chess lessons and skype

Ok. I gave up otb chess because I couldn't figure these digital clocks out.

Embarassing admission number 2: I have no idea what this whole Skype is about. I downloaded it. But I have no microphone or headset. I have no idea what I should purchase in either aspect. I have Windows 7 and a fast, reliable ethernet conncection to the net. So that is not na issue.

But if I ever wanted to get lessons with a coach on this site using skype, this would all be an issue.

One more thing. I wear glasses 24 7. So how that effects my ability to get a headset I don't know.

I don't need top of the range. Just something that works and isn't faint or straining to listen to. I was brought up with Duran Duran, Adam and the Ants and ET. So I am getting a bit old for skype technology.

Thank you.

Hi,

I doubt you're too much older than I am and I managed to figure skype out, so probably anyone can!  It's pretty easy and I use skype every week to do a chess lesson.  I live and work in Afghanistan and my coach lives in New Jersey.

Using skype is no different than using chess.com; once you download and set it up you'll have to establish a user name/password.  Once you have your chess coach, you can request his or her user name and you send a contact request.  Once it's been accepted,you're ready to go.  Over time, you'll see there are numerous other options with skype which you may or may not want to explore.  As long as you both have skype addresses, its use is free.

Don't worry about the glasses.  I suggest you go to Radio Shack or Best Buy and just ask someone to advise you on a headset with microphone.  Almost all of them will work with glasses.

Hope this helps,

John

Yes. Also some desktop computers and/or laptops have an internal mic already built in them.

For the headset, all you really need would be to get some earbuds that fit into your ears...nothing else required. Just plug in the chord to the usb port, place the buds in each ear and you're ready to rock. 

And although not required for the coaching, if you wanted to video chat, for face to face conversation, you can pick up a cheap web cam for around $20 at walmart. 

A few benefits of using skype are the recording features...both text and audio. (This means you can review content later to make sure you have a firm grasp on what you covered.)

You can also "share a screen" where you can view the screen of the person you're talking with as they see it in real time, you know from their point of view.

It's really nothing to it. You already did the hardest part which was downloading and installing it. 

OK. That's great! Thank for that. In my country it's probably Dick Smith though rather than Best Buy!!!!!