Windows NT Internet and Intranet Development

To learn more about author Sanjaya Hettihewa, please visit the author's homepage.

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Microsoft NetMeeting


Microsoft NetMeeting is a powerful tool for effec- tively communicating with other users. Because NetMeeting is distributed free of charge, it can be cost-effectively deployed in an intranet or Internet envi-ronment to increase the quality and effectiveness of end-user interaction. In this chapter, you will learn about the capabilities of Microsoft NetMeeting, and how they can be used to communicate and collaborate with other users. Using NetMeeting, you can:

Figure 5.1. A file sent to a group of NetMeeting users.

Figure 5.2. The shared whiteboard is used to communicate with other users.

Figure 5.3. NetMeeting is used for online chatting.

Certain features of NetMeeting can be used in an intranet environment to increase productivity and share information more effectively. For example, two people can work together on an application over the network without having to leave their offices--better yet, they can telecommute from home!

Installing Microsoft NetMeeting

Visit the NetMeeting home page for the latest information about Microsoft NetMeeting. The latest version of NetMeeting can be downloaded from this page. At the time of this writing, NetMeeting 2.0 for Windows NT was in beta 1. You can expect to see the shipping version of NetMeeting at Microsoft's Web site by the time you read this.


URL: Visit the Microsoft NetMeeting home page for the most up-to-date information about Microsoft NetMeeting.

http://www.microsoft.com/ie/imn/

After downloading the NetMeeting distribution file, copy it to a temporary directory and execute it. Follow these directions to install NetMeeting on your computer:

1. Click the Yes button of the Microsoft NetMeeting install confirmation dialog box, shown in Figure 5.4.

Figure 5.4. Microsoft NetMeeting install confirmation dialog box.

2. Use the dialog box shown in Figure 5.5 to specify the installation directory of NetMeeting.

Figure 5.5. Specify the installation directory of NetMeeting.

3. The Microsoft NetMeeting installation program installs NetMeeting and displays the dialog box shown in Figure 5.6. Before NetMeeting is used, it must be configured. Acknowledge the dialog box shown in Figure 5.6 to configure NetMeeting.

Figure 5.6. NetMeeting is installed.


Configuring Microsoft NetMeeting

When NetMeeting is initially used, a series of dialog boxes is displayed to obtain NetMeeting configuration information. Follow these directions to configure your NetMeeting installation:

1. The dialog box shown in Figure 5.7 introduces you to NetMeeting. Click the Next button to proceed to the next dialog box and configure NetMeeting.

Figure 5.7. The initial NetMeeting configuration dialog box.

2. The dialog box shown in Figure 5.8 obtains personal information to configure NetMeeting. Enter the information requested, but do not type information that you would like to keep confidential, because other users might have access to it.

Figure 5.8. Configuring NetMeeting with personal information.

3. Use the dialog box shown in Figure 5.9 to publish your name on a User Location Server so that other users can easily find you.


URL: For more information on user location servers, visit the site at

http://uls1.microsoft.com/

Figure 5.9. Publishing your name on a User Location Server.

4. The Audio Tuning Wizard, shown in Figure 5.10, examines your sound card and tunes NetMeeting for optimum audio communication. Click the Next button after closing all applications that use the audio capabilities of your computer.

Figure 5.10. The Audio Tuning Wizard configures NetMeeting's audio features.

5. The dialog box shown in Figure 5.11 allows you to select the audio device to be used by NetMeeting. Select the audio device and click the Next button.

6.
Use the dialog box shown in Figure 5.12 to select the bandwidth of your Internet connection. If you intend to use NetMeeting for voice communications, use at least a 28,800 bps modem connection to the Internet.

Figure 5.11. Select the audio device to be used by NetMeeting.

Figure 5.12. Select the bandwidth of your Internet connection.

7. NetMeeting's audio can be fine-tuned by recording a voice sample. Use the Start Recording button to record a voice sample, as shown in Figure 5.13. NetMeeting is now configured and ready for use.

Figure 5.13. Tune NetMeeting's audio capabilities by recording a voice sample.

Using Microsoft NetMeeting

Microsoft NetMeeting can be used to communicate with other NetMeeting users (as shown in the dialog box in Figure 5.14). The top pane of the NetMeeting window displays users logged on to the NetMeeting User Location Server. The bottom pane displays users with whom you are currently communicating. The top and bottom panes of NetMeeting can be resized. Select Tools | Options from the menu bar to customize NetMeeting settings to suit your needs.

Figure 5.14. Microsoft NetMeeting is used to communicate with selected users.

When you are logged on to the NetMeeting User Location Server, other NetMeeting users can communicate with you. When a user wishes to communicate with you, you will see a dialog box similar to the one shown in Figure 5.15. Click the Accept button to accept a communication request; otherwise, click the Ignore button.

Figure 5.15. Another NetMeeting user initiates a communication request.

NetMeeting can be used to share files with other NetMeeting users. To share a file, select Tools | Send File from the NetMeeting menu bar. The dialog box shown in Figure 5.16 can be used to select a file to send.

Figure 5.16. Sharing a file with other NetMeeting users.

Summary

Microsoft NetMeeting is used to share information and collaborate with other NetMeeting users. Certain features of NetMeeting can be used to conduct virtual meetings on the Internet, where people share information using voice, text, and graphics.


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