CU-SeeMe is a videoconferencing program which combines audio, video and text-based chat capabilities that can be used equally as well with both Macs and PCs.

With CU-SeeMe, you can videoconference with another site located anywhere in the world. By using a reflector, which are videoconferencing chat rooms, you can see and communicate with a number of people from different sites at the same time.

The freeware version of CU-SeeMe can be downloaded for both Mac and Windows machines or a combination camera and software can be purchased from several online sites.

• Download CU-SeeMe software for the Mac Click on "Apple Mac OS." The software is listed as follows:
  • The first software on the list is for a PowerPC with a color camera.
  • The second is for a PowerPC with a non-color camera.
  • The third is for all other Macintosh machines.
    
    
• For Windows machines Click on "MICROSOFT Windows 95/8, 2000 and NT" or "MICROSOFT Windows 3.1."
  
  
• Purchase the CU-SeeMe webcam and software
  

Getting Started With CU-SeeMe freeware for the Mac

If the file needs to be unzipped or unstuffed and this function is not handled automatically by your computer, the following sites will provide the software which you need to download to complete this task.

Note: Once you have downloaded the CU-SeeMe file, if you double click on the folder and nothing happens, then you need to download a current version of Stuffit, WinZip or MacZip.

• Stuffit for Windows (Windows 95/98/NT/2000)
• WinZip (32-bit) for Windows (Windows 95/98/NT/2000)
• MacZip (Minimum requirements: System 7)

Click on Edit, then Preferences.

Change the video title to your name or a nickname if you prefer others not know your real name.

Check the other preferences to suit you individual situation with the exception of "Max Video Windows" which should be set at 8. Click OK.

If you have a video camera connected, go to Participants, then Local Video, to determine that you are sending a video signal.

If you do not have a camera, you can still receive video and send audio and text.

Recommended Settings:

MIn.kbits/sec: 1

Max.kbits/sec: 28

Max. w/out audio: will self adjust as you change the Max.kbits/sec.

Next, set your Reception. Click on the drop down menu once more and choose Reception.

Recommended Settings:

MIn.kbits/sec: 1

Max.kbits/sec: 28

Now that the settings are correct, you can connect to a reflector site. There are several places you can find lists of reflector sites, but be forewarned that for the most part they public sites that are not monitored. Adults have been known to use these sites as their own studio for broadcasting inappropriate behaviors.

• Reflector Sites with "reflector status" whether the sites are adult, general, etc.

To connect to a reflector site, click on Conference, then Connect.

A box will appear on the screen which will have a place for the IP address of the reflector site which you are contacting.

In addition, you need to check the whether you will be sending video, receiving video or both.

Click the Connect button and your computer will begin trying to connect to the reflector site.

You do not need to connect to a reflector site to use CU-SeeMe. If you know the IP address of the computer you are contacting or they know your IP address, a direct connection can be made.

The first will show that you are connected. If you are using a video camera, the local video output will appear about the area where it says, NO VIDEO.

The second window will indicate the sound levels for both sending and receiving audio.

If you click on, Push to Talk, you will be able to speak to any of users who are connected.

The button will change to indicate Transmitting.

The third window shows a list of participants and indicates their status. Click on Participants and select Show Participant's List.

You will now see a list similar to the one on the right. The eye icon indicates that they are sending video, the speaker icon indicates that they can hear and the microphone icon indicates that they can speak to you. An X through any of the icons indicates that they are not using this parameter during this session.

CU-SeeMe software has several versions, but the 3.1 version has features which are not found in the downloaded version.

Once you have installed the software, you need to open CU-SeeMe by double clicking on the icon. A window will open up which will look similar to the one below.

The names listed above on the left hand side are all reflector sites. Double click on any one to begin a connection.

If you know the IP address of the computer to which you are connecting, click on Manual Dial and a box will appear in which you will add the IP address.

Then click Manual Dial and the connection will begin.

If you decide to use a reflector site, the following window will appear to indicate you are connected. Click on Go and you will be ready to see and hear other participants.

Whether you are connected to a reflector site or an IP address, a list of participants will be shown on the left hand side of the window which will be similar to the one shown below. The icons indicate the status of all the participants. A camera indicates that a person is sending video, a Sender. A person who is not sending video is termed a Lurker. The eye indicates that this participant can see you, the speaker indicates the participants who have their speakers turned on and the microphone indicates all the participants who can send audio.

The local video window appears first, with the others appearing to the right of the local window. When you are connected to a reflector site, you will see your video and the videos of the remote parties that are also connected and sending video. In your configuration, you can choose how ever many videos to display simultaneously in the console window. Click on Edit, then Customize to choose the number of video windows you will display.

Click on the microphone to speak, or for text-based chat, put your cursor in the white area below Public Chat and begin typing your message. When you have completed the message, hit the enter key.

If you wish to speak to a specific person in a multiperson chat situation, click on Speak To and choose the person to whom you wish to speak individually.

If audio quality starts to deteriorate, it helps to stop sending video and provide more bandwidth for audio. Click on Video and choose Pause Video. This will provide additional bandwidth for audio, but still send a still image of you to all the participants.

To close a connection, click on Hang Up on the tool bar.

Note: Since most sites are not extensively monitored, adults have been known to use these sites as their own studio for broadcasting inappropriate behaviors.

• Use distance learning to increase the numbers of nontraditional type students in a college setting.
• Connect classrooms around the world for cultural exchanges of information.
• Have speakers or lecturers who are experts in their field speak to the class virtually
• Provide different types of instruction for home schooled students (partnership).
• Set up mentoring programs-adult to student or student to student.
• Set up audio and video online parent/teacher conferences to help increase parental involvement.

Additional Information about CU-SeeMe:

• CU-SeeMe Directory of Schools by Country

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