FREE Video and Teleconferencing Tool |
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| Greeting Division 2 Members,
I think we would all agree that talking face to face is an extremely effective form of communication. In many ways, the best and most clear way to articulate our messages. Combining visual and oral communication allows us to use expressions and body language to both impart and interpret what is really being conveyed. As we, as Auxiliarist, individuals, business community members and government representatives attempt methods to control costs, getting that requisite face time is becoming more and more difficult. Many of our units are cut-off from one another if not be long distances then by traffic time constraints. Bridging potential communication gaps and additional opportunities at sharing of ideas to further each unit’s goals within the Auxiliary would benefits us all. DHS Secretary Napolitano has issued a directive that conference calling and video conferencing will be used when ever and where ever feasible to cut down on travel costs. Our USCG Commandant and National Auxiliary Commodore use video conferencing. Certainly the active duty coast guard is embracing this mandate as well. It is time for the Silver side to reach out to the technology that is there. Meeting with fellow Auxiliarists, active duty personnel and key industry players in many instances can be performed through various forms of teleconferencing. I would like to personally endorse one method and put out a challenge for Division 2 to experiment with utilizing this tool: Skype (pronounced /ska?p/) which is a software application that allows users to make voice calls over the Internet. The FREE Video and Teleconferencing tool I am speaking of is called, SKYPE. Skype calls can make conversations much more interesting and intimate or open up a world of potential players only limited to their ability to get to a computer or handheld device that is SKYPE enabled Video calls, like Skype-to-Skype calls are free, so interfacing with fellow Auxiliarist won't cost a thing, as long as well all use the SKYPE free software download, no matter where they are in the world. All you need is a webcam which most of our laptops already come built in with this feature. Making a video call is easy…here's how to start a video call. With a videophone or a video capable phone (i.e. iPhone) you can make free Skype-to-Skype video calls without your computer. This all-in-one device with built-in webcam, speaker and screen for simple, easy voice and video calls. A much high quality video comes with the latest release of Skype. A long as you have a strong wireless and wire signal, it's so clear that you could speak in sign language or see read charts of an upcoming event. If you want to make High Quality Video calls you'll need the latest version of Skype for windows, an optimized high quality webcam with the latest webcam software. Plus a dual core processor computer and a fast broadband (or better) connection. I urge you all, as prudent and resourceful members of an organization supported by in part with funds budgeted through the United states Government, to download and play with the software – SKYPE. Heck it’s free and debugged. As we lean toward the new year I would like to encourage all of use to experiment with this tool for bringing folks from all over our great AOR a little bit closer, quicker and with less time away from our family and more tie to be effective collaborators. Semper Paratus, John E. Burreson Division Commander 130-02 United States Coast Guard Auxiliary 1509 Warren Avenue North Seattle, WA 98109 206.448.6363 (home) 206.271.9095 (wireless) dcdr02@d13cgaux.org | |||
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Flotillas District 13 |
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