Microsoft NetMeeting
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Microsoft NetMeeting
What NetMeeting does?
NetMeeting is an easy to use software, that allows the user to communicate with one or
more distant on line users. It supports sound, images, chat and software exchange.
Where do I find NetMeeting?
Regardless which personal settings you have in your computer, NetMeeting starts if you
click on its image, which you can find in:
Start / Programs / Accessories / Communications / Microsoft NetMeeting.
That starts
NetMeeting
What happens when we first use NetMeeting?
NetMeeting, asks for user personal details, such us name, last name, email, country.
Modem’s speed is also requested. NetMeeting traces if there is sound card and microphones
and provides a brief test that will set the desirable volume. It also traces if there is a camera
connected on the computer, so that pictures will be transmitted. There again a short test is
provided, so that best settings will be achieved.
The whole procedure takes place through a wizard, which provides the user with small interactive windows in the screen: the user has to push the “next” button, if he agrees with the
settings suggested. Settings cannot be altered. An example of the wizard here follows:
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Personal data
Connection card with distant server, so that other
users can find your name
on a list. This setting is not
mandatory.
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Creation of
personal data
Definition of
connection
speed
Sound setting card. Press
“test” and adjust the volume setting
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By clicking on “finish” button the settings are tuned.
How a call is performed?
In the initial window of NetMeeting, we click on the “call” icon. Then, there appears the
window of a “new call”. In the address bar we insert the IP number of the distant computer
we desire to call. The IP number is a team of four sections of number combinations. Each
section can include a one, or two, or three, or four digits number, divided by dots. This number is unique for each P/C connected to the Internet. Every user has to know the IP of his/her
P/C. Instead of the IP number, we can use the name of the distant P/C (e.g lindos.rhodes.aegean.gr). We can’t use the name of the distant user. (e.g John). For the call to be
performed, we press the “call” button.
Microsoft NetMeeting
Call button
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Initial window of
NetMeeting
Window for the
call dialogue
Insert ID number
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This is a crucial
setting
By pressing ok we
add this in the speed
dial list
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What buttons do
That is the button with which all calls start
That stops a connection with a distant user
That stop the running procedure (useful when the P/C is “stuck” trying
to achieve a connection)
That refreshes the procedure of connection with Directory Server
That button displays the connection’s attributes
It allows us to create a list with connections we often use, to spare us
from remembering the distant P/C data. If we press this button the following window opens:
If we perform a speed dial, this button is appeared allowing us to
delete this specific speed dial from the list with all previous existing
speed dials.
It sends an email
Here are displayed the personal data of the distant user we are connected with
It switches sound and image
It allows the exchange of soft wares. The receiver- distant user can not
intervene in the procedure
Same as previous, plus the distant user can intervene in the procedure
It starts the exchange of written messages
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It allows the exchange of drawings. The moment one user draws,
drawings simultaneously appear on the distant user’s screen
In the Toolbar, if you press «Call» the following options do appear:
«New call», you can call a new user
«Stop placing call»: you quit trying to connect
«Host meeting», you become the host in a communication of two or more users.
«Log on to …», it connects you with the directory server.
«Change my information», it entitles you with the possibility to exchange personal data.
«Do not disturb»: you use that if you don’t wish to be interrupted.
«Create speed dial»
«New mail message»
«Hang up», finishes a connection
«Exit», you exit NetMeeting.
The toolbar «Edit» provides with the usual possibilities for «Cut», «Copy», «Paste»
The toolbar «Go» starts Microsoft Internet Explorer.
The toolbar «Tools» includes:
«Switch Audio and Video»: it switches sound and image in our connections
«Share application»: it makes the sharing of software begin
«Start collaborating»: same as previous. Plus, the distant receiver can intervene in the
procedure
«Chat»: written form of communication.
«Whiteboard»: It activates the possibility of simultaneous exchange of
«File transfer»: it sends and receives files
«Audio tuning wizard»: sound settings.
«Options»: rest settings that NetMeeting provides the user with.
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NetMeeting’s icon
appears on the right
corner of our screen.
NetMeeting will
automatically run
along with Windows.
Server name
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Automatic
receive of
video
Setting the analogy speed-quality
Definition of device in
use, if there are more
connected in the P/C
Communication protocols. It is crucial
that TCP/IP is
checked
The «Speed dial», consists in the creation of a fast call and it also displays a list with the
existent fast calls.
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NETMEETING IN AN OVERVIEW:
What does this program do
Placing calls overview
You can use NetMeeting to call people over the Internet, a corporate intranet, or directly,
using a modem connection. The person you call does not have to be using NetMeeting. Many
standards-based software products other than NetMeeting can receive NetMeeting calls.
Finding people overview
Using the Find Someone dialog box, you can view directory servers and address lists that
provide the names and addresses of people you want to call. You can find names from address books, directory servers, and the Internet.
Meeting overview
NetMeeting allows you to exchange information with friends and colleagues, to collaborate on projects, teach a class, and give presentations. During meetings, you can jointly create
documents, spreadsheets, or other files without having the software on each computer. In addition, you can send files to one or all, meeting participants.
Meetings can be hosted from your computer or a computer called the conferencing server.
When hosting a meeting, you choose a meeting name, password, security, and who can be invited to the meeting. When hosting a meeting from a conferencing server, you can access the
server and then select a meeting from a list. If a meeting is not named, you can use the default
name, Personal Conference, or provide a name of your own.
Security overview
NetMeeting gives you the ability to decide whether you want your meetings and calls to
be non-secure or secure. NetMeeting places non-secure calls by default. A secure NetMeeting
call can encrypt the data, authenticate meeting participants using authentication certificates,
and have password protection.
Audio overview
NetMeeting provides full audio capabilities. The audio feature supports microphones,
speakers, and telephones.
If you are using a microphone and speakers, your audio can be either half-duplex or full
duplex. Half-duplex audio allows one person to speak at a time. Full-duplex audio allows two
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people to speak simultaneously. Check with the sound card manufacturer to determine your
sound card capabilities.
Video overview
You can use NetMeeting to send other meeting participants a video image of yourself or
an item under discussion. To send a video image you need either a video-capture card and
camera or a camera that supports Video for Windows.
You can receive and view video images even if you do not have video equipment
Chat overview
Meeting participants can talk to each other simultaneously using Chat. Since only two
people can have an audio or video connection, Chat is useful in a group meeting because everyone can participate.
When someone sends you a Chat message, the message appears in the Chat window
Whiteboard overview
Whiteboard allows everyone in a meeting to draw and type simultaneously. You can add
and delete Whiteboard pages, draw shapes, type text, and emphasize an item using the Highlighter or the Remote Pointer. You can copy and paste items between the Whiteboard and
other programs, and from windows and areas of your desktop to the Whiteboard. Then, you
can use Whiteboard's tools to further illustrate the objects. Other meeting participants can see
your work without having access to your desktop. Synchronization allows everyone to automatically view the same Whiteboard page
Sharing programs overview
Shared programs allow meeting participants to view and work on files simultaneously.
For example, you may have a Microsoft Word document that several people need to work on.
You can open the document on your computer, share it, and then everyone can provide their
comments directly in the document. Only the person who has opened the file is required to
have the program on their computer. Other participants can work on the document without
having the program. Only one person can be in control of a shared program at a time
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The initial window:
This is the initial window of NetMeeting.
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The “call” button:
From the tool bar this is the "call" button
and the pop up window
This is the initial "place a call" window
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The “view” button:
The "view" button and its pop up window
If you check on the dial pad of the “view»
button, then the window on the left appears and you may call the phone number
of the receiver of your call
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The “tools” button:
Because the pop up menu in the “tools” button is crucial, the user can find the same functions in the icon-buttons in the initial window of NetMeeting.
The "tools" button and its pop up window
From here the user can share files, use the
whiteboard, transfer files and chat. Here
the user will find the automatic audio tuning wizard.
The share programs window enables
the user to choose what to share, or
stop sharing programs.
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This is the chat window.
Here is displayed the full dialogue
(both users)
Here is where the user types the message
That is the "send" button
Here is where the receivers IP address
is typed, or email, or computer name
or telephone number
From that window
the user chooses what
file to share
How is Whiteboard used?
If you click on the small icon of whiteboard, the automatically the following picture appears. It is very similar to the Imaging environment software. Everything the user draws with
his mouse appears on the distant user’s screen.
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NetMeeting buttons and icons on a glance:
Main NetMeeting buttons
Place Call
End Call
Find Someone in a Directory
Start Video/Stop Video
Picture-in-Picture
Adjust Audio Volume/View Participant
List
Share Program
Chat
Whiteboard
Transfer Files
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KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS
To
Press
Place a call
CTRL+N
Refresh a directory list
F5
Open dial pad
CTRL+D
Mute speakers
CTRL+K
Mute the microphone
CTRL+M
Open Chat
CTRL+T
Send a message in Chat
ENTER
Open Whiteboard
CTRL+W
Clear a Whiteboard page
CTRL+DE
L
Insert a Whiteboard page
CTRL + +
Delete a Whiteboard page
CTRL+ -
Open Shared Program
CTRL+S
Take back control of your shared program
Any key
Stop collaboration of a shared program
ESC
Send a file
CTRL+
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HELP QUESTIONS
1. 1. How do I place a call?
In the Address bar, type one of the following:
o
E-mail address
o
Computer name
o
Telephone number
o
IP address
Click the Place Call button
2. You can place NetMeeting calls in the following ways:

Directly. NetMeeting connects directly to an Internet directory server or to another
computer. To place a call, you either choose one of the people logged on to a server,
or you call another computer by typing its computer name or address.

Using a Gateway. NetMeeting can use a gateway on your network to connect to a telephone or videoconferencing system.

Using a Gatekeeper. NetMeeting uses a computer on your network that helps you find
and connect with other people, computers, and gateways. Gatekeepers control access
to the network, allowing or denying calls and controlling the bandwidth of a call.
They also help with address resolution, converting e-mail addresses into appropriate
network addresses
3. What do you do to place a call to a telephone?
On the Tools menu, click Options.
On the General tab, click Advanced Calling.
In the Advanced Calling Options dialog box, under Gateway settings, select the Use a
gateway to call telephones and videoconferencing systems check box.
In Gateway, type the computer name.
4. How do you accept and reject a call?

When someone calls you, the Incoming Calls dialog box appears. Click Accept or Ignore.
5. How do I end a call?
Click the End Call button.
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6. Can I take my name out of the directory server list?
On the Tools menu, click Options.
On the General tab, under Directory Settings, select the Do not list my name in the directory check box.
7. How do I send a file?
Click the Transfer Files button.
In the File Transfer dialog box, click the Add File button, and select the files you want to
send.
Click the name of the person you want to send the file to, or click All to send it to everyone in the meeting.
Click the Send All button.
8. How do I receive a file?
Click Accept to receive the file and close the dialog box.
If the Accept button is not clicked during file transmission, it changes to Close after the
file is received. Click Close to close the dialog box.
To reject the file, click Delete.
NetMeeting places the file in the NetMeeting\Received Files folder on your hard disk.
9. How do I share a program?
Click the Share Program button.
In the Sharing dialog box, click the name of the program you want to share.
Click Share.
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10. How do I send a message?
Click the Chat button to open Chat.
In Message, type the message you want to send, and then do one of the following:
o
To send a message to everyone, in Send To, click Everyone In Chat.
o
To send a message to just one person, in Send To, click the person's name.
Click the Send Message button.
11. Can I change the message format?
Click the Chat button to open Chat.
On the View menu, click Options.
Under Message format, click one of the following:
o
Entire message is on one line.
o
Wrap (message appears next to information display).
o
Wrap (message appears below information display).
12. How do I send a video?
Click the Start Video button.
13. Can I adjust my video settings?
On the Tools menu, click Options.
On the Video tab, make the desired changes
14. How do I adjust the audio settings?
On the Tools menu, click Options.
On the Audio tab, make the desired changes
15. What can I do with the whiteboard?
It is very alike to all drawing programs (e.g imaging). The tools are the common tools in
all picture making and editing programs. Everything the user draws instantly appears on
the receiver's screen.
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16. What happens what I have called a user or I have accepted a call?
A characteristic sound informs us about the receiving call. We can either accept it or reject it. If we accept the call (or if our call is accepted) then we can start talking. If setting support dual communication we can talk and listen simultaneously.
If the distant user sends video material (and the settings support video material sending)
then it automatically appears on the receiver’s screen. If a camera is connected in both sides,
then the connected users can see each other.
17. What if the picture you receive is of a poor quality (for example slow, interrupted movements)?
Picture’s quality is depended on the following factors:
 Connection speed. (A slow speed prevents a high quality picture)
 Settings in the relation between speed and quality: the bigger the speed demanded the
lower is the picture quality and vice versa.
 Camera’s quality
 P/C’s quality.
Any way, an impeccable picture is not to be expected
Picture’s size can be altered if you right click on it, chose Detach from NetMeeting, right
click again and chose Window Size.