Copyright: Copyright ©CyberScience Inc.


Common Problems

This section contains a compilation of the most common problems users have encountered using CyberPhone.  This list will grow as we discover and solve more problems.

One-Way Conversations - You can hear others, but they can't hear you.

This problem occurs when your microphone is not setup properly.  A good test of your microphone is to call yourself.  Select your own name in the Phone Book and place the call.  If you can't hear yourself then no one else will be able to hear you when you call them or they call you.  When CyberPhone is working properly, you should see a red XMIT light come one when you speak.  If this light does not come on when you speak, then others will NOT be able to hear you becuase CyberPhone is not transmitting.

This problem can usually be corrected by using an Audio Mixer program to turn up your microphone record level.  Mixer programs are usually bundled together with your soundcard software.  If the problem persists, try using an audio record tool to test your microphone.

Another common solution is to turn the Voice Detection level down in the Configuration Window.  Try setting this value to around 10 or 20.  Seeting the Voice Detection level lower makes CyberPhone more sensitive detecting speech.

How do I get Good Quality using High Compression?

High compression should be used when you or the person you're talking to is using a 14.4 modem.  High compression has its benefits and its problems.  It is definately more tempramental than Low compression.  Low compression provides much higher speech quality, but its higher bandwidth requirements can make speech choppy.  High compression requires users to be careful in order to maximize its quality.  When using high compression, hold the microphone three or four inches from your mouth.  Back off the in microphone volume a bit (using your audio mixer).  High compression has trouble with high sounds and has a tendency to sound metallic.

You will not get perfect audio with high compression.  The voice quality will be reduced and there might be bursts of noise.  On the other hand, choppiness will be greatly reduced for users with 14.4 modems.  We leave it for you to decide which compression works best for you.  We suggest using low compression whenever possible.

To change compression algorithms you must hang up and reconnect.  Try calling yourself to see how well each compression algorithm works and where to hold your microphone to maximize the speech quality.

Poor Sound Quality - Other users sound like they are talking underwater or there are pauses in the incoming speech (choppiness).

Poor quality can occur for a variety of reasons.  Certains factors, such as Internet traffic, can affect audio quality and are out of the users control.  Version 0.9 has several methods of overcoming the problems caused by Internet traffic.  If you get a bad connection, here are some things to try:

1)  Switch to High Compression:  This is a must for 14.4 users, but can help 28.8 modem connections as well.  The drastic reduction in the amount of data to be transmitted can reduce choppiness.  The reduction in choppiness comes at the cost of fidelity.  Overall, the speech may be more recognizable if choppiness was the problem under Low compression.

2)  Raising the input delay factor will improve audio quality by buffering up to a second's worth of data before playing it to the sound card.  This allows packets more time to arrive before delays cause choppiness.

3)  If you are a half-duplex user, raising the output slowdown will give incoming packets more time to arrive and can improve audio quality.

4)  Often connection quality will improve.if you hang up and call the other user again.

5)  There may come a time when text chat is all you can do.  <sigh>

Unable to Connect - I can't connect to a server at all

These are the problems we're really trying to track down.  Generally, this has been the result of CyberPhone not being compatible with a non-compliant Winsock.  We'd like to hear about these problems so we can get to the bottom of them.

One thing that seems consistant:  If running Windows 95, and you are NOT using the 32 bit winsock bundled with W95, then you must use the 16-bit version of CyberPhone.  The 16-bit Winsock bundled with most ISP's dialers do not seem to be compatible with the 32-bit version of CyberPhone.

System Hangs - While using CyberPhone, my system hangs.

This is generally our fault.  If you experience a system hang, please report it to us immediately and tell us as much as possible about your system and what you were doing with CyberPhone at the time.  We'll do our best to figure out the problem.  We've discovered and eliminated two bugs that caused system hangs for some users, so if you've had problems in the past, give it another try!


Configuration

CyberPhone configuration is accomplished by a combination of configuration files and selections in the Configuration Window.  Both are described in this section.

Configuration Window

The Configuration Window is opened by the Config Button on the Main Window.  To change configuration parameters, type in the desired values for each parameter and then press the Apply Button.  CyberPhone does not recognize any of the changes made in the window until Apply is pressed.  CyberPhone will notify you if there are any errors (values out of range, etc.) in your new configuration.  All errors must be corrected before CyberPhone will accept any new values.

The following buttons are used on the Configuration Window:

Apply:  Apply causes CyberPhone to recognize configuration changes.  Changes will be saved to the configuration file and loaded automatically when CyberPhone is restarted.  A popup dialog confirms that CyberPhone was successfully reconfigured or if an error occurred.

Defaults:  The Defaults Button sets all configuration settings to default values predetermined to work on the majority of systems running CyberPhone.  As with normal reconfiguration, CyberPhone will not recognize the changes until they are Applied (using the Apply Button).

Close:  Closes the Configuration Window without saving or Applying configuration changes.  When the window is later reopened, applied will be lost.

Voice

Output Volume:  This controls the volume of the sound card.  Values range from 0-100 with 100 being the loudest.  This volume is independent of a volume control on an external amplifier.

Voice Detection:  To avoid clogging the Internet by transmitting unneccessary data, CyberPhone only transmits data when it detects voice.  The Voice Detection level is the voice level below which no data will be transmitted.  Setting the voice detection level at 100 means that even the loudest noise will be interpreted as silence.  Setting the Voice Detection level at 0 causes constant transmission.  A normal setting for voice detection might be around 20 or 25.  If the XMIT light in the display goes on when you are not speaking, then turn up the Voice Detection level.

Ringer

Ringer On/Off:  This parameter turns on and off the audible alarm when you receive an incoming call.

Seconds Until Auto Reject:  This parameter sets the time that the phone will ring before informing the other user that you are not answering.  The connection is terminated once this time expires.  A value of 10 allows ten seconds to answer the phone before CyberPhone automatically hangs-up.

Soundcard

Soundcard Input/Output Device:  This sets the input and output device.  The available selections are detected automatically.  If you are using a full duplex sound card (see below), you may have to change the selection for either the input or output device so they are different.  If there are a number of different choices in these fields, try detecting full duplex with different combinations to see if it is available.

Full Duplex:  By pressing Auto Detect, CyberPhone checks the sound card and determines if full-duplex communication is possible.  A message will be displayed with the results of the test and the check box will be set according to the result.  The following card are reported to be full duplex:

SoundBlaster 16/32 (ONLY for Windows 3.1 & WFW with special driver)

AcerMagic S23

Turtle Beach Tropez

Gravis Ultrasound Max

ASB 16

Ensoniq Soundscape

Note that we have not had the opportunity to test all these cards with CyberPhone to verify that they are full duplex.  If you use CyberPhone in full duplex, tell us your hardware configuration so we can add it to the list.

Use 8 Bit Input/Output:  This sets whether 8-bit sound is used instead of 16-bit.

Output Slowdown:  This feature is available only in half-duplex mode.  Output slowdown slows the rate that incoming data is played by the sound card.  The effect is to allow more time for incoming data to arrive.  This can improve sound quality in a bad connection.  The other persons voice will sound deeper when slowdown is used.

Initial Delay Factor:  The delay factor controls the amount of buffering used when speech is received by CyberPhone.  The Delay Factor can range from 1 to 10.  Each unit refers to 0.1 seconds of buffering.  If the Delay Factor is 10, for example, incoming data will be buffered initially for 1 second (10 units of 0.1 seconds).  Setting the delay factor higher causes increased delay before you hear the other person speak, but can improve choppiness.

If you have a bad connection, try setting the Delay Factor higher.

Misc

Network Timeout:  The network timeout is the period before certain network connections are timed out.

Netscape Path:  This sets the path that CyberPhone looks for Netscape.  Netscape is used to display WWW pages associated with the advertisements displayed at the bottom of the Main Window.  Do not enter the name Netscape.exe name.  Enter the path ONLY.

Background Color:  The background color selection changes the background color of all CyberPhone Windows.  A number of preset color selections are available.  Note that when you change this value, you must restart CyberPhone to have the change take effect.  There is great debate over which color is best.  If you don't like our colors, then send us some new ones.

Automatic Login:  Setting this option causes CyberPhone to automatically log into a server when started.  The server and userid will be the same as the last login.

Supress Daily Message:  Setting this option supresses the Daily Message normally displayed when one logs into a server.  Occasionally, we say something important in this message, so we'd prefer you read it.

High Compression:  Setting this flag switches to a compression algorithm that causes voice data to be compressed approximately twice as much as normal.  This extra compression decreases the voice quality, but can reduce choopiness (because less data is transmitted).  High compression allows CyberPhone to be used over 14.4 modems.  Using high compression, the distance of the microphone from your mouth and the pitch of your voice will affect the quality of the audio.

TCP Voice:  We'd prefer not to delve too deeply into the differences between TCP and UDP, but essentially, TCP guarantees that all packets arrive in the proper order.  This can cause delays in speech when packets are delayed.  UDP simply streams the packets out as fast as they can be sent.  UDP generally gives better voice quality.  We've included TCP for certain specialized situations that hopefully none of you will ever have to deal with.

Configuration Files

Phone.dat:  This file is only used to set the port value used by CyberPhone.  This value can be changed to any available port number.  The default value used by CyberPhone is 12370.  To change the port number used, CyberPhone must be restarted.  Be careful when selecting a port that it is not used by another program.  Setting the port number is useful if certain ports on your network have restricted access.

Servers.dat:  This file contains a list of the CyberPhone servers that CyberPhone is aware of.  If you learn that a new server is available, then add the server name, IP, and port number to this file and restart CyberPhone.

Config.bin:  This file contains the saved settings from the Configuration Window.


Contents
CyberPhone On-Line Help (Version 0.9)

Welcome to CyberPhone on-line help!  This is the second version of our help system and it will continue to evolve over the coming weeks as we prepare for our release of Version 1.0.  We welcome any comments on this help system or on CyberPhone in general.  The new features included in Version 0.9 are the direct result of feedback we've received on earlier versions.  We're listening to your comments, so don't hesitate to drop us a line!

New Features in Version 0.9

1)  Text Chat - Allows text based chatting for verifying critical information or debugging a bad connection.

2)  File Transfers - Transfer files between connected users.  Nice when you wish to obtain a file for someone who does not have an FTP server or static IP address.

3)  Improved Phone Book - The new Phone Book allows you to choose the information displayed in the user list and allows userid searches.  The list of users is also a lot bigger!

4)  High Compression - The "High Compression" option compresses voice data sufficiently to be easily transmitted over a 14.4 modem, but has less fidelity than Low compression.  High compression is chosen if EITHER user has it selected in their Config Window and both users have it available.  Use Low compression whenever possible.  The High compression option IS NOT the final solution to our quest for perfect audio quality for everyone.  It is a temporary solution only.

5)  Background Color - Don't like CyberPhone green?  On the Config Window, an you can choose from several background colors which you might like better.  You will have to restart CyberPhone to see your new color selection.

6)  Misc Bug fixes - We have also corrected a number of bugs that have been causing users problems for the last several weeks.

Help Topics

Installing and Running CyberPhone for the First Time

Talking on CyberPhone

CyberPhone Main Window

Configuration

Other CyberPhone Windows

Common Problems and Questions

Technical Support


Installing and Running CyberPhone
Intstalling and Running CyberPhone

Installation:

CyberPhone is easy to install!  Just take the CyberPhone .exe file you downloaded and place it in the directory you want it to run from.  Run the file, and the files will automatically extract themselves.  If they do not extract, check to make sure you downloaded the program in binary mode.

Add the cphone.exe file to the Windows program group of your choice and you're ready to go.  There's nothing more to it than that!

Starting CyberPhone for the First Time:

Start CyberPhone

To run CyberPhone, click the CyberPhone icon (you just added it to a Program Group).  If you have not added it, then run the file cphone.exe.

Create A CyberPhone UserID

The first time you run CyberPhone, the Local User Information Window will appear.  Select a username and enter information about yourself in the data fields.  Please be honest about your location.  This information will be uploaded to the CyberPhone server when you login.  After this information is entered, the "Add" button will add your userid to the user list.  Press the Close Button to close the window.  The Local User Information Window will not appear again unless opened from the Options Pulldown Menu on the Main Window.

The CyberPhone Main Window will now appear on the screen.  CyberPhone is now ready to use.

Initial Configuration

Very little must be configured to run CyberPhone, but there are a few things to check on the Configuration Window:

1)  Set your Netscape path.

2)  Attempt to detect full duplex if you think your sound card will support it.  If it does not detect full duplex and you still think you should have it, then try various combinations of the Input and Output audio devices.

Most of the other parameters are preset to values that should work for most computers.  The Configuration Topic describes the other parameters.

This would also be a good time to make sure your microphone is plugged into the proper jack and that the record level is turned up.  The record level must be set using the Windows audio drivers.  On Windows 95, this is in the little speaker on the bottom right of the screen.  On Windows it is probably on the Audio Mixer in a Program Group associated with your sound card.

Logging into a Server

After starting and configuring CyberPhone, it is time to log onto a server.  Servers are used to maintain lists of users currently running CyberPhone.  When you login to a server, you will be able to see other users running CyberPhone, and your user information will be entered into the Phone Book so others can call you.

Press the Login Button.  The Login Window will appear with a list of available servers.  Select a server and userid you wish to use and press the Login Button on the Login Window (not the one on the Main Window).  The server will be contacted and the server's daily message will appear on the screen.  Press the "OK" button to close the Daily Message.

After the Daily Message is closed, the server will automatically download the list of users currently running CyberPhone.

Using the Phone Book

Once you have logged into a server, press the Users Button to open the Phone Book Window.  This window contains a list of users currently running CyberPhone.  By clicking once on any name in the list, more detailed information about the user is displayed.  Double clicking on any name automatically places a call to that person.

To update the list, press the Reload Button.  This contacts the servers selected in the Server Window and retrieves an updated user list.  To change the servers CyberPhone contacts, press the "Server" button.  To close the Phone Book Window, Press the Close Button.

Placing a Call

Calls may be placed by either double clicking on a name in the Phone Book, or by using the Call Button on the Main Window.  When the Call Button is used, the name in the Main Window's display will be called.

Once a call is placed, a connection will be automatically established.  When the

Connection has been Established

message appears in the Display, you may begin talking with the other person.  For more information on carrying on a conversation, look for the hints in the Talking on CyberPhone topic.

Hanging Up

When you are finished talking, the "Hangup" button will terminate the conversation.  Both your display and the display of the person you were talking to will indicate that the conversation has ended.  A connection can be reestablished by calling the person back.

Well you did it!  Hopefully, you placed a call and everything worked great.  If not, now is probably the time to play with things a little bit, and if that doesn't work, go to the Tech Support topic and tell us what happened.


Secondary CyberPhone Windows

The Local User Information Window

The Local User Window is used to enter information about the users who will be using your copy of CyberPhone.  The Window is opened using the Options menu.  New users may be entered at any time.  You select from this list of local users when you log into a server.

To add a new user, enter the proper information in each field and then press the Add Button.  This will add the new information to the list of Local Users.

To change information about an existing userid, select the id from the list.  The information associated with the selected entry will appear in the data fields.  Make the required changes and press the Update Button to update the data.

To delete a user, select the userid and press the Delete Button.

To clear data currently entered in the fields, press the Clear Button.

To close the Local User Information Window, press the Close Button.

The Password protection and registration code fields are not currently used.

The Login Window

The Login Window is used to log onto a CyberPhone Server.  At the top of the window is a list of available servers (the choices are contained in the server.dat file).  To login, select a server and then choose the userid you wish to log in under.  These names were created using the Local User Information Window.  To create a new name in the UserId list, press the Newuser Button.  To close the window without logging in, press the Close Button.  One you have selected the server and the UserId, press the Login Button to log in.

The Phone Book Window

The Phone Book Window contains information about users around the world currently running CyberPhone.  The list on the left side of the Window shows the UserId of each user and either their name or location depending on the Name/Location selection at the top of the window.

When a user is selected on the list (single clicked), all the information about the user is displayed in the fields on the right side of the window.  Double clicking a user on the list places a call to that person.

The information in the user list is only updated when the Reload Button is pressed.  When Reload is pressed, each server will be queried for its list of users.  If a server is down, then it will take several seconds for the connection to time out.  If this wait is inconvenient, press the Server Button and deselect the offending server.  The next time the list is reloaded, the deselected server will not be queried.

The Close Button closes the Phone Book Window.

The File Xmit Window

The File Xmit Window is used to initiate and monitor a file transfer between connected users.  The window is opened using the Send Button on the Main Window or by selecting it under the Phone Pulldown Menu.

To send a file enter its name into the Local File Name field or use the Browse Menu to select the file.  If you want the filename to be different on the receiver's computer, enter the new name in the "Send As" field.  When the names are entered, press the Send Button

CyberPhone will now wait for the file receiver to accept the file transfer.  When this is done, the file will begin to be transferred.  The transfer's progress will appear in the message bar at the bottom of the window.  If either user presses the Abort Button, the transfer will be terminated.  Closing the window before the file transfer is complete will not halt the transfer.  During a file transfer, an "FTP" indicator will appear in the Main Window display.

The File Receive Window

The File Xmit Window is used to accept/reject and monitor a file transfer between connected users.  The File Transfer Receive Window is opened by selecting it under the Phone Pulldown Menu.  This window will also open automatically if the other user requests a file transfer.

When a user requests that you receive a file, the File Transfer Receive Window will appear.  You must then select either the Accept or Reject Buttons.  If you reject the transfer, the window will disappear and the requesting user will be informed of your decision.  Note that you have the option of selecting an alternate directory to save the file into.  You may either type this location or use the Browse Button to open a file selection dialog.

Pressing the Abort Button will halt the transfer.

The Statistics Window

The Statistics Window is used to monitor packet transmission and reception.  The Statistics Window is opened by the "Statistics" selection on the Options pulldown.  The Statistics Window has the following fields:

Transmitted:  The number of audio packets transmitted to other users in all conversations since CyberPhone was started or the statistics were reset.

Received:  The number of audio packets received from other users in all conversations since CyberPhone was started or the statistics were reset.

Discarded:  Shows the number of discarded packets received.

Missed:  Shows the number of packets that were missed.  When a packet is missed, the audio information it contained is lost.  Packet losses greater than 10% of packets received seem to result in the loss of sound quality.

Duplicated:  Shows the number of duplicate packets recieved.

Late:  Shows the number of packets received out of order.  These packets are discarded.

Errors:  The number of times that errors occurred receiving audio packets.  These errors might result in the loss of data, but most often do not.

The Event Window

The Event Window is opened using the Event Button on the Main Window.  Event messages are messages that indicate what CyberPhone is doing.  The Event logging checkbox causes event messages to be recorded in the file event.log.  We will often ask users with problems to send a copy of the event.log that was recorded during a session when the error occurred.  This, along with the CyberPhone bug report sheet, will lead to the answers of many question.

The Call Blocking Window

Call Blocking is NOT meant to encourage users to be anti-social.  It is meant to allow people with business to concentrate on their work without being interrupted by random calls.  The Call Blocking Window allows users to specify users that are allowed to call them when they are blocking calls.

This window is opened from the Options Menu on the Main Window.  To add a user to the list, type their name is the edit field and press the Add Button.  To remove a user, select their name and press the Delete Button.  When the list appears as you want it to, press the Close Button to close the window.

The Text Chat Window

The Text Chat Window allows users to communicate through a bad audio connection or to exchange vital information without fear of miscommunicating.  The Chat Window is opened from the Main Window.  When a user begins typing in the Chat Window it will automatically open on the receiver's side.  The text chatting then proceeds normally.  The Clear Button causes information in the Chat Window to be cleared, leaving a clean slate for continued conversation.


Talking on CyberPhone

Once CyberPhone is set up and you're able to connect to another user, its time for a conversation.  There are two basic modes in CyberPhone for carrying on conversations:  full-duplex and half-duplex.  This section describes each mode and how to use them.

The sound card determines if full duplex is possible.  Detecting full duplex is described in the Configuration Topic.  In short, open the Configuration Window and press the Auto Detect Button.  Full duplex requires a full duplex sound card.

Talking in Full-Duplex:

Full duplex mode is like a normal telephone conversation.  In full-duplex mode, you will be able to transmit and receive voice simultaneously.  Full-duplex feels much more natural than half-duplex and should be used whenever possible.  A list of full duplex sound cards that are included on the Configuration Topic.  We have not tested all these cards with CyberPhone, so consult other users before purchasing a sound card.  We are working in a definative compatability list for CyberPhone.

Be aware that although you may have full-duplex that others may not.  When half-duplex users are transmitting to you, you will be able to transmit to them, but they won't be able to hear you (they cannot transmit and receive simultaneously).  If you continue to transmit, their input buffer will fill up and you will eventually force them out of talk mode.  Also be sure that your volume is not turned up so high that the sound of their voice out your speakers is not enough to cause you to transmit.  Either turn down your volume or turn up you voice detection level.

Half-Duplex:

If full-duplex works like a telephone, then half-duplex acts like a walkie-talkie.  Although voice can be transmitted and received simultaneously, it cannot be played and recorded at the same time.  The bottleneck in half-duplex is the sound card and not the Internet connection.

CyberPhone tries to minimize the inconvenience of half-duplex using several methods.  To prevent audio data from being lost due to half-duplex, incoming data that cannot be played on the audio device is buffered.  The thick green bar that runs across the bottom of the CyberPhone display shows the amount of data in the audio buffer.  Up to 5 seconds of data can be stored.  When the buffer becomes full, then CyberPhone will automatically switch out of transmit mode and play the buffered information.  When the audio device becomes available, data in the audio buffer will be played automatically.

CyberPhone has two ways of talking in half-duplex mode:

Button Activated:

Button activated transmission uses the Talk Button in a similar manner as the transmit key on a walkie-talkie's transmit button.  When the Talk Button is pressed, your speech will be transmitted.  This transmission occurs regardless of whether or not data is being received.  If data is being received, when the talk button is pressed, the incoming audio will be cut off and transmission will begin.

If both users are transmitting simultaneously, the receive buffers of each users will fill up (assuming both users are in half-duplex).

Hands-Off:

Hands-off mode uses a voice activated switch to activate audio trnamsission.  When you speak, CyberPhone will detect your speech and automatically begin transmitting.  This does not overcome the half-duplex limitation.  When audio data is being received and played on the sound card, the voice activated switch will not work.  When no data is being received, the switch will acitvate and begin listening for speech.


Technical Support

CyberScience Inc. will make every effort to provide technical support for beta releases of CyberPhone.  This support will only be provided through e-mail.  Unfortunately, no phone support can currently be provided.  We will make every effort to respond promptly to users with problems.

Bug Reports

To report a bug or to tell us about your experiences with CyberPhone, write to:

cyberphone@magenta.com

Mailing List

Support may also be available from other users currently using CyberPhone.  The CyberPhone mailing list is the best way to contact these users.  To subscribe to the CyberPhone mailing list, send a message to:

listserv@magenta.com

with the line:

subscribe cyberlist

in the body (no subject is neccessary).  You will receive confirmation that you joined.

Please be considerate when posting to the mailing list.  You message will be delivered to everyone on the list, so please be sure that the subject of you message is relevant to CyberPhone or Internet Telephony.  People get irritated if they get too much mailing list mail.  Thanks for understanding.

Web Site

For more information about CyberPhone, check our WWW site at

http://magenta.com/cyberphone

Our Web page includes more information about CyberPhone and is the place to go to see the latest CyberPhone announcements.


The Main CyberPhone Window

This topic describes the CyberPhone's Main Window.  It includes a description of the display at the top of the window, the main control buttons, and each menu option.  The rest of the CyberPhone windows are discussed in the Other CyberPhone Windows Topic.

Main Window Display

The display on the Main Window contains summary information about the current CyberPhone system status.

Server:  Indicates if CyberPhone is currently logged into a CyberPhone server and, if so, what the server's name is.

UserId/Name:  Shows the currently selected userid and name.  This is the name that will be called if the Call Button is pressed.  If a call is established, then this is the person you are talking to.

Clock:  Your system time.

Talk:  This is the conversation mode indicator.  You can talk if the conversation indicator reads "Talk".  If it reads "Listen" then you must wait for the incoming data to be received.  If full-duplex is active, this indicator will always read "Talk".

Status:  This line indicates the current CyberPhone state.  The entries in this line should be self-explanatory.

Mode Indicators:  The next line contains a number of state indicators.  These indicators show compression type (Low or High), Muting (Mute or nothing), Call Blocking (Block or nothing), and the duplex setting (FDX or HDX).

The bottom line contains two indicators and several audio bars:

XMIT:  Indicates that CyberPhone is currently transmitting audio data.  The red meter to the right of this indicator indicates the volume of the transmitted signals.  When using TCP to transmit voice, the XMIT indicator will be blue.

RECV:  CyberPhone is currently receiving audio data.  A green meter to the right of this indicator indicates the volume of the transmitted signals.  When receiving data in TCP, the RECV indicator will be blue.

Audio Buffer Bar:  CyberPhone will buffer up to five seconds of incoming audio that cannot be played on the sound card.  A green bar at the bottom of the display will advance to the right as this buffer is filled.

Main Control Buttons

Talk:  The Talk toggle button is used in half-duplex mode when the Hands-Off option is turned off.  The talk button acts similarly to a walkie-talkie's transmit button.  When "Talk" is selected, voice will be transmitted.

Mute:  When Mute is selected, no voice will be transmitted.

Block:  The Block toggle button activates CyberPhone's Call Blocking feature.  Call Blocking prevents other users from placing calls to you.  When Call Blocking is activated, the BLOCK indicator appears in the Main Window Display.

Call:  The call button places a call to the user shown in the display.  Calls may also be placed by double clicking a name in the Phone Book

Hangup:  The Hangup Button terminates a call.  After hanging up, CyberPhone is ready to place another call.

Login/Logout:  The Login Button logs the user in and out of a server.  Pressing the Login Button causes the Login Window to appear.

Users:  This button opens the Phone Book Window.  The Phone Book allows users to select from the users running CyberPhone worldwide.

Config:  The Config Button opens the Configuration Window from which all CyberPhone's adjustable parameters are controlled.

Event:  The Event Button opens the Event Window.  The Event Window displays a list of events that have occurred during the current session.

Send:  Initiates a file transfer.

Text:  Opens the Text Chat Window to allow keyboard based conversations.  When you open the Window and start typing, the window will automatically open on the other user's screen.

Phone Menu:

Login/Logout:  Acts the same as the Login Button described above.

Call:  Acts the same as the Call Button described above.

Hangup:  Acts the same as the Hangup button described above.

Phone Book:  Acts the same as the Users Button described above.

Event Messages:  Acts the same as the Event Button described above.

Configuration:  Acts the same as the Configuration Button described above.

File Transer Send:  Acts the same as the File Button described above.

File Transfer Receive:  Opens the File Transfer Receive Window.

Text Chat:  Opens the Text Chat Window.

Exit:  Exits CyberPhone after hanging up the current conversation and logging out of the server.

Options Menu:

Local User Info:  This selection opens the Local User Information Window.  This window is used to create new userids and to change information on existing ones.

Remote User Info:  This selection is currently disabled.

Statistics:  This selection opens the Statistics Window.  This window displays detailed information about packet transmission and reception and can provide an indication of the quality of the audio transmission.

Call Blocking:  This selection opens the Call Blocking Window.  This window allows users to enter and delete names from the list of users who can call you when call blocking is enabled.  Users not on this list will have their calls blocked.

Manual Call:  This selection opens the Manual Call Window.  This feature is not fully implemented, but if you type the IP and Port of the person you wish to call, then when the call button is pressed, the call will be completed even if you (and they) are not logged into a server.

Download Ad:  This selection downloads the next ad from the CyberPhone server.

Hands-Off:  This selection toggles hands-off mode.  Hands-off mode only applies to users using half-duplex.  When hands-off mode is on, then the sound of your voice automatically causes CyberPhone to transmit.  When hands-off is off, then you will have to press the Talk button on the Main Window to transmit.

Smoothing:  The smoothing option is not fully implemented.  In theory, this selection should bridge the gap between packets received from the other user.  These breaks between packets result in popping noises and other distortion.  You must judge whether Smoothing currently improves sound quality.

Sound Effects:  This option toggles the sound effects that CyberPhone uses (dial tone, etc).

Auto Accept:  This option, when activated, causes all incoming calls to be automatically accepted.

Memo Menu

The menu pulldown provides a list of all the people who you have call and who have called you in your current CyberPhone session.