Netmeeting

Microsoft® Netmeeting is a real-time collaboration and conferencing client, that allows multiple users to chat, draw, send, and share real-time, and additionally send video and sound. Some examples of its use are having a business conference, and helping a friend with a problem on his computer. Netmeeting comes with Windows, and maybe not be needed. If you would like to test for the existence of Netmeeting, enter "conf" in the run dialog box, and press Ok. If an error didn't occur, and Netmeeting, or the following similar splash screen appear, you have it.

If you don't have it, it is free to download from the Microsoft® website. Visit their Netmeeting section, where a copy of Netmeeting is available for download. A SDK is also available for programmers. Once installed, Netmeeting is accessible from the Start Menu in Accessories. On Windows XP systems, there is no Start Menu shortcut. It is bundled with Windows XP hidden. Open the Run dialog box, and type "conf", and press Ok. The following article explains setup of Netmeeting

Basic Setup

If you first start Netmeeting, you may be confronted with a dialog similar to below. It explains an overview of Windows Netmeeting, and its capabilities. Press Next. No user input is necessary on this step.

Figure 1.0

After that, you will see another dialog like the one below. Enter a First Name, Last Name, and E-mail address. They don't have to be true, if you don't want to expose yourself. To explain any incorrect beliefs, you are not signing up or registering for anything (I can't stress that enough). This information is sent to the other users, but is stored on your computer. Examples would be: Netmeeting, User, User@Netmeeting. Press Next when finished.

Figure 1.1

The next step allows you to connect to a directory server so others can find you. This is outdated, as Netmeeting is now integrated with MSN Messenger, and this will do not use. Uncheck the "Log on to a directory server when NetMeeting stars" checkbox, and check "Do not list my name in the directory". Continue by pressing Next.

Figure 1.2

The next following two steps may not appear on your system, but will appear on Windows XP. The first dialog box asks you for the speed of your connection. The second asks you if you want to place shortcuts to Netmeeting and is totally your choice. Continue by pressing Next.

Figure 1.3

Figure 1.4

You have completed the basic setup wizard. The next wizard will help you setup your audio settings. Press Next to continue. No user input is necessary on this step.

Figure 2.0

Audio Setup

The first step will test your sound output. Press Test and adjust the volume as necessary. Press Next when done.

Figure 2.1

After that step, this step will test your microphone. If your soundcard supports a stereo input, or sound input setting, you can set it to use that in Volume controls (and be your own Netmeeting radio station). Say the sentence into the input device, and adjust the bar. If you do not have one, or have not plugged yours in, you can press Next, and set it up later from the Tools menu of Netmeeting. Press Next when done configuring.

Figure 2.2

The next step depends whether your microphone worked. If it did work, it will display a successful message, and will tell you some additional information. If it failed to record any sound, it will display an error message. Whether it worked or not, it will not impair the majority functions of Netmeeting. Press Next.

Figure 2.3.0

Figure 2.4.1

Successful

Once you completed the two wizards, Netmeeting is setup, and you can start doing some conferencing! The following is an overview of Netmeeting's interface.

The top drop down box is where you can enter an IP address, or computer name to connect to. The video and sound controls are below the large video window. The large box above the 4 large buttons is a list of current attendees of the current meeting. The four buttons at the bottom, from left to right, are Share Desktop (allows you to share your desktop to other attendees), Chat (chat with other attendees), Whiteboard (draw with other attendees), and File Transfer (transfer files to other attendees).

You have finished the first article of Netmeeting. Wait till the next for more in depth coverage.

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