Introduction
"Live" means real direct conversations through an Internet phone, with desktop sharing - so it will be nearly like if I was standing beside you. Now you might be wondering what makes me competent to offer you this service: don't forget that I am originally a professional webmaster and designer, I build websites for a living, which means I perform this kind of tasks on a daily basis, and I'm used to teaching my clients how to manage their websites.
All you need is a microphone - preferably a headset if you have one - your computer and a free application which you can download and set up within 10 minutes. This is a free Internet phone application with desktop sharing capabilities - I show you my screen, you show me yours, and I can guide you.
Getting ready
Technically speaking, this will be done with the softphone Jitsi. Its particularity is that it allows desktop sharing, so I can show you my screen, and you can show me yours. The procedure to get it up and running is described below, it may seem long because I am detailing it but it should not require more than 5 to 10 minutes maximum.
Jitsi, free Internet phone
1) Downloading and installing Jitsi
Jitsi is a free universal Internet phone. There are versions for windows, MacOS, and different Linux distributions. Go here: http://jitsi.org/index.php/Main/Download and pick the version that suits your system among the list of files for Jitsi 1.0 Stable build line (do NOT pick one from the "nightly builds" list).
The installation procedure depends on your operating system, most of the time one only needs to click or double-click on the downloaded file and follow the instructions.
Once Jitsi is installed and started, it may only show up as an icon near your clock - in which case all you have to do is to double-click on it to have the main window show up.
During its first start, you will be presented with a window offering you to set up several different types of accounts - like MSN, Yahoo, Google Talk and such. Close that window, this is not what we are going to use.
Setting up Jitsi
2) Setting up Jitsi
The next instructions all take place into Jitsi's options window, which you can call by going into the menu Tools -> Options.
Jabber: creating a new account
Accounts: you will need a free Jabber account - this account can be created directly from within Jitsi, nothing's easier. For this, click the Add button. A new window will pop up (like the picture on the left), set the account type as "Jabber" (it may also show up as "XMPP", this is the same thing) and fill in the user name and password fields. Of course, you should put your own user name there. Click "Add" and you should be done! You will be returned to the options window, with a new account in it, and that account should be marked "Available", confirming you are now connected with the service.
Jitsi: disabling the unnecessary encodings
Audio: Your sound settings should automatically be detected, but you can check them there. Also make sure your microphone isn't muted (through your system's mixer or sound configuration dialog, this isn't done in Jitsi).
Now go to the Encoding tab. You want to disable most encodings, except for those three:
- PCMU/8000
- PCMA/8000
- G722/16000
The other encodings are not necessary and can lead to problems if too many of them are selected. So it's best to disable those you don't need.
That's about it! You should be good to go.
Rates
Now that you have Jitsi up and running you will be able to add me to your contacts (menu File / Add new contact): freeway2wealth@jit.si - note that this is NOT an e-mail address although it does look like one so don't try to send an e-mail there... Before you can call me, you will have to wait for me to accept your contact request, so my name in your list of contacts will show "Waiting for authorization" for some time: this is normal. I usually accept every new contact request within a few hours. Once accepted you will be able to call me.
If you have trouble setting it up simply post here to let me know. It might seem like a little bit of work at first, but the point is, if I can see your screen and you can see mine, it will be easier for me to help you.
The first 30 minutes are offered for free so we can have a first contact and make sure everything works fine. I can provide this service in French and English and possibly in Spanish too but my level of Spanish isn't quite as good as my level of English so I can't make any promise there.
| Duration |
30 minutes |
1H |
5H |
| Individual |
$20 |
$30 |
$120 |
| Group* (cost per participant, max 5) |
$14 |
$21 |
$84 |
*: this feature remains to be tested, I have only done 1 on 1 sessions until now.
Request an appointment
The procedure to get started is fairly simple: post a comment right here, telling me of your needs, and your preferred timing (please take into account the fact that we don't necessarily live in the same part of the world, so you need to mention your time zone). If you'd rather make contact in private, please create an account and then send me a PM. Also, another option if you have already installed Jitsi would be add me to your contacts and then call me at the address freeway2wealth@jit.si (do not forget that this is NOT an e-mail address, consider this as a "phone number"). Talking of phones, if necessary, my professional phone number is (33)(0)1 76 64 12 80.
This website is in English only so please use English in your posts. When contacting me in private, you may use English, French or Spanish.
Of course I expect you to have Jitsi up and running, if you have any difficulty with it, just post here to let me know of your problem, I'll be happy to help you.
If you're lucky and I'm available right now then why not, but chances are I am not. I can be quite flexible, and I don't mind working at 1AM or 2AM if required (I live near Paris in France so working through the night is often the only way for me to be available for the American people for example).
