https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/gysetaywisxou4i46dvhcvoalua
Man oh man you guys missed it… I had one of my gasser here in the office and was gonna show some air preheat details… but no one came on so I put it all away… Maybe next time I guess…
Guess the link died. Back now… https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/g7n2lmgme5zfqr5orwa55dxjraa
Edit: congrats (I guess) to the participants of the first ever 12 hour hangout! I fell asleep…
Were we that boring? 
Guess a late start is better than no start. https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/g2mhhgetvoaipmvpqfdhyi3auea
Instructions for starting without me:
- Click link from last week.
- Click “start new video call”
- Post the new link here.
What is needed to get in on these calls. I have no micro phone or camera on my computer. I accidentally got on one night with just typing my conversation while listening to the moderator. However, it was slow and it almost came to a stand still when others started to get on. I of course assume I need the video camera and a mic. I bought a video camera but when I went to set it up, is said “NOT FOR MACS” So I am asking before I go out to buy. Want the right stuff. Would you believe I’m computer illiterate?TomC.
Have tried and of course no directions or anything to help a person figure out how to do it, I don’t know why they want to keep it such a secret how to run these dam things!!! I will never call myself “illiterate” it is completely the tech community’s fault for lack of instruction!!!
It plugs into a usb port on my Dell laptop. I don’t know anything Mac. Basically, go click the link posted every Friday and join.
Keep in mind, as soon as you connect, the microphone is automatically muted in the Hangout. You must click it ‘on’ for anyone to hear you. That got me a couple of times. The other thing I had to figure out was the microphone input level gave bad feedback to everyone else.
Microphone feedback Bill was talking about is also probably caused by the mic picking up the speaker sound which is why we use earphones instead of the computer speakers.
I’m sitting here nkd and am not allowed to talk on the computer in the house and obviously don’t have a camera running … Tom, thanks for taking the time to talk with me tonight … I hope your wrist heals up quick. Please give my love to Helen … If the game tickets actually make it we will stay at Sue’s parent’s house Kaukauna on the way home and go to Point Beach the next day and maybe get a little sun burn … Mike
…you just won’t be able to send video. But an external microphone of some kind seems to be a must - or the speakers on your computer and built in mic will probably develop a bad feedback (squeel) to the group. Most use the headphones with the small boom mic attached. A cheap set will do just fine.
I turned my camera off last Friday because I sometimes have limited bandwidth available. It is easy enough to listen in and talk with no video.
Just click on the link. If you don’t already have it, you will need to download the google “Hangout” software the first time, and join in. (You should be prompted to do so the first time) I think the group is limited to 10 participants.
I love your sense of humor MIke L, but I’m glad you don’t have a camera… There are some images the mind just can’t erase. LOL
Al D
As others have said, you will need a microphone at minimum, and a camera would be nice but not required. Headphones make it easier to avoid feedback, but if you turn down your microphone level you can usually get the feedback to stop.
The Logitech C270 Carl posted is exactly what I use, it works on Mac and Windows (and Linux). They keep getting cheaper - $15 is a great price. 720p is very good quality for a webcam.
Low bandwidth as Al mentioned works better set to audio only. You are still a full up participant but it eases the workload on your internet connection and your CPU.
I should also note that most tablets and phones (and newer laptops) have webcams built in. For those you don’t need to buy anything - just click the link and try it out.
For folks using Google Chrome, you no longer have to download a plugin, it’s all built into the browser. Just click through and join us!