Сергей Лебедев
The best software for online calls or how to fix bad connection Hi, everyone. I usually use Skype for talking to my online teachers. But sometimes the connection becomes so terrible and frustrating that it sounds like an old and obsolete radio receiver. I would appreciate any suggestions from the honorable audience about some alternatives to Skype. Please share your positive experience of fixing the problem of bad connection and using some other software apart Skype.
May 27, 2018 3:24 AM
Comments · 16
2
Unfortunately, Skype doesn't allow to control the quality of the video, tuning the connection by degrading the amount of data in the video stream. The program "ooVoo" allows doing that.
But the described use case is not your problem as you've fully switched video off.
I would suggest in your case revising the health of your system generally: 
do you have enough free RAM? 
enough space on hard-drive? 
what is the network traffic and how much is that in comparison with your maximum?

Actually, the problem could be if those not too smart guys still trying to fight Telegram, destroying the Internet in Russia.
You know, that download speed could be very different if you connected to some domestic server or to the overseas servers.
May 27, 2018
2
Perhaps Sype Support Team is reading my italki publications? The connection was perfect today.
May 27, 2018
2

If the call quality on Skype isn't good, you can turn off your video.  That usually improves the sound quality.  Also, if you hang up and then call the person again, the connection usually improves.  A bad connection on Skype seems to be due to the really poor internet connection of one of the people talking.

I haven't really used anything other than Skype.

May 27, 2018
1
I have used Viber with Russian students and it usually works well.  I have used Google Hangouts with Saudi students and I have even used WhatsApp with students that I have known a long time and feel comfortable giving my phone number to.
May 28, 2018
1
Popularity is also an issue that may concern you greatly. If your teacher or language partners were not used to (or fond of) a branch of application software, I cannot see why you can persuade them to adopt the application with you. That is a very fact you have to take into account. 
May 28, 2018
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Сергей Лебедев
Language Skills
English, Russian
Learning Language
English
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