CU-SeeMe for Windows README file 7-13-94 CU-SeeMeW0.34b1 BETA VERSION for (self-selected) Testers ONLY CU-SeeMeW0.34b1 is now available on gated.cornell.edu /pub/video for anonymous ftp. ***WARNING*** This is beta software. It has been alpha tested for a couple of weeks, and there are still a few problems. If you pick it up and use it, you are volunteering to be a beta tester. -------Bugs fixed in 0.34 ------ * Fix for "Error binding to videosend port (1048)" bug. This bug occurred when users were using the UDP socket for something else, like NFS, or Lan Workplace. * Fix "Divide by zero" error when the 'max kbits/sec' preference setting was set to zero. ------ Known Bugs remaining in 0.34 ------ * Sending video with the Trumpet Winsock does not work at all well. After a couple of minutes, packet reception stops and all other winsock applications are broken as well. This problem may also apply to FTP Software's PCTCP stack. * Some users of Lan Workplace get an error message: "Unable to create UDP socket (10055)". This error message means that there are not enough buffers; too many connections. I'll figure this out when I get a copy of Lan Workplace. * Some users find that Eudora is not able to find its files as though the PATH were damaged after CU-SeeMe is started. It works fine for me, of course. * If you try to connect to yourself, you get stuck in a loop and have kill CU-SeeMe w/ cntrl-alt-del. You have to restart Windows to get access to the video capture again. ------ New Stuff in 0.34 ------- * Conference ID. Reflectors can be set up to require a conference ID in order to connect (a number from 0 to 65535). If the reflector Conference ID is set to zero, any user with any ID can connect. Otherwise, only users who know in advance the correct conference ID will be allowed to connect. The Conference ID is set in the 'connect' dialog box. * Message-of-the-Day and Reflector-Message. A Window appears when you connect to a reflector (if the reflector is configured with one) telling you relevent information about the reflector and/or any upcoming conference information. The Reflector-Message tells you about any errors that have occurred, such as your code version is too old, or you have the wrong conference ID. If you operate a reflector, you might want to use this facility to explain policies, etc. that apply to use of your reflector. * 'Max Open Windows' preferences feature. You can now limit the number of open windows that can be open at one time on your screen. This is most useful if you have limited bandwidth and you want to exclude windows with no relevant activity and keep new windows from popping up automatic- ally. Enter a number between 2 and 8 (includes your local window). * Video window positions are remembered between sessions. ------ Other New Features / Future Plans REFLECTOR There is also a new version of the reflector, which you need to run to have the audio properly handled. (Note: we are one release further to b2 compared with the version released last week. You need this new version to support the new MOTD feature in the reflector/client.) It will also permit the use of stand-alone Maven. It is on the usual anonymous ftp site, gated.cornell.edu /pub/video. AUDIO This is the next major feature to be added to the Windows version. I hope to have a test version by early this Fall. -------------Basic CU-SeeMe Info--------------- The following info has been lightly updated for version 0.34, but is basically the info about the prior version. A Macintosh and PC videoconferencing program, CU-SeeMe, is available free from Cornell University under copyright of Cornell and its collaborators. CU-SeeMe version 0.70 provides a one-to-one connection, or by use of a reflector, a one-to-many, a several-to-several, or a several-to-many conference depending on user needs and hardware capabilities. It displays 4-bit grayscale video windows at 160x120 pixels or at double that diameter, and does now includes audio. So far as we know, CU-SeeMe was the first and may still be the only software available for the Macintosh which supports real-time multi-party videoconferencing on the Internet. CU-SeeMe is intended to provide useful conferencing at minimal cost. Receiving requires only a Mac with a screen capable of displaying 16 grays and a connection to the Internet. Sending requires the same plus a camera and either an AV-Mac or a SuperMac VideoSpigot board, Quicktime and SpigotVDIG extensions added to the system folder. At this time CU-SeeMe runs on the Macintosh (with audio) and the PC (without audio) using an IP network connection. With CU-SeeMe each participant can decide to be a sender, a receiver, or both. WARNING: Although being improved with each version, CU-SeeMe is not mature production software--USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. And also, PLEASE TREAT THE INTERNET KINDLY--keep b/w limits set down under 100kbps, or less if you share limited bandwidth with others. Many, many folks connected to the Internet can use CU-SeeMe with default settings and cause no problem to anyone else; but unfortunately, not everyone. If you don't know whether using CU-SeeMe will mess up the network for someone else, CHECK IT OUT first, please. CU-SeeMe was initially written for the Macintosh by Tim Dorcey with design assistance and sponsorship by Richard Cogger of the Advanced Technology group in the Network Resources division of Cornell University's Information Technology department (CIT). Important early contributions came from: Cornell University Medical Colleges (CUMC), Scott Brim, and John Lynn. Since Oct. 1, 1993, the CU-SeeMe Project receives funding from the National Science Foundation. A very significant collaborative effort at Cornell University Medical Colleges (CUMC) is contributing substantial expertise and code. Development contributers to CU-SeeMe0.70 (Macintosh): Cornell: Richard Cogger (Project Director/PI), Tim Dorcey, Scott Brim (Co-PI), John Lynn, Larry Chace; CUMC: Steve Erde, Aaron Freimark, Aaron Giles. Development contributers to CU-SeeMeW0.34 (PC Windows): Cornell: Richard Cogger (Project Director/PI), Steve Edgar, Richard Kennerly. This material is partially based on work sponsored by the National Science Foundation under Cooperative Agreement No. NCR-9318337. The Government has certain rights in this material. *****The fine print***** Copyright 1993, 1994, Cornell University Cornell hereby grants permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this program for any purpose and without fee, provided that these copyright and permission notices, and those of Cornell's collaborators included below, appear on all copies and supporting documentation, the name of Cornell not be used in advertising or publicity pertaining to distribution of the program without specific prior permission, notice be given in supporting documentation that copying and distribution is by permission of Cornell. CORNELL MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTEES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. By way of example, but not limitation, CORNELL MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR THAT THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE OR DOCUMENTATION WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, TRADEMARKS, OR OTHER RIGHTS. Cornell shall not be held liable for any liability with respect to any claim by the user or any other party arising from use of the program. The audio portion of CU-SeeMe for the Macintosh was provided by Charley Kline's Maven. Charley Kline, cvk@uiuc.edu University of Illinois Computing and Communication Services 28 Feb 1994 Copyright (c) 1994 by Charley Kline and the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met: 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer. 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution. 3. All advertising materials mentioning features or use of this software must display the following acknowledgement: This product includes software developed by the University of Illinois, Urbana and its contributors. 4. Neither the name of the University nor the names of its contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific prior written permission. THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE TRUSTEES AND CONTRIBUTORS ``AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE TRUSTEES OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. *****What do you need to use CU-SeeMe?***** Specifications to RECEIVE video: - PC system with a 80386 SX processor or higher. - Windows 3.1 or Windows for WorkGroups 3.11 running in enhanced mode. - VGA or better display with ability to display in 256 color mode. - A Winsock TCP/IP stack - An IP network connection Specifications to SEND video: - The above RECEIVE requirements except 80386 DX or higher. - Video Spigot capture board or compatible board. (As time goes on more boards will probably be supported). - Video Camera w/ standard NTSC output (like a camcorder) and RCA cable. (Read on to find out how to get a tiny electronic camera for cheap). *****To obtain CU-SeeMe***** Use ftp (File Transfer Protocol) to: Server: gated.cornell.edu UserID: anonymous Password: directory: /pub/video Download the latest README file, if there is one later than the date at the top of this file you are reading. Then get the application and other files you need. More detailed instructions for doing ftp downloads are further along in this README. All of the software you need is available on the server except for the Winsock TCP/IP stack and, of course, Windows itself. ****Where to get a camera**** A small monochrome CCD camera, suitable for CU-SeeMe is available from: Howard & Associates 545 Calle San Pablo Phone 805-383-7444 Camarillo, CA 93012-8550 FAX 383-7442 AOL: HOWENT for about $200 or a bit more. The price varies from time to time depending on the dollar/Yen situation. Howard Enterprises will fax you complete specs and the latest price list. A few specs: - The part number/name is: NCK - 9102 TeleCamera - 1/3" B/W FT CCD Pixels 400H x 504V (Effective 378H x 486v) - Video Out 1.0vpp 75ohm (Negative) RCA connector - Electronic Auto Iris (Magnification 260) - Resolution: Horiz Lines >230 picture center, >200 edge - S/N >40db - Min Illumination: 8 lux or less - Focal length 6.1 mm, Focal Distance 600mm - Power 12VDC 130mA - Dimensions 43 x 67 x 120 mm Developer Comments: Subjectively, it seems to give a picture somewhat less crisp than a typical camcorder, but perfectly useable. At 28-30 inches, it seems to frame about the right size for my taste. He has color models too, which provide better balance of tones even in b&w, but a little less light sensitivity. Note with earlier versions of CU-SeeMe, the lower sensitivity was a problem, but with 0.60, the brightness and contrast controls in the software allow you to compensate. The color model is probably a better bet and worth the small extra cost. Please send comments and suggestions to r.cogger@cornell.edu. Please send bug reports to cu-seeme-bugs@cornell.edu. You can be a great help in making CU-SeeMe a good, stable application. Be Seeing You. The CU-SeeMe Development Team Cornell University Information Technologies (CIT) Cornell University Ithaca, New York *********************************************************** CU-SeeMe Maillist For anyone interested in following developments in CU-SeeMe or its use, an automated maillist has been established. The list is provided for unrestricted discussion of the CU-SeeMe packet video software under development by the Cornell CU-SeeMe project and its collaborators. Developers and project management all read the list. Currently, there are over 460 members on the list, and there are usually several messages each day. We, and other users, would also like to hear about and discuss innovative uses of CU-SeeMe. Please write and tell us your story. To join the list, send a message with the following line as the entire message body to listserv@cornell.edu: subscribe cu-seeme-l (Substitute your actual name, please; it's amazing how many don't.) You should receive a confirming message with extensive instructions on use of the list. You can send mail to be distributed to the list to: cu-seeme-l@cornell.edu. Please be sure to send to this address ONLY when you want your message redistributed. ************************************************************ How to FTP CU-SeeMe Materials To obtain CU-SeeMe, use ftp (file transfer protocol) from gated.cornell.edu in the directory /pub/video. The software (CU-SeeMe, vdig, etc.) are stored in MacBinary II format which will automatically be unpacked by Fetch. Documentation files have README and version numbers of corresponding software in their names and are simple text. Using Fetch to ftp: Fetch software may be used to ftp your CU-SeeMe software The Host is gated.cornell.edu, the User ID is "anonymous" and the directory is /pub/video. Be sure to select the 0.70 version (later versions are for developers) of CU-SeeMe and the latest ReadMe file. Select "Automatic" for file type and use "get file" to transfer the software to your desktop. The CU-SeeMe ReadMe file has all of the information included in this e-mail. Using Mosaic to ftp: NCSA's Mosaic software can be used to ftp your CU-SeeMe software via gopher. Select "Open URL" from the file menu. Type gopher://gated.cornell.edu/ in the URL window. Select the directory /pub/video. Be sure to select the 0.70 version of CU-SeeMe and the latest ReadMe file. The CU-SeeMe ReadMe file has all of the information included in this e-mail, plus instructions for operating CU-SeeMe. ************************************************************ HOW TO OPERATE A CU-SeeMe REFLECTOR: Obtain software and documentation -- a tar file may be obtained via anonymous ftp from gated.cornell.edu in directory /pub/video/reflector. Untar and install in the usual way on a Sun Sparc with a good Internet connection. (Reporedly, it also runs on SGI's.) The README is available as txt file seperately if you want to read about it first before downloading. We have carried up to 16 participants on a reflector (a real bash). But give some thought to how reflectors are linked together and how many streams are flowing on which paths. Currently, CU-SeeMe limits open windows to 8, but trying to have 8 folks each send one stream and receive 7 thru the same reflector, assuming it has just one ethernet interface, would mean 8 streams in and 56 out. If each tries to get 100Kbps through at some point in time, you would be trying to get 6.4 Mbit/sec thru the ethernet. That would probably be deep into the collision realm. With reflector networking features, you can set up a reflector net which could give a fairly large conference; PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THE LOAD YOU PUT ON THE INTERNET.