Testing demo version with Skype. I have been a user of Skype for several years and have a SkypeOut account. Two issues

1. I cannot determine how to record a new message from a phone. Do I still need to use a voice modem, set Gateway to Voice modem, then record the message, switch back for Gateway to use Skype?

2. Failure to get Gateway to use Skype – timeout. I have not started Skype before I attemt to use Gateway. I am using version 3 of Skype.

Any suggestions? Please

Thank you so much for test it with Skype. You are fast, the software was released last night.

1). You should be able to use Skype to record your voice, just the same way as you use the modem.

Since you do not have SkypeIn number, you cannot call your Skype from landline or cell phone. You must use Skype from another computer to call your Skype account. When you call, Voicent should pick up the call and start the recording.

Also, you do not need to switch between Skype and modem. The gateway should be able to support both at the same time.

2). There are two mode for Voicent to connect to Skype.

2.1) Manual mode.

That means you start Skype manually, then have Voicent to discover the Skype running Skype instance. Normally Voicent Gateway is started before you login, so you have to restart the gateway after you start Skype. If you are using Windows Vista, this is the only way for Voicent to connect to Skype.

To start multiple Skype instances, act as multiple phone lines, you must switch to a different windows user, login and start Skype, then switch back. This is a Skype limitation, which only allow one instance under on Windows user. For Windows Vista, it is further limited to one login session per Skype instance. For now, it is much easier to use Windows XP (please see below). This limitation might be eliminated once Skype support multiple lines (instances) in one single session.

2.2). Auto mode

Voicent gateway will start Skype instances automatically. For multiple instances, you still need multiple Windows user account due to the Skype limitation mentioned above.

Using this mode, Voicent Gateway can automatically start Skype using different Windows users. The nice thing is that all Skype instances are running under the same login session, so you should be able to see all Skype windows. So if you have set up 4 windows account for Skype, you should see 4 Skype windows started by Voicent Gateway.

Unfortunately, Skype on Windows Vista is more restrictive than on Windows XP. So this mode is not available on Windows Vista.

Follow on:
Gateway has the error – timeout.
But it seems that my Skype name and passward are not being recorded as I am always asked to “Test” after entering the name and password – test always failed

The name and password are not your Skype name and password. It is your Windows user account name and password. You should set automatic signin when Skype start. For multiple line, you have to create multiple Windows user account. They can all share the same Skype account.

If the test fails, the name and password is not added to the gateway.

Good response. I did actually get the calls to work using your sample message. This is something you may want to know — during my fiddling around a window came up from Skype asking that I give permission to VXengine to access Skype!

Yes, vxengine.exe is part of Voicent Gateway. It is the piece that controls Skype.

The first time it tries to connect to Skype, Skype will popup that alert for authorization. You only need to do that once. It will ask you again next time you update Voicent software.

The plugin setup can be accessed from Skype’s tools menu, under advanced.