IMPORTANT: This SecondTalk headset is a public beta version. This means there may be a few bugs to work out. No technical support is available. The company warns that this item is currently a use it at your own risk. Comments are welcome on the company blog at www.secondtalk.com.
By wearing this device in SL, you'll be able to have voice chats with other SecondTalk wearers through Skype, the free Voice over IP service (http://www.skype.com). SL residents can go to http://slurl.com/secondlife/Maui/234/37/24 to obtain a copy of Second Talk Public 4.0. It takes about 30 seconds to arrive to you avatar. You must accept. Plus, you will get the following note card with instructions:
WHAT YOU NEED TO USE SECOND TALK
To get the most out of your SecondTalk headset, you'll need the following things in Real Life:
1) A Skype account. You can get one for free by going to http://www.skype.com.
2) A microphone headset. If your laptop has a built-in microphone, you'll still want to wear headphones so other people don't hear an echo of your voice
GETTING STARTED
1) First, make sure you have Skype activated and that you're logged in. **Second Talk will not work without Skype!**
2) First, you'll need to set your Skype ID. After the Second Talk headset appears in your inventory, right-click it, and choose "Wear." The headset will appear on your right ear, but you can choose to attach it anywhere on your body.
3) Type "/1 setid|YourSkypeID" where YourSkypeID is your actual Skype ID.
4) That's it! The headset will start, and the function menu will appear. Time to start talking.
HOW TO TALK WITH SOMEONE
First, make sure your headset is ON. Press the ON button on the menu, or say "/1 on". The status light on your headset will turn green.
When you see another avatar wearing a headset and you'd like to talk with them, press the SCAN button on the menu, or say "/1 scan". If there's only one headset nearby, you'll see a dialog box asking if you'd like to chat right now. If you would, press "Talk Now", and the chat URL will load up. Go to the URL, and your Skype chat will begin.
If there are multiple users nearby, you'll see a list of buttons, each with the name of someone who's available for voice chat. Click on the buttons to create a call queue; you can select up to nine other people to talk with. Everyone in your queue will have an asterisk (*) added to the beginning of their name. If you want to remove someone, simply click on the name button. Once you're ready to talk, click the GO button, and the chat URL will load up.
VOICE COMMANDS
/1 reset: Reset the entire headset.
/1 setid|YourSkypeID: Sets the headset's Skype ID to YourSkypeID.
/1 on: Turn on your headset and make yourself available for voice chat.
/1 off: Turn off your headset and make yourself unavailable for voice chat.
/1 scan: Look for available Second Talk users in the area.
/1 talk: Initiate a voice chat with the Second Talk users your headset has found.
/1 menu: Display the main menu.
/1 help: Display the list of voice commands.
MENU COMMANDS
ON: Turn on your headset and make yourself available for voice chat.
OFF: Turn off your headset and make yourself unavailable for voice chat.
SCAN: Look for available Second Talk users in the area.
TALK: Initiate a voice chat with the Second Talk users your headset has found.
FAQ
Q: What do I need to use Second Talk?
A: 1) A Skype account. You can get one free at http://www.skype.com.
2) A microphone headset. Even your laptop has a built-in microphone, you’ll still want to wear headphones so other people don’t hear echoes.
Q: I’m hearing echoes on my conversations.
A: See above. You just need some cheap headphones. Otherwise, your speakers will feed back to your microphone, and, presto, echoes!
Q: How does this thing work?
A: By using LSL to scan for other users, place them in a potential chat queue, and using an external server with some code on it to facilitate a Skype call.
Q: Why’s it asking me to load a web page?
A: That’s how we talk to the external server.
Q: Is there any way to get around loading the web page?
A: Sorry, no. This is a limitation of both SL and Skype. We’re working on some new ideas that offer better integration.
Q: So can you listen in on my calls?
A: No, we’re just connecting you via Skype. Your connection is as secure as any other Skype call.
Q: Is this good enough to use for business conversations?
A: If you’re comfortable with using Skype to do business, you bet.
Please join the Second Talk group for updates and information!
Regards till my next blog,
Dembe
1 comment:
Personally, while I understand the desire by some to get voice into SL. I really see it as a negative. Given how people stereo type others based on their appearance and the sound of their voice, will you interact the same with that person with a slow American Southern drawl? What about players that play cross gender or gender neutral avatars? The wonder of SL is the fact that we get to interact with *who people are* on the inside without all the external baggage. Sigh...
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