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Using iChat or AIM and installation.
Communication in the world is changing fast and in ways we may
not have expected. At the center of the latest changes is the
internet, which is taking over from the telephone and mail. Archiform
3D by nature moved quickly into new communication techniques,
reducing our costs and improving our business.
One of the most effective ways we have to communicate now is
video conferencing. This is just as you saw it in sci-fi movies,
with face to face live chat and audio. We use it to communicate
with clients and between offices. It's is more effective than
a telephone call, is free. Looking a person in the eye while
you discuss your project seems to work so much better than just
voice.
Other features come with the system too, such as instant chat
and file transfer. It is now possible to transfer any size file
from one computer to another therefore eliminating those email
bottlenecks and returned mail due to oversized attachments.
Why we prefer the AIM and iChat system
We know and use the other instant chat systems, but the combination
of iChat and AIM (AOL instant messenger) has two important leads:
- Better cross platform compatibility
- Real video conferencing
The video conferencing on other systems isn't live and is without
live audio. They are more of an updating screen shot of the other
person, which we consider more of a gimmick than anything of
real use.
What if I don't have and don't want a webcam?
You will still be able to benefit from instant chat, large file
transfers and other services that exclude live video conferencing. Follow
the steps below but ignore the webcam installation.
Step 1 for AIM and iChat - Getting a screen name
Your screen name is what AIM or iChat uses to identify you.
Without this you cant login to the system. A screen name through
AIM is free and quick to obtain. It also gets you a free AOL/AIM
email account if you are interested in one.
- Go to www.aim.com
and locate the text "Don't have
a screen name? Get one FREE".
Click on it.
- Complete the form and follow the process to get a screen
name. You should be sent an email to your normal address to
confirm the account.
If you are on a Mac then proceed to step 3.
Step 2 for AIM - Getting the AIM software (Windows XP)
Currently (August 2006) there are two versions available, the
current 5.9 and the newer Beta version called Triton. We suggest
you use the older version for now. You can get AIM
5.9 from here. Ensure you are logged in using your new AIM
screen name when you do this.
Step 3 - Connecting your webcam
If we have sent you a webcam for your PC then it is a USB version,
and we currently ship Logitech
Quickcam Pro 5000 model, which does everything needed. It
plugs into any available USB port on your PC or USB hub. When
choosing a webcam for a PC ensure that it has USB 2 and a built
in microphone. If you don't get a built in microphone you wont
be able to enjoy hands free face to face conversations (which
would suck).
If you are
on a Mac and don't have a webcam already built in then you will
find the iSight to be a great product.
The steps to install on a PC are as follows:
- Put the driver CD into your PC.
- Connect the webcam to a USB port.
- Windows will say it has detected a new device. Follow the
prompts and tell it to automatically look for the driver. It
should find the ones on the CD and install them.
- Restart your PC.
The steps to install an iSight on a Mac are:
- Plug the iSight into an available firewire port.
- Enjoy!
You should now be done with the installation of the webcam.
If you have any issues with getting it to work on your PC then
you may want to look at this troubleshooting
page on AIM. There is a
patch that you may need to download and install. There could
also be firewall issues, which are explained on the same page.
If you have issues with getting it to work on a Mac then it
will be a firewall issue on your router.
Setting up iChat on the Mac
Lucky you! If you are running any version of OSX then you already
have iChat, which is compatible with AIM. It's simple, fast and
effective! There is also good news in that you don't need to
get a .Mac account at all - all you need is an AIM screen name
to make it work.
Adding buddies
A buddy is a contact. As a client of ours you would have one
or more of our staff members as buddies, as we would have you
as one. You will find that the buddy screen name of our staff
is at the bottom of any email you receive from us.
Time wasting traps
Instant text chat, if you haven't used it before, is a bit of
a fad. Just like when email was introduced, some people will
find it irresistible to overuse the system. Be strong! Ensure
that neither you or your staff get caught up in the gimmick for
a while and lose productivity. Just like email, cell phone text
messaging and other new communications tools, this is just another
step. It has significant advantages but can be the cause of lost
production hours when newcomers get wrapped up in it.
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