What is CuSeeMe?

Well, to make a long story short, CuSeeMe is a Video Conferencing software over the internet.

Right? WRONG!....

Hehehe.... I know those of you who really do know what CuSeeMe is must think I lost it, BUT CuSeeMe (let's call it Cu for short....) is really much more than just a videoconferencing software... It allows one to talk, see, and exchange views, feelings and experiences with people from all over the world, from the convenience of your chair at home, almost as if you had them at home with you.....

Because of it's concept, and because of the fact that it started out as a free application written at Cornell university, I think it's safe to say that there are many thousands of users who have at least one version of this software installed on their computers. The software runs both on Macs & PCs, which allow for even more users around the world to install it at home AND at work.

Due to the unprecedented success of the Cornell version, a company called White pine came out with what is called Enhanced CuSeeMe. Although many still prefer the good old Cornell version, WP Enhanced Cu offers many features such as color, improved sound quality, enhanced user interface and more. The current WP version is 3.0, but ver. 2.1.1 is believed to be the most wide-spread and offers the best features/performance ratio.

Cu uses a protocol called UDP. It supports one-to-one communication , where one user enters the other user's I.P and calls him DIRECTLY. This form of communication is often referred to as D.C (Direct Connect) by Cu users, and is used when the content of the video conversation is , err , private...

Then, there is the REFLECTOR. A reflector is a special type of 'user' who can be thought of as an Internet sprinkler.....It has an I.P that you connect to. The data stream, which is the video/audio that comes in from each of the users who connect to the reflector is being sprayed around to all the connected users, so that one can see/talk to the others, and each of the others can see him. This is a one-many and many-one mode, and is referred to as a conference or a Ref(lector).

There is an endless number of reflectors on the net. There are many sites with links to reflectors which update now and then as refs. are 'born' and others close or move to a different location. I found that it's best to pick out a few 'populated' refs. and visit them regularly. This way, you grow familiar with the people who show up there, and that is at the heart of what's so nice about Cu. Remember - any reflector is only as good as the people who come to it......

The reflectors are rated G , X/Adult/Anything-goes and Private. Although the X/Private refs. allow nudity as well as adult language and conduct, you'll find that many people go there just to meet others, chat, and basically have a good time. IF , however, someone wishes to SHOW on those refs. he/she is usually more than welcome.... ( Especially if it's a SHE.....). The G refs. do not allow any nudity, and are sometimes monitored by ref. operators. If you are caught breaking the ref. rules, you can be kicked, booted, or even banned from the ref. for good.

Speaking of ref. rules, those are usually as follows:

What you do in a D.C conversation is of course your own business......

Some considerations when using Cu - the overall bandwidth on a ref. is limited. I.E - the total data volume that comes in and goes out cannot exceed a certain value. The speed of the video is a direct function of the number of people on the ref. , the rate at which they send/receive, whether or not they send audio as well as video, and of course your own communication speed (modem speed, ISP load, Cu settings, number of open user windows...) If you experience slow video update or no video at all, you can visit some of the technical pages that I have linked on the CuSeeMe page, or simply ask the people on the ref. 9 times out of 10 you'll find someone who can and is willing to help out. As a general rule, it's not advisable to send audio on a full ref, unless asked to.... Most of the 'chat' is done via an IRC like chat box using keyboard entry. Cu users use many abbreviations to save time, as the chat can be quite difficult to follow if you have to read and type your responses at the same time...

Some applications allow for private chat between two users. the new versions have a built in private chat feature. the older ones can use the GeekPc app. for that.

As for compatibility: WP Cu offers some color 'codecs' or schemes that Cornell's versions can't 'see'. People who use this codec will appear to Cornell users as 'LURKERS' meaning - people who do not send video.

Last word of warning - Cu is HIGHLY addictive..... It's hard to say why really, but seeing the people you talk to and being able to tell if say, they are REALLY laughing when they type 'LOL' turns it into something much more than just another chat application. For some people - it's a way of living, and you'd be surprised how much time one can really spend on Cu.......

 

That's about it..... you are ready to begin your own Cu experience.... May you meet nice people, and enjoy your exploration of the Cu community!

 

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