the eXternal mind

So I was procrastinating today… (you know where this is going)

Two things:
1. Soundboard - a device or a program that can play short audio clips sampled from pre-existing audio. This is usually a collection of clips from an actors voice. For instance, the kid in Home Alone used soundboards to play tricks on adults. A great collection of soundboards can be found at eBaums World or Soundboards.com.

2. Skype - a free internet telephony (VOIP) program which has recently made their SkypeOut service free until the end of this year (meaning that you can call US/Canada landlines without charge).

Combine #1 and #2 to call phones with skype and have fun surprising the victim with the soundboard. However, the problem is getting the soundboard to output to the input of Skype. To do this, open up the volume control and select the recording control (Options->Properties). Then after you call the person using Skype, you have to check the box under Wave Out Mix (or something similarly named) and make sure you drag the volume for it down or else the volume will be distorted and too loud. Remember, you have to check the Wave Out Mix after you make the call since Skype defaults to the Microphone checkbox. If you forget this step, the receiver on the other end won’t hear anything.

Have fun!