Several folks have let me know that they're okay with trying Google +. Many of us have already started linking together on the service. I am placing everyone from our group in a unique circle, for simplicity. It also should help to make the use of "hangout" (their answer to Skype) both easier and more private.
I'm reading reviews of the service. Bottom line: Hangout gets much higher marks than Skype and other services because it's free, (fairly) easy to use, and relatively more reliable than other similar services.
A few links to the reviews that I've read, just in case anyone wants to read up on this.
Skype, Hangouts, Adobe and Go-to-Meeting comparison.
5 reasons why Google Hangouts tops Skype
A Skype user shifts loyalty to Hangout
My understanding is that "Hangout on Air" is optional. If we don't choose this, no one else will know or have access to our meeting.
If you have indicated that you want to be involved in the "Skype" meetings (we need to start calling them "hangout meetings") you're going to need to open a google account. It's easy to do. Just head to gmail to get started. I hope that's not a deal breaker for anyone.
Here's one more link, for those of you with too much time on your hands...
Step by step directions for Hangout
Rob,
ReplyDeleteThank you for researching this! People have been raving about Google +, but I know nothing about it right now. I DO have an account and will try to learn more about it before our next handout.
As always, thank you for your dedication and commitment to keeping us in touch... it's so important.
Karen