West Somerset Scouts
Project Mercury
Click below for the Bumper Book of Knowledge
Project statement: Version 2.1.7
Overview
Recently more and more Somerset County Scout meetings are being held East of Taunton.
These meetings include Scout Fellowship meetings, TA meetings and Explorer Scout meetings
Following discussions between Ron & Graham
it has been decided to explore the viability of using modern IT
solutions to save travelling to some countywide meetings. Initially these tests
are limited to
Although currently nothing can fully replace the benefits of a face to face meeting these advantages are however counter balanced by the following negative issues:
Travelling - Carbon footprint. – Green issue.
Cost of fuel. – Economic & green issue.
Risk of travelling on Somerset’s Red Routes. – H&S issue.
Link to RED ROUTE info.Click here.
Travelling time. – Quality of life issue (Balance of family & scouting responsibilities).
Possible cost of room hire. – Economic issue.
Address some of the issues identified in the County report on training dated April 2008
It is felt that the use of Skype could overcome some or all of the above drawbacks.
However it is essential
that the needs of members who are not connected to Broad Band or do not have a
computer are NOT overlooked.
In
For a description of Skype click here.
One to one video/audio use of Skype has already been proven with no significant problems.
On the
Three computers (1 desktop and two laptops were connected to a BT homehub router at 01643 703838) all three computers were running windows XP home edition and Skype Version 3.8.0.180.
The other computer was using a Netgear Fast Ethernet Switch (FS108) to BT Home Hub with BT as an ISP from 01643 863117 using an earlier version of Skype and Windows XP.
With only two participants this experiment could not fully test all facilities, however video facilities are not available with more than two computers.
Suggested next
steps
1. Set up test conference on Skype GH. RB & MH (all on same ISP e.g. BT.) - Completed successfully.
2. Set up conference call GH. RB & TB, Tony is on a different ISP namely Yahoo-awaiting microphone.
3. Contact - Encourage and help other leaders to use Skye with test calls.-Ongoing- No Watchet or Williton users as yet
4. Set up a test conference meeting with at least 12 separate participants at 10 different locations before Christmas 08. Completed with six participants May 2009 -duration 1.5 hours.
5. Test the facilities offered by Yahoo Groups.
For a desciption of Yahoo Groups Click here
A group “
For information on how to register for membership of westsomersetscouts Yahoo Group click here
6. Copy information on the project to A/CC, DCs, Training Manager & County SF coordinator.
It may be that this could also be a useful District/Group/County communications/information sharing tool, particularly for TAs and their learners.
Current situation 18/5/09
The following scouters/members have been contacted with a view to them downloading Skype to further test Skype conferencing from multiple locations. More group members are required please.
Ron Blundell ron.blundell@btinternet.com Full user Skype & westsomersetscout group
Group ID ron661858 Skype name: ron.blundell
Graham Haw graham.haw@btinternet.com Full user Skype & westsomersetscoutgroup
Group ID graham839133 Skype name:graham5377
Malcolm Hill malcolm.e.hill@btinternet.com Full user Skype & westsomersetscout group
Group ID malcolm572383 Skype name:malcolmexmoor
Malcolm McCoy m.mccoy@tiscali.co.uk Full user Skype & westsomersetscout group
Group ID malcolm.mccoy62 Skype name: malcolm.mccoy
Annette & Dave Parkin annette@annetparkin.wanadoo.co.uk Full user Skype & westsomersetscoutgroup
Group ID ??? Skype name: firstporlock
Estella Segar ejsegar@yahoo.co.uk Skype only RB sent group invite 18/04/09
Doug Carter a.j.d.c@btinternet.com Full user Skype & westsomersetscout group
Group ID doug.carter37 Skype name: doug.carter37
& albert6146
Tony Bullen ajbullen@yahoo.co.uk No microphone-possibly 6/12/08 Full use of Skype & Group
Group ID ajbullen Skype name: tonybullen2
Simon
Bale
simonbale@spbale.fsnet.co.uk Neither Skype or Group -contacted 1
Group ID Skype name:
Angela Naylor angela.naylor01@btinternet.com Skype user RB sent group invite 18/04/09
Group ID Skype name: angela.naylor1
Graham Burt graham.burt10@btinternet.com Full user Skype & westsomersetscout group
Group ID graham593332 Skype name: graham.burt10
Esther Legg lamarr@leggy.fsnet.co.uk Neither Skype or Group RB sent group invite 5/09
Group ID Skype name:
Andy
Coward
andrew.coward10@virgin.net Already on Skype
Steve Cutler stevejcutler@talktalk.net Neither Skype or Group RB sent group invite 5/09
Group ID Skype name:
Jeremy Szabo jeremypaulszabo@msn.com Neither Skype or Group RB invite 18/04/09
Kay Wright kaybwright@btopenworld.com Skype only -no group account RB invite18/04/09
Group ID Skype name: kay.wright4
Group ID
carys.woodley Skype name:
Iain Truman iain.truman@mac.com Skype user & Group member 13/1/09 Skype name:iaintruman
Group ID iain9uk
NB: At present there are no Watchet users. Despite repeated requests still no response as of 18/5/08.
Good News -Four out of the fives District's GSL's now all users of Skype or Yahoo group "westsomersetscouts"
Two ADCs are Skype or group users. One of the two Explorer Leaders is a Skype & Group user.
Key
Green Text =
Skype working.
Orange text =
Leader contacted pending Skype download.
Red Text = Leader
not yet contacted or remarks.
Conferencing
The main aim of Project Mercury is to test the viability
of voice conferencing across the District and if successful offer the idea to
the wider
The following is a draft of possible issues that will effect testing of this facility;
a. When using laptops for conferencing it is recommended that the computer is connected to the mains rather that rely solely on the battery.
b. Tests have shown that headsets may work better than separate microphones Headsets overcome the problem of audio feedback but only allow one participant/location.
c. To include members who do not have access to a computer it may be necessary to have more than one individual/location.
d. The location of participating computers needs to be in as quiet a location as possible to overcome the potential of background noise and phones should be unplugged in the computer room to prevent I/C ring being heard on conference calls..
e. During one test there was significant “mains hum” and it recommenced that all leads are kept clear of mains electrical equipment that may induce a hum.
f. To allow easy identification when initially setting up a conference it is suggested each user replace the standard avatar with a personal picture.
g. The skills required to run an effective conference by Skype are as yet unidentified and it is recognised there will be a steep learning curve for every one involved.
Skype issues yet to be
resolved.
a. Although the “change status settings” are set correctly Tony always seems to be on line – this may be the case with M.McCoy as well -28/11/08? Now resolved 17/5/09
b. Tony Bullen no microphone as of 18/5/09.
c. DP distorted speech to RB. -
Resolved
Any one with any queries please ring
me on 01643 703838.
Ron Blundell
Project Mercury Leader