Skype Plugin released

**Zoltan** · 06-12-2009, 12:22 PM

Hello,

Thanks for your work on this plugin. I've been waiting for a skype solution for a long time. I've never had any luck getting phonecontrol apps to work correctly or reliably. I've always been on some kind of a gsm winmo smartphone or on a cdma phone and timing has never worked out for me. In any case, I now also have Sprint 3G aircard and a bluetooth headset linked to the carputer.

I'm using DFX-4 with RR-1Jun09 and Skype-4. I installed RRSkype 1.3, and added the "x,RRSkype" line to plugins.txt.

When I start RR, it starts skype and logs in, but I have to minimize it manually (skype.exe /nosplash /minimized should work). I added a button to DFX that brings me to the RRSkype.skin, but the link to skype does not appear functional. (I gave RRSkype access to control skype in the skype-advanced options menu.)

If I go to the plugins viewer, it shows that RRSkype is on, but not installed.

During the installation, when it asks about where to locate the skin files, I've tried both RideRunner and RoadRunner directories, but it doesn't seam to affect where the actual plugin goes. Is there something I'm not doing during the install process? Like registering a .dll or something?

Thanks for your help.

Rob

**lambosprit** · 06-13-2009, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by Zoltan

I'm using DFX-4 with RR-1Jun09 and Skype-4. I installed RRSkype 1.3, and added the "x,RRSkype" line to plugins.txt.

You shouldn't need to put the x,RRskype in because it has been installed to the global plugin directory.

Originally Posted by Zoltan

When I start RR, it starts skype and logs in, but I have to minimize it manually (skype.exe /nosplash /minimized should work).

The plugin should minimise the skype screen. It uses the nosplash minimized you said but sometimes it doesn't work.

Originally Posted by Zoltan

I added a button to DFX that brings me to the RRSkype.skin, but the link to skype does not appear functional. (I gave RRSkype access to control skype in the skype-advanced options menu.)

Why do you think its not functional. Have you used the RRSkype indicator to see if its running? For that matter are you using one of the installer skins or one you made yourself (I know mine are pretty poor). If you use RRSkype_friends do you get a custom list showing?

Originally Posted by Zoltan

If I go to the plugins viewer, it shows that RRSkype is on, but not installed.

During the installation, when it asks about where to locate the skin files, I've tried both RideRunner and RoadRunner directories, but it doesn't seam to affect where the actual plugin goes. Is there something I'm not doing during the install process? Like registering a .dll or something?

If the installer finds RideRunner or RoadRunner installed it automatically installs it in the global plugins folder. If it doesn't find them then it asks for a directory to install to. What your seeing is the installer asking for where to install the skins you've selected. This only effects where the skins are installed and nothing else.

The installer should have checked for .net 2 and registered the plug-in itself. If anything failed it should have told you. However this is one of my first installers so there may be problems. Not sure what you mean by the plug-in is on but not installed.

Anyway I'm here to help you get it running so don't despair yet.
Thanks for your help.

**Sonicxtacy02** · 08-18-2009, 11:56 AM

I'm a complete noob to skype but i just installed this plugin and i'm liking its potential. I gotta get some people in my buddy list before i can actually use it though

**trader007** · 08-18-2009, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by Sonicxtacy02

I'm a complete noob to skype but i just installed this plugin and i'm liking its potential. I gotta get some people in my buddy list before i can actually use it though

no you really dont. skype isnt just a internet messaging system, its a real phone solution too. for $30 a year, you get unlimited calls to any phone in america, and for $60 more they will give you a phone number that people can call you with. so, for $90 a year, i have a 2nd phone line that i can use as much as i want. i dont use it much, but all my bill collectors have my skype number on file- so when i dont pay, they call that number and i never answer it

or, you can simply throw $10 on your skype account and make phone calls for real cheap- its like a prepaid cellphone. but of course, any skype call to another skype number is free...

ill have to try this plugin. i dont have a dedicated air card for internet (i have to tether my phone) but skype can still come in handy (like when you want to prank call people like the good old days

)

btw- OP- chat would be awesome. its one feature that is hard to use on my phone, and if it were built into my carpc it would be so much easier to use. i wouldnt worry about people using the chat feature while driving, if you do that you deserve to die.

**toyotatyrant** · 08-18-2009, 02:53 PM

I'm starting to get interested in skype as well. My cousin uses it and is thrilled with it.

**trader007** · 08-18-2009, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by toyotatyrant

I'm starting to get interested in skype as well. My cousin uses it and is thrilled with it.

the biggest two drawbacks are (even if you are a skypeIN subscriber like i am) are NO 911 calls and NO outgoing CALLERID. the 911 calls can be remedied by always having a cheap cellphone charged nearby (any phone even if its not activated can call 911, everyone should have a spare in their glovebox). the callerID part kinda sucks- i can see people calling me just fine, but anyone i call i usually have to leave a message because they see "no caller id" and they wont answer (dont blame them). its not a real big deal though. for the price, and how well it works, its a steal.

**whitepanther** · 08-18-2009, 04:41 PM

CallerID is possible to add. Check Skype's pages about it.
911 impossible because skype isn't a mobile phone or landline phone and physically not situated anywhere and at the same time is situated everywhere...

**trader007** · 08-18-2009, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by whitepanther

CallerID is possible to add. Check Skype's pages about it.
911 impossible because skype isn't a mobile phone or landline phone and physically not situated anywhere and at the same time is situated everywhere...

yeah i know the reasons... i didnt know they added outgoing callerID though, it was just incoming before... ill look into it

for 911 though, they could have the service if they added in gps support- and make it work just like cellphones do. but then you have some people with skype that can call 911 and others that cant. im guessing its federal laws that tell them their service needs to support 911 fully or not at all....

edit- wow, this was a feature over a year ago. you have to activate it, but its free. now anyone that i call will know its me right away, thank you so much for sayin something! ive been using skype for about 4 years, i got to the point where i didnt think they would ever implement outgoing callerid. honestly, there is little reason for me to have a cellphone now. i should just buy a data card, put it through my house's wireless router and use skype for phone calls.

**trader007** · 08-18-2009, 11:20 PM

lambosprit-

i have been trying to install this plugin with the digital FX4.0 skin (the ultimate freedom flavor). i have it working (cant get an icon to work with the menu button, but thats the least of my worries), i mean at least it comes up and shows my buddy list, so it must be talking to skype ok...

but the plugin screen itself is skewed- im running a 16:9 screen so it doesnt seem to work well... is there a way to change its aspect ratio?

**rijndael** · 08-19-2009, 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by trader007

the biggest two drawbacks are (even if you are a skypeIN subscriber like i am) are NO 911 calls and NO outgoing CALLERID...

Skype E911 plug-in

Description: Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) positioning for Skype users that lets people know where you are calling from. Limited geographic coverage.

Where to get it: http://www.skyhookwireless.com/

hope i didnt just break ToS with mp3car, but i just wanted to show people that yes, you technically can get E911 service with skype...

Edit: Also, you can control Skype via voice commands with a $30 piece of software called "Audiomatic". You can then make it work better with skype with the Audiomatic Skype Plugin.