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Skype: No free video conferences without registration?!



 
 
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  #1  
Old April 14th 20, 03:48 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Rainer Bielefeld[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 3
Default Skype: No free video conferences without registration?!

Hi

due to https://www.skype.com/de/free-conference-call/ with a generated
invitation link it is possible to invite guests to conference. These
guests are able to participate in the conference "without any download"
(Skype WIN app?).

That's not true due to my experience. I sent that invitation link to a
WIN10 PC by email. Browser suggested Skype as helper application, I had
to download it.

After installation browser suggested and opened Skype for that
invitation link, Skype app insists in sign in or, if necessary,
registration.

My fault or is it simply not true what I read on German Skype web page?

Can you help? Microsoft support contact chat is a dead end street.

CU

Rainer
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  #2  
Old April 14th 20, 06:55 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Frank Slootweg
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Posts: 1,226
Default Skype: No free video conferences without registration?!

Rainer Bielefeld wrote:
Hi

due to https://www.skype.com/de/free-conference-call/ with a generated
invitation link it is possible to invite guests to conference. These
guests are able to participate in the conference "without any download"
(Skype WIN app?).

That's not true due to my experience. I sent that invitation link to a
WIN10 PC by email. Browser suggested Skype as helper application, I had
to download it.


Try again, but do *not* download any app/program, i.e. just use the
browser as is.

I recently used this Skype setup (on Windows 8.1. and with the
(Google) Chrome browser) and it worked fine.

It is one of the advantages of a Skype video conference: Only one
person needs an account. The other participants do not need an account
and do not need an app/program, just a web-browser is sufficient.

After installation browser suggested and opened Skype for that
invitation link, Skype app insists in sign in or, if necessary,
registration.

My fault or is it simply not true what I read on German Skype web page?

Can you help? Microsoft support contact chat is a dead end street.


I hope this helps. Good luck.
  #3  
Old April 15th 20, 10:14 AM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
wasbit[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 229
Default Skype: No free video conferences without registration?!

"Rainer Bielefeld" wrote in message
...
Hi

due to https://www.skype.com/de/free-conference-call/ with a generated
invitation link it is possible to invite guests to conference. These
guests are able to participate in the conference "without any download"
(Skype WIN app?).

That's not true due to my experience. I sent that invitation link to a
WIN10 PC by email. Browser suggested Skype as helper application, I had to
download it.

After installation browser suggested and opened Skype for that invitation
link, Skype app insists in sign in or, if necessary, registration.

My fault or is it simply not true what I read on German Skype web page?

Can you help? Microsoft support contact chat is a dead end street.


My notes say
'Microsoft User Account req for each user'

--
Regards
wasbit

  #4  
Old April 15th 20, 01:10 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Rainer Bielefeld[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 3
Default Skype: No free video conferences without registration?!

Frank Slootweg schrieb:
just use the browser as is.



Hi Frank,

thx for advise, which browser did you use? AFAIR there was no way for me
to jon via link in Edge, SeaMonkey, Touch, at least without signing in
with my Skype account. I will try again.

CU

Rainer
  #5  
Old April 15th 20, 02:17 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Frank Slootweg
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,226
Default Skype: No free video conferences without registration?!

Rainer Bielefeld wrote:
Frank Slootweg schrieb:
just use the browser as is.


Hi Frank,

thx for advise, which browser did you use? AFAIR there was no way for me
to jon via link in Edge, SeaMonkey, Touch, at least without signing in
with my Skype account. I will try again.


AFAIR, I used (Google) Chrome as my browser. (I also have Internet
Explorer 11 (built-in in Windows 8.1), but I normally use Chrome for the
newer stuff/tasks.)
  #6  
Old April 15th 20, 02:27 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Frank Slootweg
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,226
Default Skype: No free video conferences without registration?!

wasbit wrote:
[...]

My notes say
'Microsoft User Account req for each user'


Not needed for a video conference:

https://www.skype.com/en/free-conference-call

"Easy video meetings with no sign ups or downloads
...
2. Share
Invite anyone even if they're not on Skype.
...
Try Skype on the web
If you don't have the Skype app, we will open the Skype web client. No
download required. Currently supported on Microsoft Edge or Google
Chrome."

I.e. - as I wrote earlier - no account needed ("Invite anyone even if
they're not on Skype.") *and* no app(/program) needed ("If you don't
have the Skype app , we will open the Skype web client. No download
required."
  #7  
Old April 15th 20, 05:08 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Paul[_32_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 11,873
Default Skype: No free video conferences without registration?!

Frank Slootweg wrote:
wasbit wrote:
[...]

My notes say
'Microsoft User Account req for each user'


Not needed for a video conference:

https://www.skype.com/en/free-conference-call

"Easy video meetings with no sign ups or downloads
...
2. Share
Invite anyone even if they're not on Skype.
...
Try Skype on the web
If you don't have the Skype app, we will open the Skype web client. No
download required. Currently supported on Microsoft Edge or Google
Chrome."

I.e. - as I wrote earlier - no account needed ("Invite anyone even if
they're not on Skype.") *and* no app(/program) needed ("If you don't
have the Skype app , we will open the Skype web client. No download
required."


Maybe some fine documentation, that never got synchronized with reality ?

I think sometimes the documentation ignores the behavior across
all platforms. Some of this kind of software, assumes the platform
"freely gives up the users identity on demand", and this gives the
impression there is no signup happening.

Or perhaps they think there is a subtle magical distinction between
a user having just an MSA, or having MSA+Skype account and this
"free as a bird" notion means "free as a bird that used an MSA to sign in".

In any case, it's quite likely the OP is not making any operational
mistake, and this is just Microsoft up to its usual tricks.

Paul
  #8  
Old April 15th 20, 06:55 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Frank Slootweg
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,226
Default Skype: No free video conferences without registration?!

Paul wrote:
Frank Slootweg wrote:
wasbit wrote:
[...]

My notes say
'Microsoft User Account req for each user'


Not needed for a video conference:

https://www.skype.com/en/free-conference-call

"Easy video meetings with no sign ups or downloads
...
2. Share
Invite anyone even if they're not on Skype.
...
Try Skype on the web
If you don't have the Skype app, we will open the Skype web client. No
download required. Currently supported on Microsoft Edge or Google
Chrome."

I.e. - as I wrote earlier - no account needed ("Invite anyone even if
they're not on Skype.") *and* no app(/program) needed ("If you don't
have the Skype app , we will open the Skype web client. No download
required."


Maybe some fine documentation, that never got synchronized with reality ?


wasbit posted his notes, not a cite from 'some fine documentation'.

I think sometimes the documentation ignores the behavior across
all platforms. Some of this kind of software, assumes the platform
"freely gives up the users identity on demand", and this gives the
impression there is no signup happening.

Or perhaps they think there is a subtle magical distinction between
a user having just an MSA, or having MSA+Skype account and this
"free as a bird" notion means "free as a bird that used an MSA to sign in".

In any case, it's quite likely the OP is not making any operational
mistake, and this is just Microsoft up to its usual tricks.


Well, as I said, I *used* it and it worked as advertized.

As to "ignores the behavior across all platforms", in the context of
this thread, the 'platforms' can be just a *single* one, namely a
web-browser.

I.e in a (video) conference, the participants *can* use a Skype
account or/and they *can* use a Skype app/program, but they do not
*have* to do that, a web-browser will work just fine.

I'm no Microsoft fan and most of this does have little to do with
Microsoft anyway, other than that they acquired Skype, but this Skype
stuff is very flexible, is available on many platforms and IME works as
advertized.
  #9  
Old April 16th 20, 06:10 AM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Rainer Bielefeld[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 3
Default Skype: No free video conferences without registration?!

Paul schrieb:
Maybe some fine documentation, that never got synchronized with reality ?



Hi

seems so. I used an existing invitation link like
join.skype.com/n0JQs7xzxyz

1) Copied link to Microsoft Edge on my WIN10 notebook
2) selected option "Participate as Guest" instead
of launch or download Skype or Sign in
Guest session became started

3) Launched session with the same link on my WIN7 PC in
Skype, worked fine
I now ave a Skype session with myself

on notebook and PC 👍

Second attempt in Browser "SeaMonkey 49.1"
11) Copied link to SeaMonkey on my WIN10 notebook
12) I was asked to select an APP
13) I selected SeaMonkey
14) I was asked to select an APP ... and so on
no way to launch Conference in Browser 😥


Third attempt on Browser "Firefox 75.0"
21) Copied link to FF on my WIN10 notebook
22) I was asked to select an APP
23) I selected FF
24) I was asked to select an APP ... and so on
no way to launch Conference in Browser 😥



4th attempt on Browser "Torch"
Worked fine like in Edge 👍


So my result concerning you "can join conference without download and
without sign in (via invitation link)" is:
👍 Works fine with Torch and Edge
👎 Does not work with SeaMonkey 2.49.1 and FF 2.75
(Means: not with all mozilla Browsers?)

CU

Rainer
  #10  
Old April 16th 20, 06:39 AM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Paul[_32_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 11,873
Default Skype: No free video conferences without registration?!

Rainer Bielefeld wrote:
Paul schrieb:
Maybe some fine documentation, that never got synchronized with reality ?



Hi

seems so. I used an existing invitation link like
join.skype.com/n0JQs7xzxyz

1) Copied link to Microsoft Edge on my WIN10 notebook
2) selected option "Participate as Guest" instead
of launch or download Skype or Sign in
Guest session became started

3) Launched session with the same link on my WIN7 PC in
Skype, worked fine
I now ave a Skype session with myself

on notebook and PC 👍

Second attempt in Browser "SeaMonkey 49.1"
11) Copied link to SeaMonkey on my WIN10 notebook
12) I was asked to select an APP
13) I selected SeaMonkey
14) I was asked to select an APP ... and so on
no way to launch Conference in Browser 😥


Third attempt on Browser "Firefox 75.0"
21) Copied link to FF on my WIN10 notebook
22) I was asked to select an APP
23) I selected FF
24) I was asked to select an APP ... and so on
no way to launch Conference in Browser 😥



4th attempt on Browser "Torch"
Worked fine like in Edge 👍


So my result concerning you "can join conference without download and
without sign in (via invitation link)" is:
👍 Works fine with Torch and Edge
👎 Does not work with SeaMonkey 2.49.1 and FF 2.75
(Means: not with all mozilla Browsers?)

CU

Rainer


That's a bit strange. I would expect Microsoft
is sampling the UserAgent string to achieve that
dastardly ending. As I understand it, both modern
Firefox and modern Chrome have WebRTC, and thus WebRTC
can be used with those browsers. I think I tested
that before my medical teleconference around
a week ago or so.

By Microsoft dismissing other browsers, that's
probably not for technical limitation reasons.
I don't think the browsers have a second method
as a choice. I've heard of something called
"Webex", but haven't found a page with details
of such yet.

You can bump up your Seamonkey if you want.
The new version doesn't work on Windows XP
(whereas 2.49.1 would work on WinXP). The new
version of Seamonkey is based on a 52.9ESR
version of Firefox. Your Seamonkey also
won't auto-update to that new version.
You need to download the Seamonkey installer
and install it that way.

Paul
  #11  
Old April 16th 20, 04:51 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Frank Slootweg
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,226
Default Skype: No free video conferences without registration?!

Rainer Bielefeld wrote:
Paul schrieb:
Maybe some fine documentation, that never got synchronized with reality ?


Hi

seems so. I used an existing invitation link like
join.skype.com/n0JQs7xzxyz

1) Copied link to Microsoft Edge on my WIN10 notebook
2) selected option "Participate as Guest" instead
of launch or download Skype or Sign in
Guest session became started

3) Launched session with the same link on my WIN7 PC in
Skype, worked fine
I now ave a Skype session with myself

on notebook and PC ?

Second attempt in Browser "SeaMonkey 49.1"
11) Copied link to SeaMonkey on my WIN10 notebook
12) I was asked to select an APP
13) I selected SeaMonkey
14) I was asked to select an APP ... and so on
no way to launch Conference in Browser ?


Third attempt on Browser "Firefox 75.0"
21) Copied link to FF on my WIN10 notebook
22) I was asked to select an APP
23) I selected FF
24) I was asked to select an APP ... and so on
no way to launch Conference in Browser ?



4th attempt on Browser "Torch"
Worked fine like in Edge ?


So my result concerning you "can join conference without download and
without sign in (via invitation link)" is:
? Works fine with Torch and Edge
? Does not work with SeaMonkey 2.49.1 and FF 2.75
(Means: not with all mozilla Browsers?)


If 'Torch' is similar to the Google Chrome browser, then that explains
your findings as the Skype web client is supported on Microsoft Edge and
Google Chrome:

[Repeat of part of my response to wasbit:]

https://www.skype.com/en/free-conference-call

"Easy video meetings with no sign ups or downloads
...
2. Share
Invite anyone even if they're not on Skype.
...
Try Skype on the web
If you don't have the Skype app, we will open the Skype web client. No
download required. Currently supported on Microsoft Edge or Google
Chrome."
  #12  
Old April 16th 20, 06:46 PM posted to alt.comp.os.windows-10
Char Jackson
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 10,449
Default Skype: No free video conferences without registration?!

On Thu, 16 Apr 2020 01:39:21 -0400, Paul wrote:

That's a bit strange. I would expect Microsoft
is sampling the UserAgent string to achieve that
dastardly ending. As I understand it, both modern
Firefox and modern Chrome have WebRTC, and thus WebRTC
can be used with those browsers. I think I tested
that before my medical teleconference around
a week ago or so.

By Microsoft dismissing other browsers, that's
probably not for technical limitation reasons.
I don't think the browsers have a second method
as a choice. I've heard of something called
"Webex", but haven't found a page with details
of such yet.


Cisco Webex? Where I work, we used to use Webex for our teleconferencing.
We switched to Zoom recently, reportedly for financial reasons, but Webex
was excellent for the 6+ years that we had it.

The way we used it was each of the consultants had a Webex account.
Optionally, we could install the Webex plugin into MS Outlook. Then
whenever you need to set up a meeting you either do it directly from
Outlook or you can go to the Webex website and do it from there. Your
meeting participants don't need a Webex account or any special software.
They just click the invitation that they get via email. I never had anyone
complain that a specific browser didn't work.

 




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