About Netscape Conference

Netscape Conference provides you with the following real-time audio and data collaboration capabilities:

• In an audio conference, you can talk to colleagues in real-time around the world.
• In a chat session, you can post text messages back and forth (Chat tool).
• You can sketch on a collaborative whiteboard (Whiteboard tool).
• You can navigate the World Wide Web by means of a collaborative Web-browsing session (Collaborative Browsing tool).
• You can exchange or transfer data files (File Exchange tool).

The first time you run Conference, the Setup wizard launches and steps you through through the initial procedure to set up your business card, audio, and network configuration. You can also choose Setup Wizard from the Conference Help menu at any time to run this program.

Note: You don't have to have full audio capabilities in order to conduct a Conference session. You can still use the Whiteboard, File Exchange, Collaborative Browsing, and Chat tools.

Starting Netscape Conference

Starting Conference and placing a call is as easy as entering an email address, selecting a speed-dial number, searching the Web phonebook, or using Communicator's Address Book.  To launch Conference, click the Conference icon in your Communicator program folder, or choose Conference from the Communicator menu.

Note: In order to receive calls, Conference must be active. Likewise, in order for another party to receive a call from you, Conference must be running on their system.

Note: Unless you're planning to have an audio conversation, you don't have to have full audio capabilities in order to conduct a Conference session. You can use the Whiteboard, File Exchange, Collaborative Browsing, and Chat tools.

Summary

Making a Call

Searching the Phonebook

Calling from the Address Book

Creating and Editing Speed-Dial Numbers

Making a Call

Summary

1. In the Netscape Conference window, type the email address or the direct address/numerical IP address (in parentheses) of the person you want to call.
2. Click Dial.
3. When you are finished with the call, click Hang Up.

Details

Making a call is as easy as entering the party's email address, which utilizes the default DLS (Dynamic Lookup Service) server. Or, to bypass the DLS server, you can enter the direct address (that is, an IP address or fully qualified hostname).

When you place a call, Conference contacts the recipient's system and checks to see if Conference is running. If the recipient is running Conference and is not participating in another call, Conference sends an invitation to join your call. If the recipient accepts, you will be notified. If the party is not available, Conference prompts you to send a voicemail message.

Note: Unless you're planning to have an audio conversation, you don't have to have full audio capabilities in order to conduct a Conference session. You can still use the Whiteboard, File Exchange, Collaborative Browsing, and Chat tools.  However, if you 're planning to conduct an audio conversation, it's a good idea to adjust the audio levels of the Record and Playback Meters before you place a call.

To make a call:

1. Type either the email address or the direct address (in parentheses) of the party you want to contact in the Netscape Conference window.
• An email address looks like this: someone@netscape.com
• A direct address looks like this: (205.218.156.44) or (myhost.com)
Tip: You can also choose Direct Dial from the Call menu and enter the direct address in the dialog box that appears.
2. Click Dial, or choose Dial from the Call menu.

The Pending Invitation dialog appears, and displays the other party's name while it informs you of the status of the pending call. You can click Cancel to terminate the call at this point.
Note: If the other party declines your invitation or is not available, you will be prompted as to whether you wish to send a voicemail message.
Once the call connects, Conference displays the other party's business card photo or logo (or the Netscape Conference logo, if no photo is available) on the right side of the Netscape Conference window (on Mac OS, this is displayed in a separate caller window).
3. Select one or more tools to use for your Conference session: Chat, Whiteboard, File Exchange, or Collaborative Browsing.

For an audio conversation, click the microphone button to begin talking (on Mac OS, click the Talk button). Adjust the volume controls if necessary (click the speaker button to make sure you're hearing sound).
4. When you're finished with the call, click Hang Up or choose Hang Up from the Call menu.

See Also

Adjusting Audio Levels

Sending Voicemail

About the Whiteboard Tool

About the Chat Tool

About the File Exchange Tool

About the Collaborative Browsing Tool

Calling from the Address Book

Summary

1. Click the Address Book button or choose Address Book from the Communicator menu (on Mac OS, choose Address Book from the Tools menu).
2. Select the person's address.
3. Click the Call button.

Details

To call from the Address Book window:

1. Select the person you want to call.

Make sure the person is set up in your address book as a Conference call recipient by clicking the Netscape Conference tab in the Address Card Card dialog and entering the DLS server or IP address.
2. Click the Call button.

Searching the Web Phonebook

Summary

1. Click the Web Phonebook button (on Mac OS, choose Web Phonebook from the Tools menu).
2. Click the conference link next to the address of the person you wish to call.
3. In the Netscape Conference window, click Dial to place the call.

Details

To search for a user in the Web Phonebook:

1. Click the Web Phonebook button in the Netscape Conference window (on Mac OS, choose Web Phonebook from the Tools menu).

A listing of the users who have chosen to be published in the phonebook appears.
2. Double-click the name of the person you want to call.
3. In the Netscape Conference window, click Dial to place a call.

Searching Additional Phonebooks

Publishing Your Name and Address

Creating and Editing Speed-Dial Numbers

Summary

• Right-click on a Speed Dial button (Windows and Unix only).
• Choose numbers 1 to 6 on the SpeedDial menu and then choose Edit.
• If you're in a call, choose Replace from the SpeedDial menu to store the current caller's information.

Details

To create or edit a speed-dial number:

1. Click one of the numbered buttons in the Netscape Conference window (Windows and Unix only), or choose numbers 1 to 6 on the SpeedDial menu.
2. In the Edit Speed Dial dialog box, enter the name, email address, DLS server name, or direct address (such as an IP or hostname) of the conference participant.

Note: The minimum required information you need to enter is Name, Email, and DLS Server, or Name and Direct Address.
3. Click OK.

About the Edit Speed Dial dialog box

Name

Email

DLS Server

Direct Address

• An example of an IP address is: 205.218.156.44
• An example of a fully-qualified hostname is: mycomputer.myhost.com

---

About the Direct Call Dialog Box

• An example of an IP address is: 205.218.156.44
• An example of a fully qualified hostname is: mycomputer.myhost.com

Sending Voicemail

Summary

• Choose Voice Mail from the Conference Communicator menu.

Details

If the party you're calling doesn't respond or otherwise rejects your invitation, Conference prompts you to send a voicemail message. You can also send a voicemail message directly by choosing Voice Mail from the Conference Communicator menu.

Note: In Windows 3.1, voicemail is not available, but you can send email directly by choosing Voice Mail from the Conference Communicator menu. Communicator opens the Message Composition window where you can type your message.

To send a voicemail message:

1. In Conference, choose Voice Mail from the Communicator menu.
2. Enter the email address of the other party in the dialog box that appears and click OK.

You see the Voice Mail dialog box, with buttons resembling those on a typical cassette recorder.
3. Record your message (up to 4 minutes) and then click Send.

You see a Communicator Message Composition window that contains the voicemail attachment icon.
4. Type any text you want to include with the voicemail, and then click Send.

About the Voice Mail Dialog Box

• Click the Record button (the red circle) when you're ready to record your message.
• When you're finished recording, click the Stop button (the square).
• Click Play (the triangle) to listen to the message.
• Click Send to proceed to the Communicator Message Composition window, where you can type any text you want to send along with the voicemail.

About the Voice Mail Preferences Dialog Box

• At Default Voice Mail Subject, enter the text you want to use as the subject title for all your voicemail messages.
• At Maximum Length, enter a number (up to 4 minutes). This is the time period after which Conference will automatically stop recording. Tip: If you need to keep the size of the voicemail attachment under 100KB, enter 1 minute.
• In the Audio Quality drop-down list, select one of two audio compression/decompression methods (codecs) to be used for the message.

Adjusting Audio Levels

• The microphone meter, or Record Meter, indicates the level of audio being sent through your microphone. Any audio (indicated by the green bars) that extends to the right of the Silence Sensor (indicated by the gray or blue vertical bar) will be transmited to the other party. If you notice that the audio level is to the left of or next to the Silence Sensor, then click the Sensor and drag it to the left. To increase or decrease the volume, use the slider below the microphone meter.
• The speaker meter, or Playback Meter, indicates the volume of the audio you are receiving from the other party. To increase or decrease the volume, use the slider below the speaker meter.
• The microphone and speaker buttons switch back and forth between on and off. Click the buttons once to activate audio, click them once again to mute it. On Mac OS, click the Talk button to turn the sound you're sending on, Mute to turn it off. Click the Listen button to turn the sound you receive on, Hold to turn it off.

The Silence Sensor

It's a good idea to adjust the Silence Sensor and the other audio tools before you begin a call:

1. Make sure the microphone is on (on MacOS, click the Talk button).
2. Notice the audio level indicated by the green bars on the Record Meter.

This is the background noise level.
3. Position the cursor over the Sensor (the blue control) and drag it to the right of the the bars.
4. Once you start speaking into the microphone, the Record Meter indicates your sending level. Any audio that extends to the right of the Silence Sensor limit will be transmitted to the other party.

Setting Call Options

• Auto Answer: You accept all invitations automatically.
• Always Prompt: Conference prompts you when you receive a call; you have the option to accept or decline each invitation individually.
• Do Not Disturb: You refuse all invitations.

Setting Up Your Business Card

You may have already entered this information in the Setup wizard, but you can change it by using the Business Card Preferences dialog.

Note: Although you don't need to enter all the information in the business card, you must enter your name and email address in order to use Conference, and to receive calls and voicemail messages from other Conference users.

To set up your business card:

1. Choose Preferences from the Call menu, and then select the Business Card tab from the Preferences dialog box.
2. Set the options you want.
3. Click OK when you're finished.

You will need to restart Conference in order for your changes to take effect.

About the Chat Tool

Once you're in a call, you can use the Chat tool   to send messages or other textual content to a conference participant. The Chat tool provides an alternative way to conduct a conversation in real-time if your (or the other party's) computer doesn't have working audio equipment. Unlike an audio conference, the Chat tool consumes few network and computer resources. You can conduct meetings while dynamically generating transcripts that you can then save and print to create meeting minutes.

Summary

Posting a Message

Setting Chat Tool Options

Creating a Chat Tool Log

Including a Text File

Saving the Log

Printing the Chat Tool Log

Posting a Message

Summary

1. Click the Chat tool button  in the toolbar of the Netscape Conference window.
2. Type your message in the Personal Note Pad field.
3. Choose Post Note Pad from the File menu, or click the Send button.

Details

1. Click the Chat tool button  in the toolbar of the Netscape Conference window.

You see the Chat tool window. The top portion of the window, the Log, is where you view posted messages. The bottom portion of the window, the Personal Note Pad, is where you compose your messages.

2. Type your message (or paste some text from the clipboard) in the Personal Note Pad field. If you wish to include the contents of a text file, choose Include from the File menu (on Mac OS, click the Open File button).
3. When you've completed your message, choose Post Note Pad from the File menu or click the Send button.

You see your message in the Log window. Messages appear in the order in which they are posted.

See Also

Setting Chat Tool Options

Creating a New Chat Tool Log

Including a Text File

Saving the Chat Tool Log

Printing the Chat Tool Log

Setting Chat Tool Options

Pop Up on Receive

Select Pop Up on Receive if you want the Chat tool window to automatically open as soon as you receive a message.

Fonts

Choose Fonts to display a dialog box where you can specify the font, font size, and font style you want to use to compose messages.

Creating a Chat Tool Log

Select New from the File menu (click the Trash button on Mac OS) to clear the contents of the current log window and create a new one. Before the log is cleared, you will be asked if you wish to save the contents.

Including a Text File

Choose Include File from the File menu (on Mac OS, click the Open File button) to import a text file into the Personal Note Pad field.

After you have loaded a file into your Personal Note Pad, you can edit the contents before sending it to another conference participant.

Saving the Chat Tool Log

To save the log for the first time, choose Save As from the File menu. Once you have saved the Chat tool log, you can update the file by choosing Save from the File menu. On Mac OS, click the Save button in the Chat window.

Printing the Chat Tool Log

About the Whiteboard Tool

To launch the whiteboard, click the Whiteboard button  in the toolbar of the Netscape Conference window.

The whiteboard provides simultaneous painting or marking up of images with the other party during a call. You can also synchronize the whiteboard screen during the session to assure both parties are viewing the same information. The graphics toolbox contains a number of drawing tools you can use to create and edit images and text.

The whiteboard canvas has two distinct layers, the markup layer and the image layer:

• Markup layer: consists of drawings made using tools from the toolbox, including circles, squares and lines.
• Image layer: contains images captured from the desktop using the tools on the Capture menu, and images loaded from disk.

Summary

Importing an Image

Capturing an Image

Setting the Canvas Size

Using the Toolbox

Setting Whiteboard Tool Options

Synchronizing the Whiteboard Display

Supported File Formats

Viewing the Whiteboard

Saving and Printing Whiteboard Content

Importing an Image

Summary

• Choose Open from the File menu and then select the file you want (Windows and Unix). On Mac OS, choose Import JPEG from the Edit menu.
• Or, copy the image to the clipboard and then choose one of the Paste options described below from the Edit menu.

Details

Paste Bitmap

Paste Text

Paste Picture

Paste Owner Display

Capturing an Image

Summary

• Choose Capture Window from the Capture menu to capture the contents of windows and paste them onto the whiteboard's canvas.
• Choose Capture Desktop from the Capture menu to capture the entire contents of the desktop and paste them onto the whiteboard's canvas.
• Choose Capture Region from the Capture menu to capture a section of the desktop and paste it onto the whiteboard's canvas.

Details

1. Choose Capture Window from the Capture menu

A cross-hair cursor appears.
2. To capture a window's contents, click on it. To capture the entire window, including the frame and title bar, click on the title bar.

The outline of the area you have captured appears over the whiteboard.
3. To preview the contents of the captured area, hold down Shift as you move the outline.
4. To place the image, click the left mouse button.

Capture Desktop

1. Choose Capture Desktop from the Capture menu.

The outline of the area you have captured appears over the whiteboard.
2. To preview the contents of the captured area, hold down Shift as you move the outline.
3. To place the image, click the left mouse button.

Capture Region

1. Choose Capture Region from the Capture menu

A cross-hair cursor appears.
2. Click on the desktop where you want to anchor one corner of a selection box.
3. Stretch the box so that it outlines the area of the desktop you wish to capture.

The outline of the image you have captured appears over the whiteboard.
4. To preview the contents of the captured area, hold down Shift as you move the outline.
5. To place the image, click the left mouse button.

Using the Whiteboard Tools

The markup layer is where you create drawings using tools from the toolbox, including circles, squares and drawings with the Freehand tool.

The image layer is where you place imported images, and images captured from the desktop an clipboard using the items on the Capture menu.

The Image/Markups button is located on the lower right-hand corner of the whiteboard. Simply click the button to switch between the two layers, or choose Erase Markups from the Options menu.

The Eraser tool and Clear commands from the Edit menu work on items on each layer, so that you can erase either just markups or both markups and images. To select between the two when you are using the eraser, click on the Image/Markups button on the lower right hand corner of the whiteboard. Choose either Clear Markups or Clear Whiteboard from the Edit menu. You can also choose the Erase Markups and Erase Images commands from the Options menu when you're using the Eraser tool only.

Freehand 

Use the Freehand tool the same way you use a pencil to draw lines on the canvas. To draw with the Freehand tool, hold down the left mouse button and drag the pointer across the canvas. As you move the mouse, a line will appear.

Eraser 

Use the Eraser tool to remove sections of markups and images from the canvas. To use the eraser, hold down the left mouse button as you move the cursor across the canvas. As you move across drawings they will be erased.

To switch between erasing markup layer items and image layer items, click the Image/Markups button in the lower right hand corner of the whiteboard. The eraser will be set to remove whichever layer's name is displayed.

Rectangle 

Use the Rectangle tool to draw rectangles and squares on the canvas. To draw a rectangle, click the left mouse button to anchor one corner and drag the outline of the rectangle until it is the proper size and shape, then release the button.

To draw a square, hold down Shift as you resize the rectangle and it will be constrained to a square.

You can also use the Filled Rectangle tool to draw solid squares and rectangles in the same manner.

The Rectangle and Filled Rectangle tools use the currently selected color, line width and fill pattern.

Circle 

Use the Circle tool to draw circles and ellipses on the canvas. To draw an ellipse, click the left mouse button on the canvas to anchor one corner of the ellipse's area, then drag the mouse until the bounding box appears in the proper size and shape. Release the mouse button.

The Filled Circle tool can be used to draw solid ellipses.

To draw a circle, hold down shift as you resize the ellipse and the bounding area will be constrained to a circle.

The Circle and Filled Circle tools use the currently selected color, line width and fill pattern.

Pointer 

Use the Pointer tool to draw attention to details or specific areas on an image for the other conference participant. Unlike the other tools, the pointer's cursor (shaped like a large arrow) appears on the other caller's screen when you click the left mouse button. To point things out on the whiteboard, hold down the left mouse button and move it around the canvas. It appears in the currently selected color.

Text 

Use the Text tool to enter text characters on the canvas. Click on the canvas where you want to place the cursor, and then type the text. When you click Return, the text you typed is sent to (displayed on) the other party's whiteboard.

The text that you type will appear in the color and fill pattern that you have selected. You can also apply the font attributes located in the toolbar, including font, font size, bold and italic.

Diagonal Line

Vertical/Horizontal Line

Selection (Mac OS only)

Use the Selection tool to select a rectangular portion of an image. Click the tool and drag the rectangle around the portion of the image you want.

Line Width

Select one of the line width buttons to specify the thickness of the lines that various drawing tools create. Line widths can be applied to the Freehand, Rectangle, Circle, Line and Eraser tools.

Fill Pattern

Click one of the fill pattern buttons to apply patterns to drawn objects. You can choose from among four fill patterns, and each of them can be either solid or clear.

Solid fill patterns display with the background set to the current color. Clear fill patterns have no background, so the area under the fill remains visible through gaps in the pattern. To switch between Solid and Clear, use the Options menu, or click the Solid/Clear button in the lower right-hand corner of the whiteboard.

Fill patterns affect the Freehand, Rectangle, Circle, Text, and Line tools.

Color

Color affects the appearance of every whiteboard drawing tool except the eraser. The whiteboard's palette contains 20 colors. After you select a color, all of your drawings and text appear in that color until you select a new one.

Setting Whiteboard Tool Options

Select this to display fill patterns with an opaque background.

Fill Clear

Select this to display fill patterns with a transparent background.

Erase Markups

Select this to use the eraser to remove only the items displayed in the markup layer.

Erase Image

Select this to use the erase to remove everything in both the image layer and the markup layer.

Floating Toolbox

Select this to detach the toolbox from the whiteboard window so that it can be positioned conveniently on the desktop. Otherwise, the toolbox appears on the left side of the whiteboard window.

Hide on Capture

Select Hide on Capture to make the whiteboard window disappear when you are using commands from the Capture menu. Otherwise, the whiteboard window remains on-screen while you are capturing images and may interfere in your ability to get the screen capture.

Dither Screen Capture

Compress

Select this to compress images before they are sent. Depending on your processor and network speed, the whiteboard may operate more quickly if Compress is unselected.

Pop Up on Receive

Select this to have Conference open the Whiteboard tool automatically as soon as a message is received from another party.

Canvas Size

Select this to display the Canvas Size dialog box, where you can specify the width and height, in pixels, of the whiteboard canvas.

Note: On Windows and Unix, you will need to restart Conference in order for this change to take effect.

Supported File Formats

Viewing the Whiteboard

Use the Zoom commands on the View menu to choose up to seven levels of magnification: three zoom-in levels, and three zoom-out levels. Choose the zoom level you want, then specify a spot to zoom in on. The cursor appears as a magnifying glass when you position it over the canvas. Click the spot that you wish to zoom in on.

To restore the screen size, choose Original Size from the View menu.

Choose Refresh from the View menu to redraw your display, and to restore the proper contents if it somehow becomes corrupted.

Synchronizing the Whiteboard Display

Saving and Printing Whiteboard Content

Saving Content

Printing Content

About the Collaborative Browsing Tool

Once you initiate a session, you are the session leader and thus can control the browser display. You can also synchronize both browsers back together should the other participant change browser URL/locations during the session.

Once you finish the session and exit the call, you will need to exit from Navigator separately.

Note: The collaborative browsing tool does not fully support synchronized viewing of Web pages that contain frames. The active frame (the one that the leader clicks in) is the only frame that gets transmitted to the other party.

Starting and Ending a Session

Starting and Ending a Session

1. Click the Collaborative Browsing button  in the toolbar of the Netscape Conference window.

In the Collaborative Browsing dialog, click Start Browsing.
2. If you decide that you want to be the leader, select Control the Browsers (on Mac OS, click the Take Lead button.
3. To end a session, click Stop Browsing.

Note: The collaborative browsing tool does not fully support synchronized viewing of Web pages that contain frames. The active frame (the one that the leader clicks in) is the only frame that gets transmitted to the other party.

About the Collaborative Browsing dialog

Important: Once the session is over, you will need to exit from Navigator separately; Conference does not close the application automatically.

Start Browsing

When you are finished with the session, click Stop Browsing. Conference notifies the other participant.

Control the Browsers/Take Lead

Sync Browsers

Note: The collaborative browsing tool does not fully support synchronized viewing of Web pages that contain frames. The active frame (the one that the leader clicks in) is the only frame that gets transmitted to the other party.

About the File Exchange Tool

To send files with the File Exchange tool:

1. Once you're in a call, click the File Exchange button  on the toolbar in the Netscape Conference window.

You see the File Exchange window. The top half of the window is the Send window, where you list the files to be sent. The bottom half of the window is the Receive window, where the files sent to you are listed.
2. Choose Add to Send List from the File menu (on Mac OS, click the Open File button) and then select the files you want to send.
3. Click the Send button or choose Send from the File menu.

Summary

Adding Files to the Send List

Setting File Exchange Tool Options

Saving and Deleting Files

Adding Files to the Send List

1. Choose Add to Send List from the File menu (on Mac OS, click the Open File button).
2. Select the file you wish to send and click OK (on Mac OS, click the Send button.


The file you have selected is added to the Files to Send window.

3. Repeat step 2 for as many files as you wish to send.
4. When you are ready, choose Send from the File menu or click the Send button in the toolbar.

The file (s) will be sent to the other party.
Note: If you have a particularly slow network or are sending a large data file, it may take a few moments for the files to reach their destinations.

5. You can continue selecting and transmitting files or click Cancel to quit.

See Also

Saving and Deleting Files

Saving and Deleting Files

To save an incoming file:

1. Click the File Exchange button  in the Netscape Conference window.


The File Exchange window appears.

2. If you have any files pending, they are listed in the Files to Receive window along with the name of the person who sent them.
3. Select a file by clicking its name.
4. Choose Save from the File menu (on Mac OS, click the Save button) to copy the highlighted file to your disk.
5. Specify a name and location for the file.
6. The file is saved to disk and no longer appears in the Files to Receive window.

Note: If you do not specify a new name for the incoming file, it will be saved under the same name it had on the sender's computer.

To delete files:

1. Select the files to erase from the Files to Receive window by clicking their names.
2. Choose Delete from the File menu (on Mac OS, click the Trash button).


You will be asked to confirm your deletion.

3. Choose Yes to delete the file or No to cancel.


The selected files will be removed from the Files to Receive window and deleted from your computer..

Setting File Exchange Tool Options

Compression

Select this option to have the File Exchange tool compress all files before sending them. The files will automatically and transparently decompress on the receiving side.

Deselecting Compression may result in an increase in speed, since no compression or decompression phase is required. However, this may create more network traffic. On a particularly slow network or with an unusually large file, you may actually experience a decrease in speed.

Pop Up on Receive

Select this option if you want Conference to automatically launch the File Exchange tool whenever files are received from another party.

ASCII Mode

This option specifies the type of files you will be sending. Since Conference can interoperate between many different types of computers, selecting ASCII for text files will ensure that data is handled correctly.

If ASCII is selected for text files that are exchanged between systems, the text will automatically be converted to local text file conventions.

Binary Mode

This option specifies the type of files you will be sending. Since Conference can interoperate between many different types of computers, selecting Binary for application and data files will ensure that data is handled correctly between operating systems.

Setting Preferences

Use the options on the Network, Audio, and Business Card Preferences dialogs to customize Conference to your particular needs. You may have already set some of these preferences when you used the Setup wizard; however, you can also modify them here.

Network Preferences

Audio Preferences

Business Card Preferences

About the Network Preferences Dialog Box

Use the items on the Network Preferences dialog box to configure some of the basic settings you need in order to place and receive Netscape Conference calls.

• In the DLS Server field, enter the hostname of the DLS (Dynamic Lookup Service) server you use. The default server (provided by Netscape) is netdls.four11.com.
• In the Phonebook URL field, enter the URL of the Web Phonebook you want to use.
• Click List My Name in Phonebook if you want your address listed in the Phonebook. Leave this box unselected if you wish to remain unlisted. Although you must be registered with the DLS server in order to place and receive calls, you do not have to publish your name and address in the phonebook.
• At Network connection, select the type of network connection your computer uses: 14.4 or 28.8 bps modem or higher, LAN, or ISDN.

About the Audio Preferences Dialog Box

Use the items in the Audio Preferences dialog box to select the devices you want to use for recording and playback, and to specify the decompression method you want. For Mac OS, use the items on this dialog box to configure some of the basic settings you need in order to place and receive calls.

Operation Mode

Conference automatically detects whether you have a full or half-duplex audio card. Full Duplex means that your card can send and receive audio simultaneously. Half Duplex cards can either send or receive, but cannot do both at the same time.

Playback/Recording Autoswitch

If you have a half duplex audio card, Conference can automatically switch your card between sending and playback to approximate full duplex. To turn on automatic switching, select Playback/Recording Autoswitch. Otherwise, you'll have to alternate between clicking the microphone and speaker buttons each time you wish to send and receive audio (much like if you were operating a CB radio).

Preferred Device

If you have two half duplex audio cards, you can configure one as the record device and the other as the playback device, allowing full duplex operation.

• Recording: select the audio card you wish to use to record your audio from this list.
• Playback: select the audio card from the list that you wish to use for audio playback.

Compression

Audio has to be compressed before it can be sent out across the network. Conference provides support for a wide array of standards-based audio codecs (compression/decompression methods) used by the H.323 protocol to assure that you always get the highest quality sound. Choose the codec you prefer.

Click Order to sort the list of codecs Conference will use when trying to establish an audio connection.

Note: In order to sort the list of codecs, you must have a sound card selected in Preferred Device.

Echo Suppression

Your microphone can pick up audio played by your speakers, and transmit it back to the other party, causing them to hear an echo.You can minimize this feedback by selecting one of three levels of echo suppression. (Not available for half-duplex cards.)

• Maximum
• Normal (speaker phone setup)
• Off (headset setup)

Advanced (Windows only)

Click the Advanced button to display additional dialog boxes where you can enable resampling, configure network ports, and specify latency (buffer sets). Please keep in mind that you should have a good working knowledge of your audio equipment and it's configuration before you change any of these settings.

Audio Source (Mac OS only)

• Device: Select the sound digitizer that your sound source (typically a microphone) is connected to. "Built-in" is the only choice available for most users.
• Source: Select your sound source. "Microphone" is the most common source.

Incoming Calls (Mac OS only)

• Stop ringing after: Set the number of seconds to continue ringing before Conference prompts your callers to leave a message for you.
• Ring Volume: Select the volume of the ring sound by dragging the slider.

Compression dialog

Use the arrow keys to sort the list order of available codecs. The order in the list corresponds to the order in which Conference tries the codecs when placing a call.

Advanced Audio Properties - Network dialog

Click Restore Defaults to return to the original settings.

Advanced Audio Properties - Resampling dialog

Advanced Audio Properties - Latency dialog

Device

Buffers

Buffers in Queue

Click Restore Defaults to return to the original settings.

About the Business Card Preferences Dialog

Note: The minimum required information you need to enter is Name and Email address.

Name

Email address

Title

Photo

Company

Address

Phone Number

Fax Number

Troubleshooting:About Firewalls

A firewall is meant to keep others from sending data into your local network. Obviously, it is difficult to carry on a conversation with someone outside the firewall if it is blocking the incoming person's voice.Conference passes data through the following ports, which must be open:

You will need to contact your network administrator for information on your company's policy. Although you may not be able to have a voice conversation, you may still be able to use the Chat, Whiteboard, Collaborative Browsing, and File Exchange tools. You should however, have no problem running Conference within your organization. It's only going between the outside and inside networks that is limited.

Troubleshooting: Audio Problems

Why don't I hear the other conference participant, even though they hear me?

Most likely, you are using a half duplex audio card and your Silence Sensor is set incorrectly. The Silence Sensor (the red bar on the outgoing audio meter), should be set just above the ambient noise level when you aren't speaking.

What is the Silence Sensor and how does it work?

The Silence Sensor is a feature provided by Conference that enables users with half duplex audio cards to automatically switch between Record and Playback modes (as opposed to implementing a push-to-talk system). The Silence Sensor setting is represented by the red control on the Record Audio meter.

When the green meter is above the red control, your sound card will automatically be placed in record mode (meaning that you cannot receive audio from the other conference participant). It is therefore important to set the Silence Sensor so that you only enter Record mode when you are actually speaking. To do so, place your microphone where you will ordinarily be using it and then place the red control (Silence Sensor) just above the where the outgoing audio meter levels out. Then, as soon as you speak, your sound card will enter Record mode, but at other times you will be able to receive audio from the other conference participant.

I have a half-duplex card; will that affect my audio quality?

For half duplex sound card users, setting the Silence Sensor properly is the most important step toward successful audio conferencing. Also, Conference can automatically switch your card between sending and playback to approximate full duplex. To turn on automatic switching, select Playback/Recording Autoswitch in the Network Preferences dialog box. Otherwise, you'll have to alternate between clicking the microphone and speaker buttons each time you wish to send and receive audio.