I use Skype in addition to several media players. Initially I had problems with pulseaudio installed. I removed it with Yast. Skype now works without problems, except that I cannot record both sides of a conversation. I have read many of oldcpu’s postings in which he promotes the use of pulseaudio and pavucontrol. I respect his expertise and would like to try working with them. What files should I back up to be able to return to my working configuration in case the experiment fails? Thanks.
On 07/13/2011 11:06 AM, ionmich wrote:
>
> Skype now works without problems, except that I cannot record both sides of a
> conversation.
is it legal in your land to record another person without their
knowledge? it is illegal in most ‘civilized’ places…
in other words, it might not be an accident that you can record only one
side… (note: i don’t know if it is an intentional limitation, or
not…but, in all cases you need to not break any laws you are not
willing to do the time for…)
openSUSE®, the BMW® of operating systems!
This is an interesting question which requires several answers.
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My question does not in any way imply that I am recording “another person without their knowledge.”
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To the best of my knowledge it is legal if both parties to a telephone conversation have been made aware that a recording will be made. Either one has the option of disconnecting.
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I do not know if a Skype-to-Skype call can be properly defined as a “telephone conversation” and subject to telephone conversation recording restrictions.
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In my case I am able to record the incoming signal but not my own voice via microphone. I do not believe that I need permission to record my own voice. I don’t think Skype intended to protect the other party by blocking my voice.
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In Mexico, one of my ‘civilized’ places, I am frequently called by an automated caller that records my answers without notifying me that I am being recorded. Since they are in all cases licensed businesses, I assume that it is legal.
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When I call some of my personal service providers in any of my “lands” (banks, telephone companies, ticket offices, ad nauseum), I am frequently asked by an automated telephone switcher to select a service by spoken name. I have never been notified that I am being recorded.
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I would appreciate it if some international legal expert would advise me as to the criminality of calling someone on a Skype-to-Skype call, notifying that person that I am recording the call and then recording it. If it is a crime then I am prepared to be tried, found guilty and serve the time.
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My question remains unanswered.
Thanks for the speedy reply.
On 07/13/2011 05:36 PM, ionmich wrote:
>
> 8. My question remains unanswered.
like i said: “i don’t know if it is an intentional limitation, or
not”…BUT since you now add that it is your own voice which is not able
to be recorded, then i guess it certainly is not a Skype imposed
limitation…huh?
so, i’m neither a skype nor pulse audio guru…the only pulse guru i
know here is oldcpu…maybe now that he knows it is your voice that is
not being picked up he can help you . . .
but, maybe he also wants to know which operating system, version,
32/64?, desktop environment and sound chips your hardware uses…
–
DD
Caveat-Hardware-Software
openSUSE®, the BMW® of operating systems!
Of course you are correct.
Suse 11.4, 32 bit, K.D.E. 4.6.0.
E: ID_VENDOR_FROM_DATABASE=Silicon Integrated Systems [SiS]
E: ID_MODEL_FROM_DATABASE=AC'97 Sound Controller
E: ID_BUS=pci
E: ID_VENDOR_ID=0x1039
E: ID_MODEL_ID=0x7012
Please excuse my ignorance. Does the hardware determine “what files should I back up to be able to return to my working configuration in case the experiment fails?”
Thanks for the continued assistance.
On 07/14/2011 11:36 AM, ionmich wrote:
> Please excuse my ignorance. Does the hardware determine “what files
> should I back up to be able to return to my working configuration in
> case the experiment fails?”
sorry, i went back and reread your initial post more closely
(admittedly, i first focused on the legal issue and the possibility it
raised as to recording another and what Skype might have done to
protect themselves from being drawn in as a co-conspirator)…
so, no i guess the specific hardware you are using probably would not
affect the files you need to save to insure yourself the ability to
return to today’s (pre-experiment) state…
the minimum files i’d think you need to save are, all of ~/.* and,
hmmmmm, some stuff from /etc but i wouldn’t know what you could skip…
i’d say save at least /etc/pulse, /etc/sound and /etc/sysconfig …
hmmmm, maybe some other stuff…if it were me i’d have all of /home and
/etc in a safe place…
well, the only way to be very sure you have what you need is to have a
full system backup of everything (except /dev, /proc, /sys, and the
directory where your external media is mounted)
> Thanks for the continued assistance.
and, now i mention one more time: i am not a pulse/sound guru, and my
feelings will not be hurt if you ask for another opinion…
and, please read my caveat prior to experimenting…
–
DD
Caveat-Hardware-Software
openSUSE®, the BMW® of operating systems!
I’ve never removed nor disabled pulse, so I can’t unfortunately offer any advice here wrt that. Typically when ever I remove anything, I keep a detailed record, either in my paper notebook (or I make a screen print) of exactly what I removed, so I can put back in place. Unfortunately that does not help you and I also can’t help there.
wrt the legal recording issue for Skype, I always tell family members if I am recording them. (and I’ve recorded on Skype occasionally - mainly my mother). When I do record, if she expresses dissatisfaction with being recorded, I stop and delete any recorded files. One does need to be careful here in my view, but its not illegal if handled properly.
Thanks to both of you for the advice. I will proceed with caution.