Wow.  This is really useful stuff - there's a new term doing the rounds - SkypeCasting - Stuart along with Bill Campbell has figured out a way for podcasters to create great sounding audio recordings from interviews and conference calls using Skype.

I tried it out and it really works so well.  I must confess i had a few setup problems - i first printed out the "recipe" and i tried to follow it perfectly.  Obviously i didn't and so i had to redo the whole process.  Well worth it.  My advice to anyone who wants to get Skypecasting is to follow the detailed instructions to the very last letter, and not skip anything. 

And i learnt some new things during the process - how to set up and use system restore and multiple user accounts on  my PC, and how to insert blank tapes into the sound recorder.  Now i need to figure out the last leg - am looking for a good Wav to MP3 convertor so i can link up my own first SkypeCast !

I'm thinking applications here.  Stuart has listed some at his post :

"Professional interviews are a prime example. Makes it easier to write up your notes later while you can completely focus your attention on the interview. Then we have the equivalent of "panel" discussions. The mini conference call fueled by good chatter and a great topic. Perhaps you are a budding poet wanting to spread a reading to a small group? Want to send a joint message or birthday greeting where the parties are dispersed, record a Skype conference call and e-mail the mp3. Similarly, finishing up a conference call --- create a simple 5 minute SkypeCast of the key action points. Blog it to your group. An hour in five minutes. It's over to you now. Tell us how you use it"

The most immediate one that comes to mind is linked to my work as a researcher - i could now conduct interviews in locations outside Bombay this way and not worry about sound quality (because Skype has excellent sound) and about keeping a record of the interview for analysis. Another i can think of is for couples separated by distance recording and storing conversations for those lonely hours - dangerous huh? 

What applications would you use it for?  Or can you think up for this? 

Must also figure how it will work with SkypeOut to record conversations where i make calls to landlines or cellphones using SkypeOut. And whether you can record fade-in and fade-out music too ... now that would make a great SkypeJockey !