REQUEST for creation of DU SkypeCast forum

Hello,

  Skype is a free program which allows computer users with broadband connections and microphones to communicate with each other, via voice, over the Internet. There are, and have been for years, programs which allowed users to chat via voice. However, with the introduction of SkypeCasts persons may go to the SkypeCast web page and create or join a "SkypeCast": A scheduled conference where participants may engage each other in verbal discourse(usually on a particular topic). This "real-time" verbal interaction is the most natural state of communication between two or more individuals and aside from cues displayed through body-language, represents a much clearer form of communication.

  At the time of this writing there are 6.1 million users throughout the world logged into and using Skype at the moment.

  I believe this is an extremely useful technology which will bring a here-to-fore unavailable dimension to Democratic Underground. The ability for users to communicate, conspire, collaborate and even build or strengthen relationships with those they strongy disagree in such a manner augments the excellent resource that Democratic Underground is and will be a powerful tool for those who choose to exploit it, as I hope we do, to our mutual benefit and personal growth.

  The intent of this forum would merely be a place where we could bring progressive SkypeCasts to the attention of other Democratic Underground users. It would require no more moderation than any other forum and would carry the same sort of risk that, say, a dating forum would. Democratic Underground's creation of this forum would in no way be an endorsement of Skype, the views expressed during Skype conversations or any way imply protection from harassment by persons wishing to disrupt conversation or intimidate Liberals discussing what we like to chat about most: How to clean up America and get this country moving forward again.

  If you believe this forum should be created, please respond to this message with a note of support

Thank you each for taking the time to consider this request,

Poll_Blind

WARNING: Because Skype is peer-to-peer communication, your IP address may be exposed, especially to savvy Internet users. Everyone considering using Skype should first make peace with the fact that communicating via this method could expose them (and their computers) to the scrutiny of undesirable, malignant personalities intent on harvesting such information for the purposes of personal intimidation. With the rancor currently in American politics and the contentious nature of both debates within our own party and outside of it, this potential liability should be given extra consideration.

...us on DU use it.

PB

except that I already spend too much time on DU. <grin> NSA would have a ball monitoring the conversations, wouldn't they?

...that's why I do! ;-) You can read more about the NSA's frustration with Skype in the article NSA concerned over computer phone service from UPI. If you are more cryptographically-literate and wish to read a more detailed analysis of Skype's encryption I recommend this Skype Security Evaluation(PDF, requires Adobe Acrobat to read) carried out by Tom Berson of Anagram Laboratories. Even if you're not a cryptographic expert I suggest taking a look at the security evaluation to get an idea of the security Skype offers.

PB

I can see a lot of people at DU using it. Obviously we would have to figure out a way to keep freepers out, but it could be done.

...MUTE them or kick them out of the conversation, entirely.

PB

played with it off and on.. ...now where can I get a microphone for my new laptop:)

...of my friends. Excellent quality and, as someone who has killed two previous headsets, very lightweight and durable. By the way, it's ~$20 at your local electronics shop but you can find the same thing online for much cheaper.

PB

I wear my tin foil hat all the time....

...to crack it. If there exists some method that the U.S. has developed to crack such encryption (not only highly doubtful but it is reasonable to state impossible) the resources required to do so would make it prohibitively "expensive" and not a trivial affair by any stretch of the imagination.

  These same (or similar) encryption schemes and key-bit sizes are used by entire nations to safeguard their most-sensitive information, including the United States, itself.

  That's what makes it so, frankly, yummy. :D

PB

I will pipe in.

PB

PB