-=YabberCast=-

Hello, YC!!

I have for you all a proposition! This post may be a little on the long side, but I urge you to take the time to read it because it could be a wonderful opportunity to enrich our community here. :)

Before I expand on the idea, I must introduce all of you who aren't already familiar with it, to a wonderful program called Skype. Skype is essentially an advanced instant-messenging program which also allows its users to transform their computers into virtual telephones. The instant messenging capabilities function just like any of the other major names like Yahoo and AIM and MSN. Skype's messenger is fully-deatured and has a nice, user-friendly interface.

More important though, is Skype's Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) function which allows you to use it just like a landline phone to call any other Skype user...for FREE! I kid you not, you can call any other person with Skype in the world and talk as long as you like absolutely free, no matter how far away from you they are in the world. You can also use Skype to call any other number in the US or Canada free until the end of this year.

Now that you know a bit about Skype and why it's such a useful program, I'll present to you my actual proposition. Skype offers a way to bring groups of people together to discuss common themes called a SkypeCast. A SkypeCast is basically a huge conference call which can include up to a hundred Skype users where the host can control who is being heard to keep it from getting too chaotic as they discuss the topic of choice. My idea was to create a SkypeCast for the Young Composer's Forum called the YabberCast which would be aired periodically and allow anybody who would like to join in a conversation with fellow members about all things YC.

We all know that YC is about much more than just our music. Sure, we're a community of composers and we love music; but that's not the key. The key word is community. A community of like-minded individuals who have come together in this environment to share our thoughts, feelings and ideas; often in musical form.

As a result, it seems like a fantastic idea for us to make use of the opportunity that such a SkypeCast would provide us with. We could transcend the cold, mechanical dimension of talking and getting to know each other through what we type; we could have the opportunity to attach a voice, a real human voice, to the forum handles we've become so used to. For those without a microphone with their computers, or those who simply want to just listen instead of participate verbally, we would also have a Skype group chat window open so that people who aren't talking can request the opportunity to do so and those who prefer not to can comment and participate simply through text.

Now that you've heard my proposition, I would love to hear your thoughts and would very much appreciate it if you voted in the poll so that I can get an idea of the general community response. If it looks promising, I'll post again with my idea for the ground rules and structure of these YabberCasts and we can go from there.

For all those interested, Skype can be downloaded from the following link. I encourage you all to do so that we can start bringing YC even closer together. After all, it's a small world; why not take advantage of it to share our experiences? :unsure:

http://www.skype.com/helloagain.html

Also take a look at this link which can answer all of your questions regarding security and functionality; it's the Skype FAQ:

http://www.skype.com/helloagain.html

And finally, here's a link to the YC thread where you can see who's already using Skype! Join the crowd!

http://www.youngcomposers.com/forum/The-of...read-t4979.html

Thank you and I hope to see your responses soon!

Marius Masalar, future host of the YC YabberCast

Good.

One question;

Music related, random chatter or whould it change from cast to cast?

Good question, I was thinking about that and I think it should be a little of both; just like the forum. This is the place to discuss these things so any thoughts are welcome! :unsure:

Thanks, Marius, for being so detailed with your post.

It's a neat idea that could allow people to experience another way of chatting with people here, sans evil telephones!!!

I know many of you can't imagine talking on the phone with people you don't really KNOW, so this is a less personal way of giving it a shot - as Marius said, you can just listen if you are uncomfortable revealing your voice, so you don't need a microphone to join in, you can just listen and chat instead and still join in the fun!

I've found that I am generally uncomfortable with people giving out their phone numbers via the shoutbox and stuff, it could especially be especially offensive to younger members who's parents would probably disapprove (lol, mommy g here).

I've used Skype to play music with someone - you can play your instrument or something too! pretty neat.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that it could be a fun thing to try sometime.

-G

I have only one concern about Skype: not everyone can hook up a microphone to their computers, and I fear that those who don't get Skype (which probably includes most of our older members) would end up being marginalized. I personally already feel quite left out as it is...

Ok, how can your computer possibly be older than mine??

Almost ever computer manufactured after 98 (and maybe even 1995...) have Mic jacks.

...and I fear that those who don't get Skype (which probably includes most of our older members)...

What does one's age have to do with anything...?

I think everyone can join in the chat regardless - and can't you listen to the people talking even if you don't have a microphone hooked up? (I meant that as a tech question, not an finger-pointer head swerve), :)

Andrew, don't feel left out!! Your post made me the saddest person ever. I've talked to you off the board more than anyone else here, and you're one of my favoritisisisist people here. I've only attempted skype with like three people and only one of them really talked much because the other didn't even have a mic and was just listening and typing! It's been an experiment really, so far. :unsure: :) <---sad faces re: Andrew feeling left out

This sounds fine for those who need a virtual community - it must be good.

Personally I'm looking for a music message board and medium to exchange comments, learn things, perhaps make friends as well as one can in this virtual world....but within the constraints of time.

For those who work and have to do their share of looking after themselves, their partners and real communities, AND compose, teach, play and practice music, there aren't enough hours in a day. Reviewing a piece of music here can take upwards of half-an-hour, a few other replies and that's my time gone.

The prospect of an entire evening chatting on the internet would be nice but unlikely.

Besides, I like to spend time with a certain person and often sign-on in her presence. If I were to indulge in chat without headphones (they're a definite no-no, a symbol of excluding her in favour of some private world....never) then I can imagine her face at some of the expletives likely to splurge out.

I did try something kindred on MSN even succumbing to a webcam for a while. It really didn't work for me - I'm too face-to-face - in the pub, club, friends visiting and things. But I'll happily watch how it works out.

If I find myself "marginalised" then I'll have to decide whether to stay or not. There must be a few members in similar circumstances so...who knows!? Maybe they'll develop a little splinter forum somewhere.

The real problem with Skype is...it's owned by eBay which as we all know, is the work of the devil.

:unsure:

PianoBeast10489: What does one's age have to do with anything...?

Not so much age but era. Unless you're a professional student (and there are plenty of those about!) you eventually have to take on responsibilities that limit available time and interest.

Or you may be like me, a Luddite, recoiling at the thought of relying on any kind of technology; symbolising putting even more of my freedom in the hands of other, usually anonymous, agencies that often go to great extents to role-distance their clientelle!

wow...

I never thought we'd get this kind of response. Suddenly I feel really sad.

But I guess I am a professional student...but I'm still busy, and have some time on a Saturday night here and there since I'm not much for bars... And I do shut my loved one out of these conversations since I hate the "speaker phone" option for any of my phone calls and see this as nothing different (though I do unplug the headphones for a jam session :unsure: ) I didn't see it as excluding him, necessarily...sorry, I just felt a little defensive at that idea...it's just disruptive to the house to have voices blasting from my speaker, hehe.

I don't want people to feel marginalized...how would this be any different than people going in the chat room from time to time? I mean, that's considered acceptable here, isn't it?

(lol...that was probably my most attitude filled post on this forum...I wasn't trying to get all worked up it just made my heart sink into my stomach to think that some of my favorite posters might feel bad about the idea of this happening when it's really just meant as a fun idea to try from time to time as an experiment)

Also, the chats could be held at different times so if you miss one, you're bound to catch another at some point.

Well, chat-rooms are ok though it's difficult to hold a conversation if there are about 30 people in the room so you need to use a colour/typeface combo and keep having to preface a line with the name of the person youre addressing. Besides its so slow, typing everything you want to say.

I didn't even know YC had one!

But I honestly see a very positive value for those musically isolated - or who simply like this medium because it's convenient or whatever. Some tv broadcaster the other day talked of one of the "dangers of the internet" as "allowing young people to remove themselves from the real world." My answer was that they are the children of the new reality...they will create a reality as they go.

Very Baudrillard-ian, really!

:unsure:

*whew*

ok, lol, I have trouble being confrontational so I was sweating when I knew you were replying, hahaha. I didn't want to seem like I was getting all up in your face, I just had to reply.

yeah, I guess the allure for me is that I don't yet have music friends in real life so it's sort of new and exciting!

OK, I was a little confused earlier, thinking it was voice-only.

As it is, our chatroom doesn't require any software beyond a web browser, while Skype requires an outside download. I think I'm not the only one who's wary of installing too much extra software...

The chat room does require Java Runtime Engine to be installed....

And a web browser that supports it.

Does anyone NOT have a Java runtime engine?!

lol.

Anyway though, yeah, I can see that...it took me YEARS to be convinced that AIM was not so evil that I wouldn't use it...I still think it's evil but I tolerate it for whatever reason. I just give it a hard time so it doesn't try to install things on my computer and it fights back a lot. It's rabid.

I only have Skype because we used to use it in ACM when someone was sick or something and couldn't make it to an officers meeting. It was kind of hilarious, actually! Really good for that kind of thing...hehe now I'm giggling about that....anyway, it seems pretty secure compared to some crap I've had to scrape off my computer while muttering profanities...

Does anyone NOT have a Java runtime engine?!

Is that made by Hornby?

Any relation to Thomas the Tank engine?

[Oh Christ, there was this Java thing kept trying to get me to accept downloads but as I couldn't determine who was sending it (no site details available as far as I could see), I declined. Then I switched off something called the Java Sun Console. I mean, what is all this scraggy? My first ever computer had about 64k of ram and a disk capacity of 512kb. The functionality has barely grown though the complexity and jobs for the boys have rocketed].

Sounds interesting. Would get hectic though.... there's a limit to how many people you can have talking in one conversation.

How about making a Young Composers online radio station? Where various music from the site is broadcast?

I'm sure there's some way that could be done.

The YCC is dead :P

Interesting. Michael suggested to me a few months ago that we install some kind of VOIP-powered voice chat program on the server that everyone could connect to. But I wanted to rule it out primarily for one of the reasons Andrew cited: the requirement of external software packages. Or, the requirement of an ActiveX control that runs within a browser which might rule out all non IE users.

There might also be the problem of abuse.

Still, it seems 100% of voters are keen on this idea. Perhaps we might install it after all.

I think perhaps the question "Do you think this is a good idea?" is not objective enough. I think it's neither, as I have reservations about it but I wouldn't say it's a bad idea. Similarly, the *idea* could be a good one but the reality could present some potential problems (as already mentioned in this thread).

Personally I wouldn't use it - at least at the moment.

Sounds interesting. Would get hectic though.... there's a limit to how many people you can have talking in one conversation.

How about making a Young Composers online radio station? Where various music from the site is broadcast?

I'm sure there's some way that could be done.[/b]

From what I've heard, a Skypecast is a bit like a radio program. There is a Host who leads the discussion and gives permission to the others to talk so not too many are talking at the same time. Like a call in radio show! :P

Well, I wouldn't mind being a host. Ask people whom have spoken to me using Skype, iI have a laid back voice yet can control the convo. I think a few of us should be host and talk about various musical issues in the news, key works, and board threads. We can even have a question section.

I think we would need a few key people that are well informed in certain areas such as classical era to modern era.

I think that more than one host could be a good idea, yea.

This would need to be planned though.

Do we talk about anything? or just YC stuff? or both?

Just one? or several for different timezones?

How often (the poll will help with that)

On skype, or on this software Mike has mentioned?

etc.