Using The Switchboard: The Host Caller

This lesson describes the Switchboard functionality for the Host Caller

The first line in your caller list is always the Host call, if it is connected. That's you! You can use the host caller area to control your presence in the live, or screening conferences, as well as being able to mute your host audio.

 

 

1. Host Name and Caller ID Number

In the first part of the Host Caller display, you will see the Host Name and Caller ID number, if available. The Host call is always designated in the Studio application as "Host."

 

 

2. Host Caller Controls - The Live Button

To the right of the Host Caller name and Caller ID (when available), you will see the three controls you have for the host caller. The first is the Live button.

The Live button represented by a microphone - when this button is active and lit up as shown above, it means you are live on the air! Anything you say into your phone or your Skype audio connection will be heard by your audience. You will be placed into Live mode by default, when you call in to start your conference.

 

 

3. Host Caller Controls - The Mute Button

The Mute button represented by a microphone with a slash through it. When you click this button to make it active, it will light up as shown. When the Mute button is active, your phone, microphone, or other Skype audio connection device is muted - your callers will not be able to hear any sounds from your conference connection.

 

 

4. Host Caller Controls - The Screen Button

The Screen button is represented by a yellow "speech bubble." Clicking this button will place the host call into the private screening conference, and light up the button as shown.

The private screening conference is for you to talk privately with your guests - callers in the screening conference are NOT heard on the live webcast, nor in the on demand audio file of a past episode. Only the callers that are in the screening conference with you will be able to hear you.

Note that each guest caller you want to place into the private screening conference must also have the Screen button activated!

Private Screening is a Premium Feature, you will not be able to use this with a free account. This feature is described in more detail in the Using The Switchboard: Private Screening Conference section.