README for Microsoft NetMeeting 1.0 July 1997
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(c) Copyright Microsoft Corporation, 1997
This document provides complementary or late-breaking information
to supplement any existing documentation.
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CONTENTS
OVERVIEW
To Run Microsoft NetMeeting To Uninstall Microsoft NetMeeting
USING MICROSOFT NETMEETING
PLACING A CALL
RECEIVING A CALL
SHARING A PROGRAM
WHITEBOARD
CHAT
FILE TRANSFER
AUDIO COMMUNICATION
HANGING UP
KNOWN ISSUES
SUPPORT INFORMATION
OVERVIEW
==
Microsoft NetMeeting is a set of program and network components that enable real-time audio and data communication over the Internet.
Microsoft NetMeeting combines the capabilities of a telephone with a rich set of data features, such as Program Sharing, File Transfer, Whiteboard, and Chat.
In order to use Microsoft NetMeeting, you must have the following configuration:
- 486/66 with 8MB of RAM
(Pentium with 12MB of RAM recommended)
- Microsoft Windows 98
NetMeeting does not run on Windows NT or Windows 3.1. This version of NetMeeting runs only on English (United States) versions of Microsoft Windows 98.
- Microsoft NetMeeting works best with a fast Internet connection
(28.8-baud modem or local area network).
- To use the audio features of NetMeeting, you need a sound card,
speakers, and a microphone.
This product replaces the PDC alpha release of Microsoft Conferencing and beta releases of Microsoft NetMeeting.
We recommend that you uninstall earlier versions of Microsoft NetMeeting before installing the final release.
>>>To Run Microsoft NetMeeting:
1. After the installation is finished, if a dialog box appears
asking if you want to restart your computer, click Yes.
2. Click Start, point to Programs, and then click Microsoft NetMeeting.
3. When you open Microsoft NetMeeting for the first time, a
wizard appears to help you get ready to use NetMeeting. If you cancel this wizard, you will not be able to use NetMeeting.
>>>To Uninstall Microsoft NetMeeting:
1. In Control Panel, click the Add/Remove Programs icon.
2. Click the Install/Uninstall tab.
3. Click Microsoft NetMeeting, and then click Add/Remove.
4. If a dialog box appears asking if you want to restart your
computer, click Yes.
USING MICROSOFT NETMEETING
==============
- Only the released version of Internet Explorer 3.0 or later will
work with NetMeeting.
- When you first run Microsoft NetMeeting, a setup wizard prompts
you for the name of the User Location Server (ULS) you want to use. Microsoft maintains a User Location Server on the Internet at http://uls.microsoft.com.
- Whenever you run Microsoft NetMeeting after you have completed
the setup wizard, you are automatically logged on to the ULS you specified. This server maintains a list of the people currently running Microsoft NetMeeting and their IP addresses. You can use this service to locate people to meet with by clicking Call, and clicking Directory, or you can type the person's computer name, IP address, e-mail address, or modem phone number in the Place A Call box.
- You can use a Web view of the User Location Service to call people
by clicking Call, then Web Directory. In the Web Directory, click the e-mail address of the person you wish to call.
>>>To use the User Location Server to find people running Microsoft
NetMeeting on the Internet:
1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
2. Click the My Information tab.
3. Select the User Location Service Name check box, and then
type uls.microsoft.com.
NOTE: You will not be able to use uls.microsoft.com to locate
people on the Internet if you connect to the Internet through a proxy server. For information about setting up your own User Location Server, see the Microsoft NetMeeting SDK.
- Audio works only over TCP/IP between two people. You can use all
other features with more than two people over TCP/IP, modems, and IPX.
- Microsoft NetMeeting supports meetings of up to 32 people. However,
only the first two people connected with audio can participate in an audio call, and only three people can share programs from their computers at one time. The total number of people that can successfully participate in your meeting will vary based upon available network bandwidth and the speed of the participants' computers.
- Some activities might cause large amounts of data to be sent
between the computers in your meeting(for example, speaking and sharing several programs while transferring a large file). In extreme cases, this might cause computers in the meeting to become very slow. To remedy this, stop one or more of the meeting activities.
- If you try to make a TCP/IP call on your local area network
and MSN or Dial-Up Networking displays a Connection dialog box, you can disable this by clicking the Internet icon in Control Panel and then making sure that Auto-Dial is not selected.
- Sharing of DirectX, MS-DOS, and graphic-intensive games and
AVIs does not work well and is not supported.
- If different computers have different screen resolutions during
a meeting, the shared windows can be as large as the highest resolution desktop allows. Users with lower resolution desktops will have to scroll to view windows that don't fit their screens.
- When you share a program, others can use the File Open
and File Save dialog boxes in your program to access files on your computer or network. You will be able to see everything other users are doing in your shared programs.
To stop someone from using your shared program while you do not have control of the cursor, press ESC. To stop someone from using your shared program while you do have control of the cursor, click the Work Alone button. We recommend that you don't leave your computer unattended while sharing a program and collaborating.
- Some software installation programs will not function properly
while Microsoft NetMeeting is running.
- You must have a 32-bit TCP/IP stack and Windows Sockets interface
to use Microsoft NetMeeting with TCP/IP. Microsoft NetMeeting has been tested with the 32-bit TCP/IP and Windows sockets built into Windows 98.
- If you want to call someone by using a modem, and you must dial
a 9 to get an outside line, make sure you type a hyphen (-) in front of the 9 at the beginning of the phone number. For example, you can specify the following number:
-9,7034501
- Program Sharing, Whiteboard, and Chat may not work properly
between computers with different language settings and keyboard layouts.
- Microsoft NetMeeting supports using Windows 98 system policies to
set default configurations in a corporate environment.
Microsoft NetMeeting system policies are documented, and a system policy file is included in the Internet Explorer Administration Kit.
- NetMeeting may stop responding when it starts up if there are
damaged fonts in your fonts folder.
- NetMeeting does not function properly over SLIRP connections or
other simulated SLIP/PPP connections.
PLACING A CALL
==
You can place Microsoft NetMeeting calls to multiple users. Any person in a meeting can place Microsoft NetMeeting calls to other people. In addition, other people can join a Microsoft NetMeeting call in progress by calling one of the participants.
When you run Microsoft NetMeeting, you are automatically logged on to a User Location Server. This server maintains a list of the people currently running Microsoft NetMeeting and their IP addresses.
You can use this service to locate people to meet with by
clicking Call, then clicking Directory; or, if the person you want
to call is logged on to the same server as you, you can call the
person by typing their e-mail address into the Place A Call box in
the NetMeeting window. You can also use the Place A Call box in the
NetMeeting window to type either the computer name or modem phone
number of the person you want to call.
In the Directory window, the Refresh button refreshes the list of people logged on to the User Location Server. The Stop button stops opening the list of people logged on to the User Location Server.
Warnings and Known Bugs
- Audio calls can be made only over TCP/IP and can include only
two people.
- If you cannot connect to someone by using their computer name,
try using their IP address.
- IPX meetings can be started if both people do the following:
1. Have Microsoft IPX/SPX-compatible protocol installed.
2. Use the Advanced Calling dialog box, select the IPX
protocol, and enter the full 8:12 net number and Ethernet
address of the intended recipient of the call in the Address
box --for example, 00002702:112233445566.
- NetMeeting does not work over a direct cable connection between
computers.
- If you click someone's name in a User Location Service (ULS)
directory Web page and get an error message saying that the file type is unrecognized, you need to configure your browser to associate the ULS directory file with Microsoft NetMeeting.
For instructions on how to do this, refer to your browser's documentation. You will need the following information: MIME file type: "text/iuls" Command line: "rundll32.exe msconf.dll,NewMediaPhone %l"
- Some ISDN devices are configured to automatically connect to
the network. This might cause the ISDN device to try to connect to the network while NetMeeting is running. To stop this from happening, disable Auto-Dial on the ISDN device.
- We recommended that you don't change the name of your User
Location Server while the Directory window is open.
- If the User Location Server is temporarily unavailable, there
might be a brief period of time after the server becomes available when your name is not listed in the directory.
- SpeedDial connections created with beta 1 or beta 2 might not
work properly with the 1.0 release version of NetMeeting.
- If you do not see your name in the list of names on the User
Location Service you might not be logged on, or you might be logged on to a different User Location Service. To change the User Location Service you log on to, click the Tools menu, click Options, and then change your User Location Service Name.
To log on to the User Location Server, click the Call menu, and then click Log On to User Location Service.
>>>To place a call to a person using PictureTel LiveShare version 3.x
or earlier:
1. Click the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Protocols
tab.
2. Select the check box for the LiveShare protocol you want to use.
3. Select the corresponding NetMeeting protocol if available.
For example, to place a modem call to someone using LiveShare, you would need to select both the Modem and Modem for LiveShare Networks check boxes.
TIP: To show LiveShare protocols, make sure the "Use additional protocols for compatibility with PictureTel LiveShare 3.x and earlier" check box is selected.
- If you have an active network connection using a network card
and a second active connection using a modem or a second network card, you might not be able to connect to the User Location Service.
- When you are in a meeting, you cannot connect to people already
in another meeting.
- You cannot connect with Data and Audio to someone who is already
in a meeting.
RECEIVING A CALL
====
You are ready to receive an incoming call if you are currently running Microsoft NetMeeting and have not selected Do Not Disturb on the Call menu.
Warnings and Known Bugs
- If you are using Microsoft NetMeeting on a local area network,
you might not be able to receive calls while your Dial-Up Networking logon screen is open.
- If you receive a call while the Directory dialog box is open,
you can accept the call by using the spacebar.
SHARING A PROGRAM
==========
Any person in a meeting can share a program with the other participants. When you share a program, other people can see the program. When you collaborate, other people can see and use the program.
Warnings and Known Bugs
- Sharing one Windows Explorer window shares all of them. If you
run a program while Windows Explorer is shared, the program will also be shared. Examples of Explorer windows include Internet Mail and News, Control Panels, and Briefcase.
- When you share a program and collaborate, remote users
can use the File Open and File Save dialog boxes in your program to access or delete files on your computer or network.
To stop someone from using your shared program while you do not have control of the cursor, press ESC. To stop someone from using your shared program while you do have control of the cursor, click the Work Alone button. We recommend that you don't leave your computer unattended while sharing a program and collaborating.
- You cannot drag an object to a shared program or drag
an object from a shared program to the desktop.
- When you share control of a program, others will be
able to use features in that program to control hardware devices (for example, to print a file) However, this does not automatically share programs that report status for these devices (for example, the Background Print Monitor)
- When you share a program with an Input Method Editor (IME),
you should display the IME status bar so that other people can use the mouse to activate the IME.
If the IME does not support displaying the status bar, or if other people are having trouble activating the IME, you should activate and deactivate the IME for them.
- If the IME window fails to repaint during a meeting, you can
cause it to repaint by clicking anywhere on the desktop.
- Ecco Pro cannot be shared.
- Maximizing shared programs when computers in the meeting
have different screen resolutions may not work properly.
- We recommend that you wait at least 20 seconds after
initiating or joining a new conference before sharing a program.
WHITEBOARD
==
The Whiteboard enables you to draw simultaneously with other users. Everyone in the meeting can see what is drawn on the Whiteboard. When one person in a meeting runs Whiteboard, it appears on everyone's screen.
Warnings and Known Bugs
- Some colors do not appear the same when they are used to draw
filled rectangles and circles as they do when they are used to draw text or lines.
- The Whiteboard does not maximize to the full size of a 1024x768
or larger display.
- Some graphics will not be displayed properly when pasted into
the Whiteboard
- If you make several changes without pausing in the Whiteboard,
other users may be prevented from making changes.
CHAT
==
Chat enables you to type messages for other users to see. When one person in a meeting runs Chat, it appears on everyone's screen.
Chat files are stored with the .csv file extension. If Microsoft Excel, or another program that can read files in .csv format is installed on your computer, it can be used to open Chat files. To open a Chat file with Chat, open Chat, click the File menu, click Open, and select the file you want to open.
Warnings and Known Bugs
- In Chat, if you click Options and then select Clear Screen When
Joining a Call, this option will only work when you initiate a meeting.
FILE TRANSFER
=
Files dragged to the list of people in the meeting are sent to all the people in the meeting.
To send a file to a specific person, right-click that person's icon in the list of people in the meeting, and then click Send File.
To send a file to everyone in the meeting, click the Tools menu, and then click Send File.
To cancel sending a file, click the Tools menu, and then click Cancel Send.
Warnings and Known Bugs
- If you try to send a shortcut to a file, the actual file will be
sent instead.
- Exchanging files with Intel ProShare 2.0 does not always work
properly.
AUDIO COMMUNICATION
=======
By default, audio communication is enabled for TCP/IP calls.
To place an audio-only or data-only call, open the Advanced Calling dialog box, select Network (TCP/IP), and choose the appropriate option.
Audio is supported only over TCP/IP and between no more than two people.
Sound quality can vary significantly depending on your sound card and microphone. To automatically adjust your settings, use the Audio Tuning wizard.
With full-duplex audio, you can speak at the same time as the person you are speaking to. If your sound card supports only half-duplex audio, or if you have not enabled full-duplex audio in NetMeeting, you and the other person in your call will have to take turns speaking.
Warnings and Known Bugs
- Pressing CTRL+ALT+DELETE might disconnect the audio connection.
- If you join a meeting, or call a person who has selected
Conference Host in the Call menu, you will not be able to use the audio features in your meeting.
- The Audio Tuning wizard doesn't work while you are in a call with
audio.
- If you are experiencing choppy full-duplex sound quality, try
switching Microsoft NetMeeting to half-duplex sound quality.
>>>To switch Microsoft NetMeeting to half-duplex sound quality:
1. Make sure that you are not on a NetMeeting call.
2. Click the Tools menu, and then click Options.
3. Click the Audio tab.
4. Click to clear the Enable Full Duplex Audio check box.
- If you are having problems with your audio quality or sound
card when using NetMeeting, it might be related to your hardware configuration or driver installation. Please open the NetMeeting home page at Microsoft to get the latest support information. To open the NetMeeting home page, on the Help menu, click NetMeeting Home Page.
- If your computer has more than one audio device, NetMeeting
might not always use the specific devices selected in the Audio Tuning wizard. To avoid this problem, you should ensure that the audio devices selected in the Audio Tuning wizard match the selections in the Multimedia Properties dialog box in Control Panel.
- If the Audio Tuning wizard indicates that your sound card is not
supported, you might still be able to use the audio features of NetMeeting, but might experience poor audio quality.
- We recommend that you not switch between full-duplex and
half-duplex audio while in a meeting with audio.
- Full-duplex audio might not work with Media Vision Pro Audio
Spectrum 16 sound cards.
HANGING UP
==
When you hang up, you disconnect anyone you have called or anyone who called you. If the disconnected users have invited or accepted other users into the meeting, they are also disconnected.
KNOWN ISSUES
==
- You cannot run ReachOut 5.0 on computers where Microsoft
NetMeeting is installed.
>>>To find the name that NetMeeting uses as your NetBIOS name:
1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel. 2. Click the Network icon. 3. Click the Identification tab. The Computer Name is displayed.
- If you use User Profiles to maintain your Windows preferences
on all the computers on a network, you might have to rerun the Audio Tuning wizard when you switch computers.
- If you have NetMeeting running on more than one computer and
have specified the same e-mail address on each computer, you will have trouble connecting to the User Location Service.
- If you change your name while in a call, it is not completely
updated until you exit and re-start NetMeeting.
- Both Microsoft FrontPage and Microsoft NetMeeting currently use
the same file type (.cnf).
- When you are in a meeting, your clipboard is shared with everyone
else in the meeting. This enables you to paste objects other people cut or copy to the clipboard into your local programs. There is a system policy that disables clipboard sharing.
- Changing the name of your User Location Service will not log you
on to the new User Location Service, you must log on manually.
- If you are using Windows 98, canceling the Dial-Up Networking dialog
that appears when you start NetMeeting will appear to cause NetMeeting to stop responding, however NetMeeting will work fine after about two minutes. You will not be logged on to the User Location Service until you manually connect to your Internet Service Provider and log on to the User Location Server.
- Right-clicking a person's icon and clicking Send Mail will not work
if the e-mail address is invalid.
- If you create a SpeedDial, clicking Send to mail recipient will
only work if your e-mail program recognizes MAPI (for example, Microsoft Exchange recognizes MAPI).
