Video Conferencing

Simple, fast and professional… Yes I love this video conferencing. I can't believe how easy it was to set up my web cam. I have a USB cam, and here is how I did it.

• Install hotplug package

The hotplug is a sort of plug & play for Linux, it allows you plug in new devices and use them immediately. Initially hotplug became a standard for USB devices in Kernel 2.4 but from 2.4+, it became the base of the subsystem buses and driver classes.

I recommend the use of it, because it makes it easy to configure your USB devices including PCI peripherals. Newer versions support IEEE 1394 (Firewire/i.Link) and can even download needed firmware to USB devices. Many systems are supported including some mainframes and laptops' docking station.

I highly recommend you check before buying hardware for Linux; you should always check that it is supported. If it doesn't say Linux on the box don't buy it, period.

For more information visit: http://linux-usb.org/devices.

The cam Setup

1. Install the hotplug package
2. Shutdown the computer
3. Connect the web cam in an empty USB slot
4. Reboot the computer

Once your computer starts it should detect your web cam and configure it. If you already have GnomeMeeting, an icon should popup on your desktop. If GnomeMeeting is not installed, then install it and restart the computer. Now you should see the GnomeMeeting icon.

Fig 5.24

This Icon is also available through Main menu: Kstart => Networking => GnomeMeeting.

Click on the GnomeMeeting icon, a wizard start and walks you through the setup

Fig 5.25

Click forward to continue.

This wizard is also accessible through the GnomeMeeting main screen

Edit => Preferences menu (or press Ctrl+S).

The next step is your Screen Name:

Fill out the information; this information will be displayed when you go online on the ILS server.

Fig 5.26

Be careful with your privacy on line… I don't blame you.

Fig 5.27

They can see your face but they don't know your name. Click Forward and select your connection type Finally Click on Apply on the last Screen and you are set.

If you want to do video conferencing with NetMeetingTM users, you need to set up the ILS options in Directory Settings, under Edit => Preferences; make sure you check the Register option.

This screen allows you to reset all the settings, including your personal data. Click on all the options to find out what this is, and what you can do with it

Fig 5.28

If your personal info is all set as you want it, then you don't need to change anything here unless you want to use Netmeeting's option.