Access code
A numeric row of up to 8 digits that you can specify in the Who Am I configuration that works as a password protecting you from unwanted calls. Everyone who wishes to call you, should specify this code so that he/she is allowed to dial you.

Activation key
This is a unique combination of letters and figures that turns the IRIS Phone trial version into a time-unlimited officially registered copy. To order an activation key, choose the Activate command from the Help menu, complete and submit the form. As soon as your order is received, your IRIS Phone will be automatically activated and your Activation key will be sent to you by e-mail.

B

bps
Abbreviation for Bytes Per Second, measurement unit for data transmission speed.

C

Caller ID
Calling party recognition that allows you to see who is calling you and decide whether to answer or not.

Call processing
A predefined IRIS Phone reaction to an incoming call. It could be one of Auto Answer, Auto Reject or Ring, and could be specified for each of the phonebook lists. For users not included in any of these lists, the Default Call Processing is in effect. It is defined in the General configuration.

CODEC
Acronym for Compression/Decompression. That is a method for digitally compressing and decompressing data such as sound and video. Different IRIS Phone codecs compress data at different extents. The higher the compression, the faster the transmission, the poorer the quality.

D

Default call processing
This is the call processing that effects incoming calls from users not included in any Phone Book list. It could be defined in the General tab, IRIS Phone Configuration window.

Direct call
This is the process of calling a user without the need of selecting a name from the White Pages but by entering his / her name, e-mail or IP address.

F

File transfer
Enables you to exchange files with other users.

Firewall
This is a mechanism used for blocking or permitting network traffic. Most of the corporate LANs are protected by firewalls for security reasons.

fps
Abbreviation for Frames Per Second. This is a measurement unit for transmission frequency of video frames.

Full duplex
Simultaneous voice transmission from both ends of a connection. During full duplex conversation, both parties can talk at the same time. This is possible only if both parties use a full duplex sound card.

Full duplex echo cancellation
During full duplex operation, you can experience echo problems if you use speakers and microphone instead of a headset or earphones. You can listen to your voice transmitted back to you. The IRIS Phone full duplex echo cancellation option indicates to what extent should IRIS Phone eliminate this effect. If you are hearing your own words back, that means that the remote party should increase his full duplex echo cancellation or use a headset or earphones instead of speakers.

H

Hang up
End the current connection.

Half duplex
Unlike full duplex, half duplex allows voice transmission in one direction at a time only. Half duplex conversation is held when one or both parties use a half duplex sound card.

I

Internet access
A user has Internet access when he has TCP/IP protocol stack installed (WinSock.DLL) and has established a connection with his/her Internet provider.

L

Log
Where information about past events is stored.

M

Microphone sensitivity
The lowest speech level that IRIS Phone should process. During half duplex conversation, IRIS Phone will automatically recognize when you start and stop talking according to this setting.

Microphone volume
The amplifying level of your microphone which controls the volume of the perceived sound.

Mute
The state of blocking your microphone which is useful when you speak with a third party and do not want to be heard by the remote side.

Multiple call handling
The process of holding up to four different conversations simultaneously. None of the parties could guess that you are taking part in other conversations. In IRIS Phone, you can switch between them by clicking over the user's name. If, during your talk with party X, party Y says something, it will be stored and played to you when you switch back to Y. This feature is useful when, while holding a conversation, you receive a new incoming call. You can say a few words to the ringing person and then continue your initial conversation.

O

Online user
An IRIS Phone user who has established an Internet connection and started his / her IRIS Phone. You can call and converse with on-line users only.

P

Phonebook lists
These are lists where you organize the persons you speak most often with. Each list has its specific call processing that can be one of Auto Answer, Auto Reject or Ring.

Parental control
An option of restricting access to IRIS Phone. If you specify a password in the General tab, IRIS Phone Configuration window, IRIS Phone will ask you to enter this password in order to start the program.

R

Remote party / Remote side
The opposite side in a conversation.

S

Server (White Pages server)
Centralized database of all IRIS Phone users that any of them can access.

Speaker volume
The volume of the output sound coming through your speakers.

T

Talk mode
An IRIS Phone function that allows you to interrupt the remote party during half duplex conversation when he / she has been constantly talking.

TCP/IP
A set of Internet network protocols that allow computers to transmit and receive information across a network.

Text Chat
Keyboard messages exchanged between the parties in a conversation.

U

User
A person using IRIS Phone.

W

White Pages
The directory of all IRIS Phone users.

Whiteboarding
Allows you to share and edit drawings and photos

Winsock
The standard Windows TCP/IP programming interface. It comes in a file called winsock.dll.