Join the BlenderSkype support team!

[redbyte]

So here's what I'm thinking.


How about trading Skype names and forming a Blender support desk?

When using Blender you're obviously on your computer, and probably connected to the internet. If you run into a problem usually you have to come to the forums and start a thread, then wait for a reply. But so many times I've had a little problem that's not thread worthy and just wish there was someone I could call/text/message to help clear it up. This will allow that! Skype allows you to send screenshots, files (.blends anyone?), chat, text, conference calls and more!

So if you wanna play, simply reply with your Skype name, experience level and strengths.

I'll kick it off:

Skype ID: redbytex
Experience: 4 years
Strengths: Particles and modelling.

Feel free to add me and ask me any Blender related questions!

I got this idea off another forum, with a thread called "Wanna chat? Add me on Skype!". Soon there were pages of replies with heaps of skype IDs, having massive conference calls. Good fun. So I figured Blender could benefit from some sort of free support desk. With members all around the globe if we had enough members we'd have a 24hr support desk. Even if you're a newbie with no knowledge, feel free to join in so we can help ya out whenever you need it!

You can download Skype free here: http://www.skype.com All you need is a microphone, a pair of speakers and an internet connection. Calls are free between Skype users.



Here is the team so far!

redbyte
Skype ID: redbytex
Experience: 4 years
Strengths: Particles and modelling.

pctopgs
Skype ID: pctopgs
Experience: 2 years
Strengths: not sure

vitaliy
Skype ID: OneTarget
Experience: 3 years
Strengths: Inorganic modeling (electronics and architecture)

mr_bomb
Skype ID: carter2422
Experience: 5 years
Strengths: Character, cloth, organic modeling

oblenob
Skype ID: animafreek
Experience: 1-2 years
Strengths: GE-Logic Bricks, FX(Particles,Fluid,SoftBody,Basic compositing), and odd things like hair guides(not using Jahka)

animatinator
Skype ID: Animatinator
Experience: Around one and a half years
Strengths: Modelling, game engine logic bricks
No Mic. Text only.

johnyman
Skype ID: johnnnnyman
Experience: about 2 years
Strengths: Game Engine

_LsBlend
Skype ID: LsBlend
Experience: 2 years
Strengths: Inorganic modeling and GE stuff
No Mic. Text only.

Lord of the Rings Junkie
Skype ID: lotrjunkie
Experience: 2 years
Strengths: Fluid simulator, hard surface modeling, basics and interface, Indigo junkie.

BrianH
Skype ID: bchynds
Experience: 4 years
Strengths: Character Animation, Texturing, Modeling (Organic), and just about anything.

Gradir
Skype ID: gradir
Experience: Around 5 yrs on and off
Strengths: Modelling and interface
Language: Polish, English

svenniemannie
Skype ID: Svenniemannie
Experience: 1.5-2 years
Strengths: Well, basic and "basic advanced" stuff.
First language: Dutch
Good: English & German

LohnS
Skype ID: leewj86
Experience: 6 years
Strengths: Character modelling, Animation

ros
Skype ID: ros
Experience: 4 years
Strengths: intermediate

Etana
Skype ID: esagji
Experience: 4 years.
Strengths: Interface and Modelling.
Languages: Finnish and English (secondary)

Phosphoer
Skype ID: Phosphoer
Experience: 3-4 years
Strengths: All round.

ZapperJet
Skype ID: ZapperJet
Experience: 1 Year
Strengths: Compositing, Inorganic and Some Organic Modeling, Lighting, Small amount of animation.

jtuttle
Skype ID: jtuttle
Experience: 3 years
Strengths: Inorganic modelling (mostly electronics); basics and interface.

non forum user
Skype ID: chimericidol
Experience: 1 years
Strengths: Interface and basics
Language: Polish (Native), English, Spanish, Portugues (basic)

ENDY_JASMI
Skype ID: endy_jasmi
Experience: 1 ~ 1.5 years
Strengths: Modeling low poly model, Maybe some intermediate poly model
First language: Chinese (Malaysia)
Other Languages : English, Malay

miroslav_karpis
Skype ID: miroslav_karpis
Experience: 1 year
Strengths: ideas

cinmay
Skype ID: cinmay1
Experience: 2 years
Strengths: Modelling & Animation
Language: Norwegian & English

Ammusionist
Skype ID: Ammusionist
Experience: 4 ½ years
Strengths: Anim & Problem Solving

disciplefk
Skype ID: Dusty_and_lauren
Experience: 6 months
Strengths: Modeling/animating in other packages for 8 years
Text only.

4museman
Skype ID: milos.zajic
Experience: 1 and 1/2 year
Strengths: Interface, modelling and BPython scripting...
Languages: Czech and English (secondary)

bmud
Skype ID: fabmud
Experience: 4 years
Strengths: Special Effects (meaning) Game Texturing, Game Logic Bricks + some python, Renderable Materials, Compositing Nodes, & other useful tricks.
Plus webcam!

Bartje
Skype ID: BartArt3D
Experience: 2 years
Strengths: Modeling
Languages: Dutch, English
Prefers txt

Jo_Anna
Skype ID: jo_anna_blender
Experience: 2 years
Strengths: Character modelling, Animation
Language: Polish (Native), Gernman (good), English (basic)

ropsta
Skype ID: i_m_robot
Experience: 3 months
Strengths: (still learning)

Pash
Skype ID: Blendergeek
Experience: 3 years
Strengths: Modelling and some GE
Languages: English and russian
(text only plz)

Jessup660
Skype ID: Jessup660
Experience: 1-2 years
Strengths:BGE Basics-Standard Basics

dagobert
Skype ID: dagobert300774
Experience: 1yr- blender & 6yrs- Maya and various other apps
Strengths: basic knowledge of everything except python.

AlDoug
Skype ID: allenparfitt
Experience: 3 months
Strengths: Getting myself into trouble - actually curve modelling, for what that's worth

jonmike
Skype ID: Elfenomeno
Experience: 2 years
Strengths: Modeling
Languages: English and french

Information
Golfer552
Skype ID: Golfer5521
Experience: (still learning)

[pctopgs]

Ive Made thread like this before,exept it was with aim cause i feared most people wont have a mic......i dont know where this is going but ill give it a try

Skype ID: pctopgs
Exp.: 2 years
strengths: not sure

[vitaliy]

I've done something similar to this, but using Team speak or Ventrillo, didn't do well as people are generally afraid of doing this for some renown reason to me.

Skype ID: OneTarget
Exp.: 3 years
strengths: inorganic modeling (electronics and architecture)

[mr_bomb]

Skype works great for this kind of stuff.

Name: carter2422
Exp: 5 years
Strengths: Character, cloth, organic modeling

[oblenob]

Brilliant!

ID: animafreek
Experience: 1-2 years
Strengths: GE-Logic Bricks, FX(Particles,Fluid,SoftBody,Basic compositing), and odd things like hair guides(not using Jahka)

[redbyte]

Cool! Looks promising so far. I'll have to call some of you up sometime, to see your renders!
Needs more people though! Would be great if we could get some Blender old timers in here. Mr_bomb has been using Blender since '02 can anyone beat that?

[san_diego_james]

maybe include the languages you speak. ie I speak english and spanish fluently

[Mystery]

I think it's a lot easier to jump into irc.freenode.net and go into #blenderchat or #blender than connecting through skype.

Various Blender experts idle there 24/7, and will help you out if they have time and you ask nicely


Mystery

[san_diego_james]

bye the way, even without microfone, you can conect and chat keyboard.
how about using those remote pc programs, and show people stuff directly.

[redbyte]

Originally Posted by san_diego_james bye the way, even without microfone, you can conect and chat keyboard.

Good point. If you want to join in but don't have a microphone. Just add a little note saying, 'text only'.

Originally Posted by san_diego_james how about using those remote pc programs, and show people stuff directly.

You mean the program that lets you hand the mouse over to someone else? That I would not recommend. Too fiddly and troublesome, with the IP addresses to figure out, as well as it being really slow and unsafe. That's why I thought Skype would be a quick and easy alternative, because you can ring someone up, and say "Hey man, got a problem with this project I'm working on can you help?" send them the .blend and you could both have it open on screen and be discussing the problem over the mic.

Originally Posted by san_diego_james I think it's a lot easier to jump into irc.freenode.net and go into #blenderchat or #blender than connecting through skype.

You could be right san_diego_james. But I for one have never used or heard of irc.freenode.net
Whereas I've definately heard of Skype. But that's just me. It could be really popular, but I've never heard of it. Once we get a nice list going, just add everyone to your contacts, then you can just pick however to ring. Or start a conference call with a few. Plus I find voice to voice more personal and easier than talking with my hands

[vitaliy]

Originally Posted by redbyte Cool! Looks promising so far. I'll have to call some of you up sometime, to see your renders! Needs more people though! Would be great if we could get some Blender old timers in here. Mr_bomb has been using Blender since '02 can anyone beat that?

No but i can come close, hes a very good character modeler and he has added himself to the skype group

[vitaliy]

RedByte, i added u but u dont seem to be online

[animatinator]

Sounds like a good idea, I'm willing to help

Name: Animatinator
Experience: Around one and a half years
Strengths: Modelling, game engine logic bricks
I don't currently have a microphone that works with Skype, so it'll have to be text-based.

[mr_bomb]

I have to agree with redbyte, voice-to-voice is much more helpful and personable. It really helps when trying to explain some difficult ideas as it's generally a lot easier to explain through voice than text. I'm generally on skype in the evenings so feel free to catch me up anytime I'm on for questions and such.

[redbyte]

Originally Posted by vitaliy RedByte, i added u but u dont seem to be online

Yeah I live in Australia, and it's 5:53AM over here, and I'm at work. I guess I'll come in handy when people pull all nighters and need help up late.
Also, welcome animator!

[johnyman]

Name: johnnnnyman
Experience: about 2 years
Strengths: Game Engine

[SergeantOreo]

A neat idea. I may get around to posting my id and stuff soon....

[redbyte]

Originally Posted by johnyman Name: johnnnnyman Experience: about 2 years Strengths: Game Engine

Originally Posted by Animatinator Name: Animatinator Experience: Around one and a half years Strengths: Modelling, game engine logic bricks

Sweet! People with experience in the Game Engine. Game creation isn't really my thing, but I might just call you sometime in relation to physics.

That's kinda games related, right?

[ROUBAL]

Hi!
It is mainly interesting for people with a good practice of spoken english.
For my own, I read and write a lot each day in english, but I have very few experience of spoken english (I'm french), and as accents change a lot from a country or state to an other one, it is very difficult to be understood well, and also to understand what other people try to explain you.
Sometimes I have had to phone in USA. With some people on the west coast of USA, it was not very difficult, but with people from new york or in the middle of the continent, it was almost impossible to understand each other !
So, I prefer written messages. One more reason is the time shift between us. We are Blender users from all around the world, and some of us are at work when the others are sleeping, so it is not really easy to call someone when we have some free time !
Philippe.

[kram1032]

As an answer to ROUBAL's post, I have the following request:
To these infos, everyone, who can speak more than just English (or isn't that good in English and prefers an other language), should add that additional Info

(Something like that:
Languages:
Main: German
Good: English
Barely: French
That's, how it would look like, for me
Main = First Language)

I wont join, 'cause I don't have enough time. If I find enough, I might join once