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CU-SeeMe Quick Start for the Macintosh

Hi! I'm Danny Boy, and this is Paul! We're going to show you how to quickly and easily set up CU-SeeMe.

To find out more detail about CU-SeeMe go to The Table of Contents and check out the Basic Introduction.

If you want more intimate information, go to CU-SeeMe Details.

CU-SeeMe is easy to use, once you know how to get it and you learn the rules. That's our job.

What You Need

Hardware

Minimum Macintosh IICI, 28.8k modem, video digitizer card or Connectix Quick Cam ($99). The Connectix Quick Cam plugs into your serial port (printer or modem).

We recommend using the Connectix Quick Cam!!

When using the Quick Cam, keep your modem plugged into the modem port, turn off AppleTalk, turn off your computer and plug the Quick Cam into the Printer Port. Restart your computer. Follow the set up instructions for the Quick Cam.

Software

First download the software from the Cornell FTP site by clicking here on the Cornell FTP site for CU-SeeMe software.

You are also going to need the TalkFM plug in module.

Be sure to select the most recent version (0.70 or greater) and the latest ReadMe file. The CU-SeeMe ReadMe file has all of the information you need plus instructions for operating CU-SeeMe.

paul Once you have downloaded the software (remember, if you have not specified a download converter like Stuffit expander, your computer will deposit the compressed files into your System folder. Rember this for future applications when you have lost a file. Take a look in your system folder, it's probably there!

Well, now that you have the software, place the Application and the TalkFM module into the same folder. TalkFM works much like a Photoshop plugin, CU-SeeMe recognizes it and makes it active in your menu bar. Make sure that your monitor is set to 256 colors before you commence.

Line Speed

Now you must realize that CU-SeeMe, like other Internet communication programs using audio and video, require high bandwidths of line speed in order to work optimally. For our purposes, we will stick with setting up CU-SeeMe on a 28.8k modem, as this is pretty much a basic line speed that is available over dial up connections, and you can get reasonable results.

If you are truly blessed, and have access to ISDN, T1 or T3 digital lines, then you will be able to communicate with audio as well as video. Since we are working with 28.8, we won't worry about audio, but we will set up for TalkFM.

Make sure that your service provider has given you a "fixed IP address." This will enable you to connect to other sites with the application you have downloaded.

Warning:

Currently CU-SeeMe does not work with a provider who is giving you TIA, or dynamic access. Dynamic access enables the provider to have many more people access their sites, and can provide service at a lower rate. Typically a provider in the $10 to $20 per month area is providing dynamic access. Make sure that you check if your goal is to use CU-SeeMe.

Firing it Up

Start up CU-SeeMe and select from the menu:

  1. Select preferences, type the name you want to appear in your header.
  2. Also under preferences, check all the boxes that apply, and for starters, type "4" in the space for maximum number of windows. This will allow only 4 windows to appear at one time. On a 28.8 hookup, you will want to keep the bandwidth as low as possible, depending on the machine you are using and the amount of memory available.
  3. Select Edit and Edit Nickname selections and then New....
  4. In the dialogue box for name, type an identifier name, for example, Cornell University. LI>In the dialogue box for IP, type the IP address,e.g., 132.236.91.204.
  5. Click on OK button.
  6. Now select from menu Conference and select Connect To.. Cornell University
  7. Click OK button
  8. Open Talk Window from the menu bar.
  9. For fast communication with typing, type in the talk window. Also, if someone else is communicating via talk window but does not have the "EyeCon" open, you can communicate to them.
  10. Away you go!

Simple Basics

This is where you can expand the picture size, otherwise known as the "grow box." This is what it looks like when the Grow Box is open. When CU-SeeMe starts up, you will have a window that looks something like this. The identification name you've specified appears in the menu bar. If you are able to transmit with a camera attached and your video digitizer is recognized, you will see an image. Control buttons appear below the your image, and below that is a status line.

The flip-image button causes your image to flip.

The status line toggle button determines whether the status line is visible.

The status bar contains the number of frames per second being transmitted, the status of other connections, and your transmission cap (the maximum kilobytes per seconds (kbps) that you'll transmit). Your connection status may be nothing,WAITING, TIMED OUT, or DISCONNECTED.

This is what happens when you expand the "grow box."

This is where the edit menu is.

When you want to select your preferences, use the following settings as a typical setting.

Type your handle here.

This is a sample reflector message that you will get. Each reflector operator will have their own message. Typically they will tell you the maximum cap rate.

This is where you can push to talk if you have audio capabilities.

Here is where you check to Send, Receive audio, or to receive Lurkers. Lurkers are those unfortunate souls who do not have video but do have audio.

A Little About the Reflectors

Reflectors are usually powerful computers running a unix based operating system, and use the CU-SeeMe reflector protocol.

If you have this type of capability, download the Reflector TAR file from the same reflector ftp area.

Follow the read-me files for setting up your reflector site. Also included in the download file is a current list of "public" reflectors that you can log into. Two of the most well used are Cornell, and New York.

News Lists

To keep up on the current happenings with CU-SeeMe, you can subscribe to a variety of news groups including basic information, and current events.

| Table of Contents | Introduction | CU-SeeMe Details |

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