Video Conferencing & using MSN Messenger

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Video Conferencing

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NEW from Microsoft.  A nice webcam for £25 called the Lifecam VX-5000

See vSkype (Beta) further down

A frequently asked question, especially from XP users is "How can I get rid of Windows Messenger 4.7  

First understand that in order to confuse you Microsoft has created four programs with similar names.  
1) Windows Messenger (currently Version 4.7 I call this the 'crippled'  version. No video, not extras.  Allows text chat.
2) MsnMessenger (Currently Version 7.5) Which has most facilities, including sound, video and some amusing effects.
3) Windows Live Messenger 8  This is the latest version of MsnMessenger. After a buggy start I now prefer this Messenger to some of the others.  It has some new features such as the facility to share files and pictures and it looks like this :

for more details and download see  http://imagine-msn.com/messenger/launch/en-GB/

4) Lastly there is The Messenger Service  which has NOTHING to do with the chat programs. See below

VoxOx by TelCentris say it "is a free program that unifies all of your communication channels voice, video, IM, text, social media, e-mail, fax and content sharing into a single, intuitive interface, giving you full control of your interconnected lifestyle. VoxOx enables you to manage all of your connections and contacts holistically, requires you to give up nothing and, at the same time, provides a sophisticated global phone service for free or at low cost options".

SKYPE. April 2008 This is another of the messenger services which allow audio chat, text chat and video with people who have the same set up, anywhere in the world, at no additional cost.  Just broadband. Helping someone set up took just one week, from ordering a webcam from Ebuyer to actually seeing and hearing each other.  With my 2Mb broadband there appeared to be no delay in the speech and we haven't been troubled by sound or picture drop outs or feedback even though we are using a webcam with internal microphone and separate speakers. So this really does score highly. There are 3 picture sizes from full screen to tiny.  With full screen there was no way to see and type text. And as a deaf person it is essential for me to have this as a back up.  But the picture would certainly help deaf people who lip read.
July 08. Skype is trialling a new version which should improve the speed and quality of webcam pictures and sound. Personally I have found theat Skype is the BEST of all the messaging services I have tried. The sound quality is good, using speakers and there is no echo (unlike Live Messenger, below) I have even used the text portion of Skype while talking to someone on the telephone.  If you get feedback while using Skype this is another possibility

Here is another example of using Skype.  In this case I am answering audibly but the other person is typing when I missed a few things due to deafness

Windows Messenger (Msmsgs.exe) is a 1Mb version of a chat program which is issued and installed with Windows XP. Compared with its 11Mb twin, MsnMessenger (now called Live Messenger), it has fewer facilities and most people prefer it not to start. To do this click on the Windows Messenger 4.7 screen (you can check which version by clicking Help, About). To stop the Messenger program from starting automatically the Help says. "Click the Tools menu and click Options; under the Preferences tab clear Run Windows Messenger when Windows starts". I would clear everything else under preferences.

Next, if you have not already got it, go to the Microsoft site www.microsoft.com and look for MsnMessenger (Msmsgs.exe) and download the program. When you have installed it, I would check to see that you have the correct one ticked in your Startup program list. To do this go Start, Run and type Msconfig.  Click on the Startup tab and look down the list.  Make sure that the box by Msmsgs is UNticked and that there is a tick in the one that mentions Msnmsgr.  Note the slight difference (all the better to confuse you, my dear)
From now on you should only be presented with the Messenger that you need for 'chat' (see more below)

Unfortunately, earlier Windows users could not remove Microsoft Messenger (4.7) with Add/Remove Programs because it is hidden from the list. They didn't want to make it easy for you!  But you can actually fix it without rebooting. First you must make sure it is not running. Just right click on the 'Green Pawn' icons bottom right by the clock and click "Exit". Once Msmsgs.exe is gone, find the C:\Program Files\Messenger directory, and just rename it to something else, like MessengerOFF by right clicking the folder and clicking Rename. If you ever want it back you just rename it back to Msmsgs.exe.

Lastly, many people are bothered by small brown popups that say things like "Click here to see how you can lose 10 stone". This is probably the misuse of the Messenger program and it really SHOULD be stopped. If you have a good Firewall this will have stopped these intrusions. But if you wish to disable it (and it is only any use to people who want to send messages to each other over a local network) then. Follow this if you can.  Start>Settings>Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Services>click Messenger (way down the list)>click Stop>Now right click messenger, Properties, Select Disable in the 'Startup Type' scroll bar.

So what is it all about, Alfie ?

A quote from a Computer Active magazine regarding text chat :

"Instant Messaging programs like AOL's and Microsoft's Instant Messenger (and Yahoo) have ousted e-mail and traditional telephone chats as the preferred way of communication for millions of people around the world"  

There are three major players in the voice and text chat business. Yahoo and Microsoft, who have just joined forces, command upwards of 44 percent of the market, whilst AOL and ICQ also have a large share. MSN Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger together reach 33.5 million unique users each month, with around 23 million running AIM.

A new threat to the IM heavyweights comes from voice chat and upstarts such as Skype that have taken the communications industry by storm. Google, meanwhile, recently launched a communications client called Google Talk that focuses on simple PC-to-PC calling. Whilst you really need Broadband for a decent conversation on MSN, AIM and Yahoo, if you just want to talk to your relatives in far away places for NOTHING, you should (both parties) download SKYPE 2 from www.skype.com. The quality is excellent. Even I can hear it! You are given a special Skype name and can add the other Skypers to your list. It even has a facility for phoning ordinary telephones (at a cost). Obviously for PC to PC calls you both need a microphone and speakers, preferably a headset, and you need to have Windows 2000 or XP. And from www.ebuyer.co.uk a 'Headset' to go with your Skype is £1.29!  Skype also now have a Video add-on.  Other companies are catching on to this free phone service and you will find offers from Google and others and Windows Live Messenger now has this. It is likely that most will offer the facility to phone to ordinary telephones and mobiles but a charge will normally be made for these calls. In this case you may even get an additional telephone number. If you have an early version of Skype it may be a good idea to update it for security reasons. For more info on Skype see http://askbobrankin.com/free_calls_with_skype.html

Skype, the free telephone via Internet system, keeps on developing, though some of the facilities are charged.  It is now possible to use Skype with a webcam. With SkypeOut you can call ordinary landline phones and with SkypeIn it is possible for people to call your special Skype number from a landline phone.  Providing you have a handheld computer with Windows Mobile 5.0 or 2003 for Pocket PC .a 312MHz processor and a high speed wireless Internet connection it will be possible for people to call you (or you call them) anywhere there is a Wi-Fi facility.

Friend Dave reports that using Skype it is even possible to have a conference call with up to nine people ! Using SkypeOut it is possible to conference with up to five on ordinary land lines. To quote him "First I called Julie in Oz from my computer to her land line, then I called my daughter and my son on their land lines and invited them to the conference. The connection was as clear as a bell and it cost only 1.02 pence per minute.  Only the host has to have a PC."

Using Skype with a webcam

vSkype  (Video Skype) is a new product launch by Santa Cruz Networks It is an add-on to Skype that lets you see people on a Sktype call. How is vSkype Beta different from other Skype video plug-ins? It provides fast real-time video between you and all of your Skype contacts - up to 2.3 fps for anyone using a standard 56K modem, and up to 24 fps for anyone using Broadband. vSkype Beta also allows you to share display any open application, or even the entire desktop. You can add other callers during a call. With vSkype Beta it is possible for up to 200 people ! to participate in a single call or meeting without degrading overall performance. All those people can broadcast video at the same time, if they choose, and each participant can view any 8 people at a given time.

N.B. To prevent unwanted contacts (including sex calls) I suggest that you click Tools, Options, Privacy Settings, Allow calls from.. only people in my contacts list.

Don't underestimate the use of the internet for phone calls. There are two advantages for hard of hearing people.  First you will be able to hear calls via your speakers at a level of amplification set by yourself, so you can hear with BOTH ears and with hearing aids in place.  Secondly, Skype reckons their calls are better than via a standard telephones, which have a very narrow frequency range.  This means that high frequency sounds, such as the letters S and F at the beginning of words, are lost to the hard of hearing.  Skype technology gives a much wider range of frequency, which is why I was able to hear a conversation from folks in Australia better than I could a phone call from next door.  

Using the Internet for telephoning. It is now possible to buy equipment that connects to your Broadband Modem or Router and enables you to connect an ordinary telephone.  This makes it possible to use the Internet for phone calls even when the PC is not on.  But it is usual to connect via an Ethernet port rather than a USB port for this direct connect system. This is not required for the Skype type program, where one can either use a headset or even a USB telephone. Other relevant sites are www.btbroadbandvoice.com, www.callserve.com and www.vonage.co.uk
Vonage has a special box, which connects to your broadband modem. For £7.99 a month you get free calls to a wide range of countries. It even enables people abroad to call YOU at their local rate.

Another brilliant service can be found at www.jajah.com.  In this case you can use your own telephone but still make a call via you computer line either free or very cheaply.  You can even try it without registering.  Basically you just type in your friends number and click call.  Because the program has you own number it phones you back and you can then pick up the phone and talk as normally.

Another service, which enables to get very cheap calls using the ordinary telephone can be faound at http://www.call18866.co.uk/rates.php and also http://www.1899.com. After a small connection charge many calls are free or very cheap.- even for mobiles. e.g. Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Puerto Rico and USA calls ON A MOBILE are only 1p a minute, though if you call via a mobile you have to dial a number and wait to hear a follow on number first.  

However, I would stress that to get good audio/video conferencing you really both need to be on Broadband and have a USB2 card and reasonable webcam e.g. Trust 380 USB2 Spacec@m (Computer Shopper Best Buy £40)

So is there something you are missing out on? Certainly, once set up, Instant Messaging is extremely useful and  it is free. Instead of waiting for e-mails you can type something and get an instant reply from your friends or relatives.  Most of this software enables you to talk to people using a microphone and earphone headset and see people if one or both uses a webcam.  The software can be downloaded from www.yahoo.com, (BT users can download their Yahoo version from http://www.bt.com/communicator), www.site.aol.com/aim/ or http://messenger.msn.com/  In the case of the latter you need a Hotmail or MSN address from www.hotmail.com or and MSN.com address - see below. But I have found that, using dialup, the sound quality of these two methods is far from satisfactory (if you can get it to work at all!)  Better than this I have found the Paltalk www.paltalk.com is easier to set up and gives clearer conversation and is capable of transmitting video (either two way or one), albeit a pretty disjointed picture when using a 56k modem. But, unless you pay a fee you will have to endure advertising on Paltalk. There is even a program that will let you communicate with people on a variety of chat programs.  It is from http://www.ceruleanstudios.com/downloads/ Let me stress that I have never had problems with security on Messenger.  One does not have strangers intruding. It is nothing at all to do with forums, Newsgroups or open chat groups, some of which seem to be inhabited by Neanderthals.
Here are examples of the sort of screens you will see with MSNMessenger.

Fig1

Fig 2

Fig 3

                          To get going there are a number of things which you must get, and do

This is the Q-tech webcam, which is under £10 but does not have an inbuilt microphone.  You may need to pay around £40 for a quality camera with mic

Get :

• A Webcam, microphone and speakers or, preferably, a microphone and earphones (headset) to prevent 'feedback'
• MSN Messenger by downloading from. http://messenger.msn.com/
• A Hotmail (or MSN name) (called a Passport) from www.hotmail.com (or MSN.com)
• The Hotmail or MSN names of the people you wish to contact.

Do :

• Install your camera software.
• Install MSN Messenger.  You should see a 'green  pawn' icon on the right of your taskbar.
• Check that your camera works and that you can see yourself. There is a facility to do this in MSNmessenger.
• Install your friends' Hotmail addresses into Messenger. You have to be on-line with Messenger to do this. You then have the chance to add names to your list (File, Add a contact). It says you can add by E-mail name or Passport. Click Passport and enter their Hotmail (or MSN) name. If you use their E-mail address you may be told they do not have a Passport and are invited to send a message to them which will tell them how to join.

If you have installed Messenger correctly an icon (green 'pawn') will show on the desktop tool bar, bottom right near the clock. Click on this.

• You get a window like Fig. 1 above. This is the main organisation screen with Help and a place to add contacts
• Click on "Sign In".  Fig 2 appears. If a screen asks you for your Hotmail name and a password you will have to type them in.  Save it for automatic sign on .  You should not have to do it next time.
• If you are not already on line click Connect and wait for your machine to log on. You should still see the Fig 1 screen.
• Providing you have some contact added the Messenger screen shows "contacts currently online"  (green) and "contacts not online" (red)  (Fig. 2)  These days, with many people on Broadband, they often show as online even if they are not there, though you have the option to give your status and Online, Offline, Gone to lunch etc.
• Click on a green name and when you get the message screen (Fig 3) type a message.
• If you get a response you can suggest an audio or video session by clicking (once) on the camera or audio icon and they must then accept your invitation to begin a session. In the case of video this has to be done by both parties if you want a two way conference.
• If you manage a two way video conference you should see yourself in one screen and the other person in a screen above. Even if you only use the text messaging you can choose and display a still picture, as can the other party .
• It is not essential for you both to have cameras or even sound. They can see you even if they do not have a camera themselves.
• You may find that any Firewall you have loaded can interfere, especially with sound. Learn how to exempt Messenger from being blocked by the firewall.
• Make sure that microphone and speaker sliders on the right of screens are up to full. Turn them down if you get feedback  
• If you do not get sound, and your firewall is off you may have to look at Actions, Video and Audio.  This can only be checked when you are not in a conference. It is essential that you check that the microphone setup is correct.  Mine was set to Mic Input when, in fact, the microphone used was in the camera
• If the sound is intermittent (normal on dialup!) you may find it easier to communicate with the written message section.
• Without broadband your pictures will be jerky and speech intermittent, if at all.
• You can send small pictures and files to the other person whilst you are in contact.
• If you are using Windows XP SP2 there is a known problem with Messenger. Microsoft have admitted that their QoS (Quality of Service) program can interfere with the pictures or sound. To turn this off, click your ISP connection, click Properties then the Networking tab. Untick QoS Packet scheduler (if you can) I found that I could not and finally clicked Uninstall as it appeared to help.
• Messenger is constantly being improved and now has a facility to 'Nudge' someone -shakes their screen and makes a sound - and also send animations. Nudges are useful to get someone's attention.  It is now possible to play games on line with the other party. Having sound on will also help you to know when someone has written a message to you. It is possible to make the other person's webcam picture larger. It also offers some webspace so you can display pictures and write some text on a weblog.

Happy Conferencing !

Notes: 

Improving Quality: At the top of the Messenger screen there are a number of headings :

Audio
Sound may be delayed and you may experience an echo and sometimes loud whistling.  This may be due to 'feedback ' because one of you is using the computer speakers. Try a headset plugged into the Spkr and Mic sockets on your machine. Even with these I have only ever had good video and speech whilst both parties have been using broadband.

Better conversations can be held on dialup if both parties are using a free program called Skype from www.skype.com but using Skype for sound and MSN for video was not a great success when I tried it.

 Video
Because of the amount of information in the picture, unless you are both on Broadband,  it will be jerky and appear to be showing you one picture in ten.
Try to keep the information down by having a plain background and not moving unnecessarily.  It is not possible with MSN to have a video conference with more than one person at a time unless they both get in front of the camera. But more than one person can join in a text conversation.

Conclusion.  Since the early days I have not used on-line video very often.  Which may tell you something about what I think of it on Dial-up. I suppose it might be different if one was yearning to see some new grandchild in a faraway land or whatever.  But I have used the Instant Messaging quite often.  Simple, free and useful (especially for people who are hard of hearing).  You can actually invite up to five people to join the chat and it is between your group only - unlike chat rooms. You can just start with text chat then experiment with the video and audio facilities.  AOL's Instant Messenger (AIM)  is another alternative to MSN IM. It is available free to anyone and it also has a Talk button.www.aol.com/aim/  But, for free telephoning nothing beats SKYPE.

If it all gets too much you can try out the Logitech version.  A free trial for one month.  If it is any good you can pay £34.98 a year for their video/talk software. See www.logitech.com/

And lastly  If you have friends who use AIM, MSN and ICQ there is a program called GAIM which can enable you to talk to all of them at the same time. It is a 5.4Mb download from www.computeractive.co.uk/downloads/

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