NoteThis article refers to version 4.0 of Windows Messenger, which ships with Windows XP. You can now download the update to version 4.7 of Windows Messenger for Windows XPit's free. If you are using version 4.7, learn how to use it here. Not sure which version of Windows Messenger you have? Heres how to find out. With the right equipment and network connections, Windows Messenger in WindowsXP provides live, realtime videoconferencing on your computer. You can talk to people anywhere in the world and see their faces and surroundings. You can exchange text messages, or share files and programs. What You Need to Videoconference with Windows XPYou and your contact both need Windows XP, a sound card, a microphone, and speakers, or a headset; a Web camera, and preferably a broadband connection to the Internet, such as a cable modem, digital subscriber line (DSL), or local area network connection. (Using video in a conversation over a standard, dialup Internet connection is possible but performance improves greatly with a broadband connection.) To start a videoconference 1. | Open Windows Messenger. (Doubleclick the Windows Messenger icon near the clock on the lower right side of your screen.) | 2. | Click on the link to signin, enter your .NET Passport email address and password. Click OK. | 3. | Doubleclick the name of a contact on your list. The Conversation window will open. | 4. | Click Start camera. Windows Messenger will notify you that an invitation was sent. See Figure 1 below. | 5. | Your contact receives an invitation such as:
Jon would like to have a voice and video conversation with you. Do you want to Accept (Alt+T) or Decline (Alt+D) the invitation? | 6. | When your contact clicks Accept on the invitation, his or her picture will appear in your Conversation window as shown in Figure 1 above. Likewise, your picture is transmitted to his or her Conversation window. |
To see your picture inset in your contact's picture, click Options and then click Show My Video as PictureinPicture. To stop sending your video image, click Options, and then click Stop Sending Video. You will continue to receive the other person's image, but your image will freeze in your contact's instant message window. If you do not see the video, speakers, and microphone controls, click on the View menu, and then click Sidebar. If a contact does not accept your invitation, it may be because the person does not have Windows XP, or a sound card, a microphone, or a camera. If the person you are calling doesn't have a camera (and you do), then they will see you, but you won't see them. If you invite someone to a video conversation and you don't have a camera, you will see them if they have a camera. If the person you are calling doesn't have Windows XP, they won't be able to accept the invitation. To end the conversation, click the button beside Stop talking or Stop camera. If you are on a local area network behind a firewall (for example, a corporate network), you can talk to someone who is behind the same firewall that you are, but you may not be able to connect on a computertocomputer call with someone outside the firewall.
| |
