Category: Geeks r Us
Just a note.
If you’ve updated Skype lately and lost your sounds, they need to be turned up using Windows 7 and 8.
My method
Press insert F11 to bring up the systems tray.
Next arrow down to your speakers, and hit enter.
Next open volume mixer and tab down to check the volume levels on things.
You’ll need to have Skype open so it shows up.
You’ll find 2 Skype level sections. One is for the calls, the other is for sounds
It is an interesting deal, because you can lower the message sound so they aren’t as intrusive when on a call, or just using the computer for other task.
I’ve also gotten the message that the desktop version will stop working in December. I emailed Skype about that. I also put my complaint on the community board.
The Metro version of Skype for Windows 8 is not accessible yet, so we’ll see what they’ve cooked up. They’ll need something for Windows 7 as well.
That is silly that the desktop version won't work. how is that different than say a laptop version?
I don't like a lot of the things that have changed with the new update
like
how while someone is typing to you it makes keyboard clicks and you can't turn it off,
and
how the time and date is on in your message history and you can't turn that off either.
I also don't like how while going through your contacts it says all that junk that I don't care to see like if they are skype or facebook contact and their user name, all before the mood. I rather hear the mood before all of that.
I am not impressed with the new skype but I hear they are going to fix a few of these things with the next update.. IDK.
Explain more what you mean by these things?
Message history can be deleted, or you can set Skype to not keep it at all.
The other I'm not sure what you mean?
Desktop version is no different from Laptop. If you have Windows 8 you have a Metro version, or the app.
how while someone is typing to you it makes keyboard clicks and you can't turn it off,
and
how the time and date is on in your message history and you can't turn that off either.
I did not say anything about deleting message history. what i mint was that when sending a message to someone it says the date and time stamp for the messages and i don't want to see it. i have tried to turn it off but it won't go off.
I have gone through the settings and used f2. niether works.
My point with the laptop version was that if they got rid of it, then won't most or a lot of people who uses skype not be able to use it unless they have some other device? I use my skype primarily on my PC and secondary on my macbook erre and rarely on my Iphone5S.
How many of us are rushing out to buy a new windows 8??? I don't see them flying off the shelves. So why do this?
When i am in the window waiting on a response I hear clicking sounds that memics the other person typing. It use to let me change the settings to not have to listen to it but that, like with the time and date stamp, won't let me turn it off. Niether one will go off even if I check the off switch in settings.
if you do jaws v in a Skype chat window you can turn off the typing clicks
yeah, no matter what you do, when you look in the chat window, the time stamp is always gonna be there after the message, and there is absolutely no way to turn it off. pluss, I have been told, for those that use skype talking like I do, after the end of this year, unless it is updated, it will no longer work with skype. from what I red, they will be retireing the desktop client API and will be asking developers to use there u r i's or something like that to make there own skype powered sollution. they said the reason why they are retireing it at the end of this year is because the desktop API client doesn't support mobil development.
thanks for the clicking. I can handle the time and date stamp but the clicks were mind numbing.
that doesn't make sense. ok so their gonna stop support of the desktop client even though they are continuing to release updates? i just dont see it.
Okay first the time stamps.
To turn it off.
First alt T for settings.
Arrow up once to options and hit enter.
Arrow down 16 settings to IM and SMS appearance and leave it there, don’t hit enter.
Tab 3 times to show time stamps next to messages and uncheck it.
Tab down to okay.
Now in Jaws Verbosity settings you have both the typing sounds and show times stamps as well.
To set these.
Press Insert V on a desktop layout or in the laptop layout caps lock V. You’ll hear, adjust Jaws options.
This opens up a menu for Jaws.
Arrow down to the setting you want to change, and stop there.
Tab until you find execute and that setting is changed.
Now on the typing sounder you’ll have to do it 5 times before you get to the off position.
Example, I open the Jaws settings, I arrow down to typing sounder, and it will say a number. In my case 1.
I stop and tab until I find execute, and hit enter.
The next time I look it says 2, so I keep repeating it until I hear off.
Now all the things you didn’t like are fixed.
I am hoping Microsoft has a solution for us. I will report that when I know it.
The reason I think maybe so, is Skype has become more and more accessible with each version. Even Freedom Scientific has added support for Jaws so while the scripts make it easier to use, they aren't required. On the iPhone with Voice Over, it is much better with the latest version as well.
It is on the releses notes when you install it JH. You get a message for a few times you start it about this change.
Maybe they'll stop calling it the desktop version, because with each new update it becomes more friendly for mobile devices, and the desktop version has changed to look and act just like the app version sort of.
It is interesting.
forereel
I have done that withthe the time stamps and it still shows them..
ok, so if they killed the desktop version, what about people who dont use a mobile device to access Skype?
um..., so let me get this straight, Microsoft will be killing off the desktop application soon? Parden me if I sound like there is win blowing through my ears I just want to get my facts straight. So, we are clear as well, 1. add aback the search bar like windows7 has, put the "all apps" or :all programs" back on the start screen and quit shoving a moble desktop hybrid down our throats, then I will kill off win7 on my bootcamp.
Nicki. I will check.
Another thing I noticed, is without the scripts on a laptop that doesn't have a full keyboard, so set to desktop, I can't get to the menu with caps loc V, but I can if I run the scripts.
I am talking about the menu to change the Jaws behavior..
Nicki, how about the clicks, did that go away for you?
This is not wind blowing through our ears, or not mine anyway. I had on a headset when I heard something like "in dec 2013 your desktop version will no longer be active. We are working hard to make Skype more compatible for computers and mobile devices."
That message came up a few times after I updated, but I haven't seen it anymore.
It also invited me to click here for more information.
I clicked, and read more. Smile.
that's the same message that I saw as well. I haven't gotten it either. and when I used skype on the mac side of things, I never got it. it was only when I was using xp is when I ended up getting it
Odd. I am using NVDA and I don't hear any keyboard clicks. As for the time stamps, I don't even read that far into the messages to hear them. And as for the desktop client, Microsoft has been known for doing bad shit to good things.
Those keyboard clicks are with Doug Lee's scripts for JAWS. If you use JAWS 15 you don't need those anymore for basic use, though if you are doing a lot of his advanced stuff you will want them. It reads incoming notifications and chats and all of that now, I noticed.
yeah. they have been for sure. I mean, you have to remember, there are people who arn't as lucky as some people are, that don't have mobil devices, only a desktop or a laptop weather it be mac or windows or hell even linucks for that matter too that will be left out in the cold. I don't think people using gw connect will be effected, but it's too early to know any of that anyway.
No, you don't need the scripts, but they make navigation easier.
The clicks are there so you can tell when a person's typing, so you don't over run them.
Nicki, I did all I suggested, and I couldn't get rid of the time stamps either. I never really wanted to, just wrote up my suggestions technically. The clicks sure, I can turn it down or off.
Are there add-ons for NVDA? I ditch GW Connect because of Dynamic Buna.
Skype 6.9 is supposed to officially now support NVDA. Go to Tools | Options | Advanced and check the Accessibility check box. NVDA and Narrator are both said to work now with that version, from their site:
How do I turn on the accessible mode in Skype for Windows desktop?
Should give you the basics of what you need to know for this, probably NVDA's site may have some information. But they didn't mention an add-on at least for basic support.
I saw that option. It doesn't appear to do much, though. Just saying.
What is a good Skype package for Linux?
no idea. as for NVDA, skype talking will still be the best to use with skype and NVDA. I like the fact that nvda can read the messages, but, you must be in a focused windo in order for them to be read. also, there is no hotkey you can hit to cause NVDA to read them back if you mist anything. that's why skype talking is still prefered. as far as gw connect goes, I ditcht it as well, because a nagging mick issue that I keep having with it, since I have to use a u s b mick on my mac. the problem is, it keeps automaticly lowering the volume until it gets at like 0, and then people tell me that they think they have lost me, and I have to go into the mick settings under windows and turn the damn thing back up again, only for it to be turned back to 0 from time to time. it's very annoying, and because I am using xp there is no work around to fix this.
Without the hot key for chats, just shift tab to the history list and use your arrow keys or home and end to review the messages. The hot keys JAWS gives are not necessary screen reading functions, they are convenience. But the information is still easily accessiblt to you if you must use NVDA.
i've found the best thing is to leave my volume control open when I use GW connect.
this way i can switch my recording controls from mike to line in, since i have a mixer and run my mick into my mixer which connects to the line-in of my sound card.
this i is a bit of a pain since i tend to forget to leave the volume controls open. however i hear there is soemthing called quickmix which i haven't tried. this c could make it easier for those of us running GW connect under windows XP. as i understand it, quickmix let's you set a hotkey for restoring your volume controls to default
GW Connect was a very huge processor hog, which was a second reason as to why I left it in the dirt. At any rate, it was a good program.
I do believe I got the clicks off. I having been on skype lately since I have been playing more with my new 5S. I tend to skype more on the weekends too so I will know more this weekend.
I have jaws 13 and am not planning to up grade. They want $400 I am not willing to pay since I am switching everyting to my mac. I am on a desktop that is a pain in my rear and will not spend money to get a laptop or new desktop...
I also am using scrips from dlee.org
Thanks...
Skype on that new 5S is really something. Give it a try.
Must be. Even on my 4S it is great.
I really love using Skype on the 5S. Do, give it a go. You'll truly be amazed.
It is IOS 7 that makes the difference, not the 5S 64 bits. I've not gotten to see anything kick ass yet. I'll need to get some glasses so when they start releasing these high octane games. Lol
I really loved 7 on my 4S but didn't have access to the latest Skype when I traded.
It actually has great accessibility this go round. Wonder how long it'll stay?
I read someplace it will remain that way. App providers are really trying.
I'm hoping this follows for the computer version.
Infact, I was always impressed with Skype on my iPhone. It has been really good.
I've heard complaints from 2011 until 2012, when Skype I think was migrating or broke something, not sure which.
for a while, yes, it was broken. it always was hanging and things. now, it's all good. I use it when i'm not at home or if a thundertorm is around the area and I have eveyrhting shut down
I do like it on my 5S but i rather use it on my PC because I am doing other things I would rather do on my PC like playing games and ETC... I don't care to be on skype much on my iphone...
but I do agree it is nice on it, when it is preferable.
Do you have to reload Skype to see contact requests? They don't seem to come in like instant messages, but rather, I find I have to restart Skype to see them.
If you mean on the phone, I've never had one at that time, so can't say.
On the computer, mine come up in a separate window, and make a sound.
I have the scripts running. Before that, it was difficult to find the contact request at willfor me. Restarting would do it.
I haven't had enough of them to say what works or doesn't, but for me with the scripts, it is easy.
Yeah. I'd use the JAWS and stuff, but my computer appearently can't handle JAWS. i've discovered that it will show up in all contacts, under the computer. Not sure as to why I have to restart the iOS app.
byour computer cant handle jaws? woah. how old is it?
It's from 2011. I mean it literally can't handle JAWS. The last time I used JAWS, the system froze and I had to hard restart. Never again.
that shouldnt' be. my computers are both from 2006 and bothhandle jaws just fine.
bwhat kinda processor and how much ram do you have?
I have a gig of ram, and dual core processors from Intel.
it should work.
although having 2 or more gigs would be nice it should work.
i have only single core processors (one with HT threading), 4 gigs of ram. both my processors are from Intel
too.
If it is an adam processor, more ram is required to make it run smoother. Intel has some. This is a net book I'm guessing? Most net books can run Jaws though.
Nah, it's not a book. It's a full-sized laptop, but it can't pull JAWS's weight for whatever reason. Hell, it bearly works with Internet Explorer.
hmm. very odd.
The irony is that it'll run Skype like a champ. It should be in reverse: if it can't run IE, then surely Skype would be too much. That's just my logic.
hey dude just a thought... have you tried running jaws after you got rid of the malware? that can play all kinds of fun shit with your box.
also, you are the one that uses norton, right? have you tried turning off that hog and running jaws?
I am not sure how to turn it off. It appears to just sit there out of sight and pop up from random. It doesn't show up in running applications in Task Manager, nor on the System Tray.
yeah, norten is probably the worst pc hog ever. seriously. msse does the job.
As low powered as this PC is Norton might not be the program to use.
You'd need to put it in your systems trey to turn it off that way.
I can't. I've no control of the interface.
You can. It is not inside Norton.
You do it under notifications. Do you know what I mean?
I saw it. My mom has to renew the fucking key, I want to kick Norton out the damn door. My computer's been running much better since the key ran out.
My new job involves using Skype, and am feeling a little intimidated by it. Haven't used it in like 8-9 years, so what is the best thing to do for newbies?
Kate
what screen reader are you using?
JAWS 14
do you want to use skype or the GW connect app?
i'd download dug lees scrips from:
http://www.dlee.org/skype/
give it a shot and see what you think.
if not, you could use GW connect found at:
http://www.gwmicro.com/App_Central/Apps/App_Details/?scriptid=1353
Lots of topics on Skype.
With the latest version, you don't actually need the scripts, but they are best.
Check the boards, because you can find total instruction. If you have any questions after that post.
jaws14 didn't come with skype scripts by default , did it ?
in Jaws15, there are s scripts for skype. Is the scripts that ship with jaws15 the same as the one o found on dug's site?
Jaws 14 had some help for Skype. Jaws 15 works better, but the scripts you posted are still the best and work fully.
You can get along without, but having them is just best.
Thanks for the headsup! Should I install Skype on my own PC and play around with it, or is it pretty self-explanatory?
up to you, but if you wanna install Skype on your own PC and give it a shot, go for it
I'd install it and get use to it.
It is like any program you learn, and no, it is not self explaining, not for the blind, anyway.
You have keystrokes that help, such as answering a call. How you setup makes it better.
It is not hard. The more information you have, the less your learning curve. When you download the scripts, read the help file that will tell you much about setup, and control.
I can private send you help files, or look them up here and post the page links.
I haven't tried, but I'll bet if you put Skype in the search box here, you'll find the information I'm talking about.
Many of us have posted, asked questions.
Again, I'd be happy to share what I have.
Good luck.
Thanks guys, got skype up and running. Question: How can I tell if someone has tried to add me to skype?
Kate
It makes a sound. It also is on your alerts list.
If you have it set so that it is in the compact view, it will come up in a separate window.
Press Alt V and arrow down. If you hear default vview you are good, if not hit inter to change it if it says compact view.
I have changed the view from compact to default... but still don't see an Alerts list
You want compact, not default.
The alert comes up when someone adds you, and when you start Skype it shows.
If you have a problem, just ask them to let you add them instead.
I'll return with how to see it, but I'll have to get someone to send me an invite. Lol
It is one of these things I do without thinking about how. "get the invite, accept it." Lol
LOL no worries; I will make it compact again. hahaha
Okay. If you miss the sound and someone has invited you, you should see the message as a regular message.
If you have the scripts installed press control +number 2.
That takes you to the list of messages or conversations.
Arrow down and when you see the person press the applications key, or if using Jaws and you don’t have one shift F10.
Arrow to add to contacts.
If you wish to see what message they sent with the invite, just select send IM and the separate window will open just like a conversation.
Pressing alt 1 2 3 will show you the conversation lines if there are more than one.
If you are on Skype, and have the compact view set, when they send the invite it will be in a separate window.
You go to that window and tab until you find the add to contacts.
If you should close that window, you’ll find them the first way.
The alerts I was talking about doesn’t work well.
But if you go to home, and that opens in a separate window, and tab down you’ll see the alerts link.
Hope that helps you. If you need more information say.