Using Skype at GM/CA @ APS
Users doing experiments at GM/CA beamlines can use Skype for convenient communication
with their partners and users working remotely now have the option to communicate
with their beamline host using Skype.
Skype options when you are at GM/CA facilities
You may use Skype either on your personal laptop or launch the pre-configured
Skype account on Workstation-3.
- If you are using your personal laptop, keep in mind that connecting through
wireless and wired networks require different Skype settings:
- When connecting via the APS wireless network (preferred) Skype can be used
with default configuration.
- When connecting via the wired network, Skype needs to be configured via proxy.
The instructions how to setup proxy are available
here (this link is only available inside the APS). Alternatively browse to the APS web site and search there for "Skype".
- If you wish to use Skype installed on Workstation-3:
- Turn on the speakers bar and the microphone attached to WS3 (yes, they
are attached to Workstation-3 in spite of the fact that seem to lean more to
WS2!).
- Skype on WS3 is pre-configured to auto-login as gmca23i, gmca23o, or
gmca23b (depending on the beamline) for all user accounts. Do not logout
from Skype (!) because to log back in you would need the password that only
your host knows. Since Skype accounts are shared between all users of particular
beamline, hosts cannot disclose Skype passwords to users due to security
reasons.
- Be aware that Skype has a non-standard way of closing. Just clicking on
the right top corner of the main Skype window does not actually close Skype.
Instead, find the Skype icon in the system tray (the right corner of the
bottom panel on the computer screen), right-click on it and choose
"Quit". Do not logout from Skype before closing it!
- You can make Skype video calls on WS3 if you see a webcam attached to the top of WS3.
Skype calls to GM/CA @ APS
When skyping to GM/CA beamlines, please call names gmca23i, gmca23o, or
gmca23b, -- depending on the beamline. It will be a good idea to notify
your host in advance that you are planning to communicate via Skype because
by default the application is not started on WS3.
| Frequently Asked Questions: |
| Q: | I start Skype, but it cannot connect to the Skype server. |
| A: | It happens sometimes because Skype uses random ports and those
ports may occur outside of the firewall rules established for Skype. Try to close Skype
by right-clicking on the Skype icon at bottom of the screen and selecting "quit" and
then start over. Contact your host if does not help.
|
| Q: | I do not have sound in Skype. |
| A: |
- Make sure that you started Skype on ws3 (workstation-3)
- Make sure that both microphone and speakers are connected to the front of ws3
- Check that the speakers bar is turned on and the volume is high enough
- Check audio settings of your account on ws3: right-click on the speaker icon
on the desktop panel and choose "Sound Preferences". Verify that the preferences
look like this:
If you have webcam connected (check if
you see it on the top of WS3 monitor).
If you use a microphone standing on
the desk. The choice "Microphone 2" corresponds to connecting
the desk microphone to the front of WS3. Please note that the default is
"Microphone 1", which corresponds to the rear input of WS3.
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