RogiLife.Com

Recently I have started using Skype again, as I now have several hours a week of foreign languages lessons and I do them directly with the languages teacher ‘live’ via Skype. (This is a great method for learning languages incidentally, and I have more to say about that in another post).

I was looking today for a way to record the hour-long Skype conversations, so I could replay them if I needed to remind myself about specific language techniques, or uses, and so on, that came up during any of the lessons. Having not used Skype for a while I was surprised to see that it still has no call recorder built-in, but, well, it doesn’t (at least not on my Mac version) so it was a case of searching for third party software.

I found this; Ecamm Network’s Call Recorder. It’s Mac-only, which is fine by me as I’m Mac-only too, and I used the trial version of this software today for the first time.

It works well. I set it to automatically record all calls longer then five seconds (the default time) at ‘low’ quality, and waited to see if it did it’s thing as it was supposed to.

It did. Perfectly.

I ended up, after a one hour Skype conversation – audio only, though it records video too, so it says, though I haven’t tried that – with a 115Mb .mov file [update: 22Mb after using the supplied 'Convert For Internet' software] containing a flawless recording. I’m not sure why that setting is called ‘low quality’ as it does not sound low quality, it’s extremely clear. Next time I’ll set it to high quality and see what the difference is (other than a presumably significantly bigger .mov file).

The free (fully functional) trial lasts for seven days and then the software is $14.95USD to buy. Assuming that it always works as well as it did today, that’s a bargain, and my 15 bucks will be heading Ecamm’s way in a few days.

If you want to record Skype (and video) calls, and are on a Mac, check it out. Ecamm Network Call Recorder.  FAQ.

Update: I hadn’t noticed this function when I wrote the above;

Call Recorder makes it easy convert your QuickTime movies into MP3 files. Simply drag a recorded QuickTime movie to the “Convert to MP3″ icon and it will create an instant MP3 file out of your movie, which can then be emailed or posted to a website.

So that functionality also now goes onto the ‘things to try’ list.

As much a note to myself as anything else, Mac OS X Security Update 2009-001 is available and should be installed.

At the time of posting I have the notification showing in software update, but I have not yet run it as after reading this post regarding a few startup problems caused by the update I think I might just hold off for a couple of days to check that nothing too untoward is likely to happen*.

*I have never yet had a problem with a security update in all of the years that I have been doing them, but there is always a first time for everything, as they say.

“Ever wonder where all those hours went? Blossom shows what apps, documents, and folders you’ve been using, encouraging you to spend time on the ones you need to. Meet your goals and watch your virtual plant Blossom!”

I just noticed Blossom, an interesting looking application for OS X over on My Dream App. It’s worth having a look at (and a vote for IMHO).

“Many people we know have had their Macs stolen, often in ‘safe’ situations. That’s why we developed Undercover: a unique theft-recovery application designed from the ground up for Mac OS X.”

Another Mac link, mostly for me this one as I’m going to give this anti-theft software a try. Remote monitoring of where the stolen machine and the thief are has to be an interesting idea.

“Productivity, both at home and at work, is something everyone would like to increase, and Mac users have a plethora of applications that can help you do just that. Below is a list of 10 apps that can help you increase your productivity. From burning disk images, to managing your time, giving your mouse and Apple Remote additional, time saving, functionality, and much, much more.”

I don’t have or need right now any of the ten apps listed other than the indispensable Quicksilver, but a link to the list is worth keeping.