Every day we offer FREE licensed software you’d have to buy otherwise.
Skype Recorder was available as a giveaway on May 17, 2010!
Skype Recorder is a surprisingly easy-to-use tool for recording Skype audio conversations. It is really simple to create a new recording. All you need is to run Skype Recorder.
The software will start recording as soon as you start talking on Skype. The conversation over, Skype Recorder will encode the recording to the specified format and will save the ready file on your hard drive. Due to the built-in audio player, you will be able to listen to the recording in no time and do whatever you like – delete it, move or upload to the site.
Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/2003 Server/XP/Vista/7; Skype
2.92 MB
$18.95
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When recording a conversation, if the conversation is disconnected, the recording stops and the file is created. This was a problem during a bad Skype session when we were disconnected many times. I wish the Skype Recorder would continue to record, allow me to pause the recording, reconnect the with the lost party, and then continue recording (on the same file).
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After the last several days of trying to prevent Skype Recorder from loading everytime I turn on my XP machine(s), I finally uninstalled it using Revo Uninstaller. That revealed the following key which I suspect was not getting updated whenever I chose the option to NOT load Skype Recorder on computer startup:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run/Skype Recorder - "C\Program Files\Skype Recorder\Skype Recorder.exe"
Instead Skype Recorder kept loading every time on every account on all my machines. It seems to be an obvious bug. I tried toggling the option/preference setting while logged into various accounts besides the administrator account I used to install it.
The problem was worst on my little Acer One-Note netbook (with atom processor) where it was using about 40% CPU simply lurking in the background, significantly affecting performance. It had less of an impact on my other machines, but still was "disobeying orders" to NOT load on startup. At least it did follow the option setting of whether or not to start minimized.
Without Skype itself installed and running I don't know how well Skype Recorder would have functioned to automatically start/stop recording audio, but others report it works fairly well. I simply didn't get that far. Perhaps the lack of Skype itself is part of the problem, but I don't think so -- it still should not load on startup if that option was not chosen.
I hope they fix this problem in their next edition.
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Seems to ignore the option choice to NOT load on computer startup. Starts up and loads no matter what. This is true across multiple machines. Have to keep manually quitting it after it appears in the system tray (which, as mentioned above, takes a while).
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Software: meh. good for free but not worth buying, as others indicated.
Legal: In Canada, it is illegal to record a conversation of any kind (phone, skype, whatever) unless at least one of the participants is aware of the recording. All parties do not need to be informed of the recording. So you can call someone and record it secretly if you are a participant in the conversation.
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Installed on an XP machine but it did not work properly. Tried to uninstall using the provided uninstaller but it won't go away, and still pops up when booting the PC. Can I just delete the directory in program files and say good bye to it?
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The one more good skype recorder is IMCapture for Skype. I use it in my PC at home and in my job.
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Tried to install on XP/MCE machine when logged in as normal user. Installer insisted on being Administrator.
Logged into an Administrator-privileged account and installed and ran without errors. Program defaults to output directory “C:\Documents and Settings\'Admin'\My Documents\Skype Call Recordings”
(...where ‘Admin’ would be replaced by my own Administrator-privilege account which I did not wish to display here!)
Noted that the Start Menu program folder was installed under “All Users”. Logged in as a normal user again and tried to run it, but got the following error message box when Skype Recorder started up in that non-admin user account:
TITLE: Skype Recorder
SYMBOL: yellow triangle with “!”
MESSAGE: Run-time error ‘52′: Bad file name or number
BUTTON: OK
After pressing OK error message box and Skype Recorder window disappeared.
Switched back to the Admin account, ran Skype Recorder again, and changed settings so that output directory was set to a shared “All Users” folder: “C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Skype Call Recordings”.
Switched back to the “normal user” account, and Skype Recorder now runs OK without an error message.
NOTE: Runs OK, but slow to appear after launch (about 45 seconds on any of my machines of various ages/speeds). Skype itself not running, so perhaps this is why? Also slow to exit/quit — again, about 45 seconds to disappear from off screen. Why so pokey?
Also noted that multiple instances of Skype Recorder could be launched by this user (and showing up in the task bar) due to the slow response of it to appear and mistakenly thinking nothing was happening. Probably not a good idea to allow multiple instances.
Verdict - promising, but needs more development.
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After playing some more and rebooting it now appears that if you activate the software from the desktop shortcut it will call and start Skype and will record properly. It will show in the taskbar after the call starts.
Closing down Skype though does not close down software recorder so if you exit Skype and then restart it again through the desktop shortcut for Skype Recorder you will have two instances of the recorder running.
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It is a pity that the debate focuses on aspects which have little to do with the software itself. Is it any good on W7? So far I have only seen one post which says it crashes on W7. Have others expereinced that also?
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Why not just type "recorder" in your start menu and record anything you like? Also there are many free sound recorders that will record your mike or soundcard. Try audacity. Simple things like recording sounds like we used to do on an ordinary tape recorder sure got complicated! If you feel you are breaking the law, then think about all the libraries in the united states that used to stock media and have recording equipment available. I made many tapes recordings on US military bases in the library in the past. I don't know about now. If you hear sound your brain is even a recorder of sorts if you repeat what you hear. Anyways..a recorder is a simple thing...
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This is a great piece of software. As for comments, people should not make comments they're not sure about. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! For example:
#40, Patrick said:
2. As is the case in the US -where Federal Legislation has priority over State Legislation(s), allowing each state to impose it’s own laws within the bounderies set by Federal Law-
This is absolutely untrue. As a Constitutional Law specialist, I can tell you that there are only 17 cases in which the United States (federal government) can trump the laws of the Several (Separate) States. This is NOT one of those. Each of the 50 states within the United States makes it's own laws regarding legalities in communications procedures which are not part of interstate commerce.
"Federal Legislation" never takes priority over "State Legislation(s)" sic. If you live in the United States, PLEASE read the United States Constitution. It is the ONLY thing that stands between you and tyranny. For this particular case, I suggest reading the 9th and 10th Amendments first (which takes much less than ONE MINUTE!) then read the entire document. - AGAIN, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
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An earlier version was given away on Sep 27th 2007.
(I.e. back in mental childhood for some of those debating about the lawfulness of this software almost like barristers - just my impression.)
You may want to visit http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/skype-recorder/#more-1908
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Oops, should have said, I'm using windows xp
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I have installed the software as explained. It shows it to be properly licened to Give Away of the Day. I test it using the Skype test call, and it does not record. Any suggestions?
- bri
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Laws in the US vary by state.
Some states have a 2-party notification law - i.e. BOTH parties in the conversation need to be aware that the call may be recorded. (which is why you hear the "this call may be recorded for quality assurance" messages)
Other states have a 1-party notification. As long as you know (which I would hope you would being that you are doing the recording LOL), the other party does not need to know.
Your mileage may vary.
I am not an attorney, nor did I sleep in a Holiday Inn last night. This is not legal advise ;)
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Interesting idea. But Audacity will do this for free every day, won't it.
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This software is very overpriced. Free alternatives work just as well or better.
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Can anyone compare and contrast this software with G-Recorder?
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Works as advertised. Installed easily and painlessly on Windows XP.
Works automatically no need to play with any settings. Recording works just fine.
Simple app, does what it's supposed to.
Only complaint was that I would like ot to be more integrated into the skype gui. As is now, there is a separate window instead of having it integrated into the skype screen - but perhaps this isn't possible.
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If it is illegal to record telecons then the Government must be exempt from Law then? Esp the American Government?
Useful & worthwhile download.
Works well for me but interface a bit dated.
Thanks GAOTD.
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I can vouch for Total Recorder. I've had it for 10 or more years, and personally met the programmer and company president at the time.
It records ANY sound coming in/out of a computer and does with with Skype.
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Was anyone able to get this to work under XP with the settings to NOT start when computer starts, and if they do not start it before Skype? It does not seem like Skype can autostart it.
The only way it works for me is if I start it and have it running minimized BEFORE I start Skype.
Also what is the file that it is writing at the start of the session with the name starting -1.
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It seems the question of whether this software is legal is clouding whether it is worthwhile. A little clarification about the legality of recording calls in the U.S.
If you were to place an outbound call and record it without the other person's permission, that would be illegal. However, if you are recording an INBOUND call (one that someone placed to your number) that is NOT illegal, and you DON'T need their permission, nor are you required to tell them you are doing so.
The same is true of obscenity. You can't place a call to someone (1-900 numbers not included) and start talking dirty without opening yourself to charges. You CAN, however, say anything you like to the telemarketer or anyone else who calls your home, and there is nothing they can do except hang up and elect not to call you back.
They modeled the law after the same set of standards as defending your home. I can't go out on the street and whack someone with a baseball bat, but I can do that to someone trying to get into my house, and I don't need their consent! :D
So the end result is that most people who use this software:
1) will not be using it for anything other than personal reference
2) will not likely be using it in court
3) are chatting on Skype with friends more often than not
4) could still use it without breaking any laws.
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PS. I meant I have the Standard Edition of Total Recorder, NOT Basic Edition.
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Will Total Recorder also record the calls, for any of you that may have it? I have Total Recorder, and it's great for recording almost anything that comes thru your sound card, but wondering if it will record both sides of the conversation. Here is their site:
http://www.highcriteria.com/
The "basic" but great version is a buck less that today's Giveaway. I bought Total Recorder perhaps 8 or 9 years ago when it was only $11, and still get free upgrades and support. I have no need at this time to use Skype for phone calls, and don't have Skype, so I can't test today's Giveaway. Perhaps the GOTD team can persuade High Criteria (Total Recorder) to do a Giveaway in the near future?
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I still use G-Recorder given out here a while ago.
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This software looks good but it doesn't work properly under windows 7 ultimate 32bit for me. it crashes and when I want to start the application it takes atleast 40 seconds to a minute to show up closing it takes the same amount of time. I thank the team from GOTD for this software but it's full of bugs that needs to be fix maybe the developers of the software can take our feedback and make it better now.
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Hi,
Re. legal issues.
1. I tend to agree with Val #16 : "Please leave feedback on the software, not on legality issues." Want to start a thread on the Forums, Val? Anyone else? I'm sorry not to do so myself. I'm over my head in Belgian Constitutional Law and upcoming elections right now.
Still... Can't help myself writing this. Sorry guys :-)
2. As is the case in the US -where Federal Legislation has priority over State Legislation(s), allowing each state to impose it's own laws within the bounderies set by Federal Law- there is a body of European Legislation that prevails over each National Law. A nation that does not comply gets sanctioned. So there may be -and certainly are- rather important differences between bodies of National Law in the European Union. Consulting your state's or county's laws is the only safe thing to do.
3. Also keep in mind that the "letter of the law" is fundamentally different from "the spirit of the law".
4. Furthermore, some countries attach higher priority to precedents than others wich allow for a limmited form of precedent law only. E.g.: in Belgium judges are autonomous in their decissions and are by no means bound by precedents while, at the same time, they have the freedom to take precedents into consideration. In the UK however precedent law is much more binding.
About the software:
I'm not on Skype but my Mom is. Perhaps she'll be interrested in Skype Recorder. I'm going to download it anyway (17 or so hours to go...) for possible future use. Comments here are rather positive, so...
Greetz,
Patrick.
[16:19 GMT+1]
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Sheesh! Is this comment thread about a software program, or a bar exam for the World Court? Accept full responsibility for ANY tool you use, whether it's a piece of software, a knife, a poison, or a rifle! Illegality lies in intent and consequences of use - not inherent in a particular item itself! 'Nuff said about that!
I've long awaited a freebie that will record Skype calls, as I'm involved with training via Skype, with sessions often exceeding 2 hours in length. I have the permission of the trainers of the seminars I attend to record them, and give the same permissions to the sessions that I host as well (the Law of Reciprocity at work).
Looking forward to making good use of today's gift, and many thanks to the GOTD team for your attempts to secure quality offerings for us. I realize you guys can't always "knock it out of the park" every day, but your batting average is definitely way up there! (Apologies to non-US readers, who understand that last part about as much as I'm able to follow a Cricket commentary.)
At the risk of sounding self-serving, I'd like to invite those of you who want to learn about online marketing in a no-pitch, no-spam environment (an internet talk radio program dedicated to the subject) to click on my name in the signature below.
One last thing: I extend many thanks to Ashraf for his tireless (and rapid) evaluations of the software offered here. I admire the candor and objectivity he typically exercises in his reviews, and I weigh his opinions quite heavily when deciding which items to seriously look at, and which ones to leave on the shelf.
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For the past few days I have been getting an error "Failure to Connect" to the GAOTD sit for registration availability. Does anyone know why? Using W7 Ultimate.
Maybe an answer please.
Thanks for the availability or these apps. GAOTD Team
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#34 He said that possessing knives was not illegal, but he never said anything about carrying them...don't twist words to suite an argument. This is a good offer for those needing to remember details of a conversation.
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#4 You need to enable 'stereo mix' on your sound card
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If in Skype via Tools>Extras>Get Extras I do a search for "recorder" I get 10 hits. All for free additions. About 9 of them can record audio and at least 3 video too. Some have other functions too like answering machine or sound effects. Gives me a definite "It's been done" feeling.
BTW. For those donloading 3D Text a few days ago. I placed a link in the thread there allowing the download of a lot of extra textures in a zipped file. See: http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/binerus-3d-text/#comments . Comment #45
There are some in a by 3D Text unsupported .TGA (Targa) format. I used the Batch Conversion function in Irfanview to convert them to .PNG format.
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In the US, each State has its own Laws regarding the recording of conversations. All allow the recording if each party agrees. Most allow it if only one person is aware (that would be you). Oh, and knives ARE illegal to carry in some places #3.
I've been waitinf for this one. Looks much better than Pamela.
Thanks GAOTD team
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I use call graph and it works very well. Of course, it is free.
Guess I'll give this one a try.
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TYPO: "...able to record phone calls with AN option already built-in"
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This is the type of application I use to record podcasts and interviews.
Pamela (basic version) is free with Skype. The basic version will only record for 15 minutes. The major problem with Pamela, the remote parties levels usually have to be tweaked with another program so they don't sound as if they were in a locked closet during the interview.
The post production process usually takes at least twice as long as the original interview.
Skype Recorder installed without a problem on Vista. Just another tool to add to the toolbox :)
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1. All VHS / DVD recorders break TV copyright & their use is therefore techncally illegal. No one cares. If you want to record a call for covert reasons, its the action of doing so, not the device or software used, which has questionable legallity. Relax.
2. The free plug ins that come with Skype for recording (like PrettyMay or Pamela) have a 15 min limit (or you can upgrade at a cost). This is important to people like me who add value to 60 min paid phone consultations by offering the client a recording of the call to reveiw over and over later.
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does it work with magic jack too?
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Installed fine win 7 x 64 but will not allow change in folder where recording are stored??
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I used this software and it worked but after 3 min my computer froze and then I rebooted and it froze again. I have windows 7 Ultimate and a Intel i7.
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hi,
i have d/l and unzipped the app. when i run setup.exe i get a window saying "Failed to connect. Please try again later" does anyone know if things are just busy or is there a fault? i have d/l and tried twice.
great site GOTD - keep it up!!
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Sorry to be a pain but Skype is *NOT* a telephone. It is a computer software program same as MSN etc. Breaking out of Skype to make calls to traditional telephones is something that Skype themselves do, you don't. Therefore you are not recording a telephone conversation, just computer bytes.
As for use, it's no good for me since I only use VoIP via SIP providers.
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Oh, one more comment I forgot: The German Law says "...wer unbefugt...". This implies it is only punishable if you don't have the right to do so - so it is a poorly formulated law which would lead to loops of discussion referring to much of the telecommunication legislation.
If you want to use this for court or questionable uses, then be sure to get the other person's permission. If you are using it for personal use only, I doubt anyone is likely to challenge you. "Wo kein Klager, kein Richter"
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The software is good: It is small, it does what it says well, is easy to use, it is useful and Avira reports no viruses. Note that it does, however try to start itself with Windows, so have your WinPatrol or AnVir Task Manager etc. ready.
I checked out the German §201 STGB and I believe it is open to interpretation. Clearly, if the conversation is flagged as confidential, then it is illegal to record it. If not, the conversation could be considered public. I think this perception needs to be included in the above comments.
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I think it would be a great program to use when someone is teaching you something. Like I'm getting lessons over Skype and cannot remember everything that is being said, so in this instance, this software will be of great value to me. Of course, I will inform my tutor that he/she is being recorded; that would be an ego booster. Thank you GAOTD.
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thanks, GOTD! Been wanting this for a long time, but I'm to cheap to buy it :D
I wish there's also for mac....
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Skype, under "Tools" already offers at least 3 versions of this type of software, including one that records the video, so I'm not sure I see the need for this either (although I download and use many other GAOTD offerings).
As for the legality, you may also want to decide if what you are recording is even a "telephone" conversation. If you call Skype to phone or Skype to Skype, is that actually a "telephone" call...
And it seems true too that you should politely inform folks that they are being recorded, but unless you want to use this in court, um, it seems pretty unimportant otherwise.
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o.k. one more opinion:
In Germany it is illegal to record a telephone conversation without the permission of the other party.
Have a look at §201 STGB
Therefore the use of this program without permission of the caller is illegal!
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Good giveaway.
Many thanks.
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