I know.

Q: Can I join the call from my smart phone or iPhone?

A: Maybe, I am not sure. I have heard that some people are able to do that, but I don't know how that would work.

Q: I don't have any questions, can I just listen in?

A: Absolutely! Just please mute your microphone to eliminate any background noise.

Q: I am busy and can't make it to this call. Will you be having another one?

A: Possibly, it depends on how well this one goes and if there is enough interest. We could hold one monthly if there was a demand.

Q: Can't you change the date/time of the call?

A: We have members from many countries, in many many time zones. It is impossible to find a day or time that meets everyone's schedules. The time I chose makes it possible for people in time zones from GMT -8, to GMT +2 to attend without it being too early or too late. There is not much I can do with places like Australia that are 12-14 hours ahead or behind the US time zones.

Q: Can someone else host one of these calls?

A: Sure they can. The only requirement would be that they have sufficient Internet bandwidth.

Q: How many people can attend the call?

A: Attendance is limited to 25 people, the host and 24 others. This is a restriction of Skype. I don't think we would want many more than that anyway.

Q: I don't have a broadband connection. Can I attend the call if I am using a dialup connection?

A: Yes you can. Skype does not require a broadband connection and, barring any other connection issues, you should be able to use Skype just fine. Just make sure you don't have any other programs running that would eat up your bandwidth.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on October 22, 2011 at 3:35am

Hi Dan.

Count me in. I'm looking forward to it.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on October 29, 2011 at 10:53pm

Bump. This is a great opportunity for some of the new builders to ask questions and get help. It is also a chance for "experienced" builders and players to swap information. And, it's free!!

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Permalink Reply by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on October 30, 2011 at 1:22am

I took part in the first one. From memory we had about fourteen or fifteen people (could be wrong about that) and there was a mix of experience builders (also specialists in making pickups etc.) and players/teachers and also people who were fairly new to this (like me). The discussion flowed really well and the time just flew by. I learned a lot from that one.

If you are free at this time I am sure you will find it fascinating and very valuable, and as Dan says, it's free.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on October 30, 2011 at 11:02am

If anyone is planning on attend the call, please make sure that we have your Skype ID so we can invite you to the call when the time comes.

Please join the Skype goup here:

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/cbn_on_skype

and post your Skype ID.

Thanks

Dan

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on November 4, 2011 at 12:02am

This Sunday is the day!!

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Permalink Reply by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on November 4, 2011 at 1:43pm

Hi Dan.

Several people have joined the Skype group over the last few days, but only a few have given their Skype username. As you say, we need this for those people to be included in the conference call.

All the best.

John

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on November 6, 2011 at 12:44am

The call is this afternoon at 3pm, EST. I hope lots of folks will join us!

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Permalink Reply by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on November 6, 2011 at 7:30am

3pm EST is 8pm GMT (for the UK) and 9pm for most of western Europe.

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Permalink Reply by mark "mudcat" quigley on November 6, 2011 at 9:52am

i hate skype. i can never get on. it never recognizes my username or password. i uninstall it, then redo everything. it hates me.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on November 6, 2011 at 10:02am

LOL!

mark "mudcat" quigley said:

i hate skype. i can never get on. it never recognizes my username or password. i uninstall it, then redo everything. it hates me.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on November 6, 2011 at 11:26am

The Skype call has concluded. We had 8-10 people at various times, and it went really well. Some good ideas were exchanges, questions were answered, and much jocularity ensued.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by, it was great to chat with all of you.