Videoconferencing Software and Hardware
Frequently Asked Questions
Cu-SeeMe Plugins
Videoconferencing Reflector Sites
Interesting and Useful Information
Sites to Help You Connect to Educators
Cameras on-line
Specifications and Technical Help

Videoconferencing Software and Hardware

• Cornell University's CU-SeeMe site for the free version of the original CU-SeeMe software. You can download versions for Mac and PC. The software can also be downloaded from http://www.download.com.

• Videoconferencing Technology presents general reference links to video in education, the Teleconferencing Consortium organization, Cameras for videoconferencing (Earthcam, Remote video monitoring, Axis Cameras, SnapNSend Software for building your own webcam), CU-SeeMe (White Pine Software), Databeam Conference Servers, Intel Proshare, ICAST Corporation Multicast Video broadcasting, Liveboard (Xerox's remote conferencing whiteboard), Netmeeting 2 (Microsoft's remote conferencing software), PictureTel, Winnov Components (video cards), and more.

• White Pine Software - home of the commercial version of CU-SeeMe which is often referred to as the Enhanced or color CU-SeeMe. An evaluation copy of the software can be downloaded at http://www.wpine.com/products/CU-SeeMe/index.html. There is a link to site which provides a discount for educators wishing to purchase the program.

• NetMeeting from Microsoft can be downloaded from the Microsoft site. A link to a review of the program and the programs features are included. The program is free and provides another alternative for client-side collaborating computing on IP networks.

• Logitech site with information about the QuickCam line of cameras which were acquired from Connectix. Cameras for both Mac OS systems (including iMac QuickCam VC) are included.

Frequently Asked Questions

• CU-SeeMe General FAQ from Digital Jungle web site.

• The FAQ on the Rocketcharged site.

• The FAQ section of the White Pines site includes information about cameras, video capture cards, using CU-SeeME through firewalls and proxy servers, where to find a list of videoconference sites, how to find your IP address, installation/configuration questions and more.

CU-SeeMe Plug-Ins
Many Plug-ins are available at this site for CU-SeeMe. Some of the items included are listed below.

• Geektalk (allows private chat in a reflector),
• Desktop Vdig (to show your desktop as your video),
• Imposter (show pictures as your video),
• G3 Mac Vdig Fix (an extension to fix problems with Enhanced CU-SeeMe and G3 Macs. Clicking here with download the "fix" to your desktop.
• CU-Helper (to connect to reflectors through web pages),
• CU-SeeMe plug-ins for Mac OS such as CU-Doodle (to draw in you CU-SeeMe window)
• Fastchat(to let you use phrases or text you type a lot for faster chats),
• Cekal's autodialer
• CU-Soon (autodialers to get into busy reflectors), and more.
• CUHelper is an utility from Cornell University which works between your web browser and CU-SeeMe so you can connect to a reflector directly from a web page. It receives the URL request from a web browser and translate it to a format that CU-SeeMe can use. This is useful for Cornell's version of CU-SeeMe. The enhanced version from White Pine already includes web browser support and so it is not needed. CUHelper 1.0 runs in the background (24K) and is free, thanks to Jason Williams.

Reflector Sites

• Reflectors of a general nature are listed on this page. Be sure to "test drive" these before using them with students.

• Nickname Lists for Public Cu-SeeMe Reflectors which can be downloaded to use with CU-SeeMe. Lists are for Macintosh and Windows platforms and are available for both the Cornell and the White Pine's versions of CU-SeeMe.

• Reflector Information to help you understand the two types of connections: point-to-point and reflector. A list of reflectors is also provided. The listing is extensive however you will need to be selective when using these with students and visit them to be sure they are "G" rated.

• Ask-the-Scientist site provides opportunities to join in online CU-SeeMe videoconferences. A schedule for the list of speakers and other broadcasts is included. Every week a scientist is scheduled to be available to answer questions. A link to their mailing list is included so you can be notified of events and schedule changes.

• CU-SeeMe Events Calendar at Global SchoolNet Foundation lists a schedule of CU-SeeMe events which may help connect you with educators and inform you of conferences you may be able to join. You may also register your event at their site.

• NASA Televsion These are NASA sites which can be used to view NASA TV using CU-SeeMe. Sites which NASA uses to broadcast are listed. Visitors to these sites are asked to view only and not to send video.

• CU Times Top 20 allows users to submit their favorite reflector sites. The IP number for the site is provided along with a rating. The ratings are based on a scale of G, PG 13, Unrated, R and X. Many of the Top sites are G rated. Related web pages, if any, are given for each reflector. This site is updated weekly.

Interesting and Useful Information

• The Queen's Film Studies CU-SeeMe site. contains information and links to other sites with CU-SeeMe topics.

• Distance Learning Resource Center at White Pines provides links to information about use of distance learning in the educational setting. Discounts to educators and links to Global SchoolNets Membership Program page are included along with case studies and resources for educators.

• Bill Woodland's CU-SeeMe Information Pages.

• An Introduction to CU-SeeMe by Daniel Fortune. Features a Quick Start section for the Macintosh version. Photos are included along with the text to show you how to configure your computer. There is also a link to download the software from the Cornell FTP site.

• Audio & Videoconferencing Information about various types of conferencing.

Sites to Help You Connect to Other Educators

• Schools in the United States Using CU-SeeMe who registered through the (Global SchoolNet Foundation) GSN directory.

• Schools listed by country so you can find schools or individuals who registered through the GSN directory.

• Ask an Expert site (Pitsco) with links to sites which give you information including ways to contact others interested in conferencing.

• Videoconferencing for Learning from Pacific Bell provides basic information about videoconferencing technology and instructional applications as well as links to resources and other teachers using videoconferencing.

Cameras On-Line

• The Amazing Fish Cam (You will need Netscape version 1.1 or later to enjoy this constantly refreshed aquarium located at http://fishcam.netscape.com/fishcam/fish_refresh.html. An alternative version at http://fishcam.netscape.com/fishcam/fishcam.html lets you select the camera size you wish to view.These windows are refreshed at various intervals but are not constantly refreshed.

• NASA TVLearning Technologies Channel has a schedule of events you can select to view. Archives of their web casts and chats are also available.

• Powerscourt Broadcasting Services provides information on interent based Video Conferencing and virtual office technology. A link to their education program as well as business solutions is provided. You can also select to watch their office in action.

• NASA Live Cams and Mission Displays offers 12 views from Kennedy Space Center and NASA cams. The site refreshes itself every 4 minutes. The page takes a long time to load initially.

• Ambit's Live Web Cameras provides a variety of subjects caught on web cams including Steve's Ant Farm, The Lincoln Park Zoo Lion House, Marshall Space Center, Kennedy Space Center Mission Control, links to weather cams around the U.S., the Bradford Robotic Telescope and scenic cams around the world.

• Elephant Cam allows you to register to be involved in the National Zoo Elephant Demo. One week notice is suggested if you want to participate. The demonstrations are held every Thursday at 1:30 pm (EST), 10:30 am (PST).

• Leonards Cam World provides links to sites that use LIVE web cams. A notice on the home page states that links are only provided to sites that can be viewed by children of all ages. You can visit Niagra Falls, Belfast, London, Japan's Mt. Fuji, Las Vegas and many other cities worldwide. Even the cameras at Disney World have a link at this site. Visitors can suggest links to be added.

• Sea World provides a Penguin Cam and a Shark Cam for visitor viewing. You need to download the NetShow Player in order to view the live show at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/mediaplayer/download/default.asp/ The download time for a 28.8 modem is 19 to 26 minutes depending on the version needed.

• Discovery Channel has live animal cams set up for sharks, orangutan and other animals.

Specifications - Technical Information or Help

• Digital Jungle's comprehensive site about CU-SeeMe. Includes a user's guide, links to mailing lists, troubleshooting information for both Macintosh and Windows platforms, information about using CU-SeeMe with a firewall, and a reflector list which can be downloaded.

• A comprehensive glossary of videoconferencing terms from Address Mask to ZTerm.

• Technical information in a brief, to the point listing which gives you the minimum requirements for CU-SeeMe. Both Mac and PC and the freeware as well as commercial versions of the product are included.

• MaCoE's unofficial White Pines pages which include general requirements for the enhanced version of CU-SeeMe for both Mac and PC platforms.

• A screen shot of the 3.0 User Interface for CU-SeeMe.

• A CU-SeeMe Help Page offers information on Do's and Don't for new users, CU-SeeMe trouble shooting, information about compatible cameras and video cards, reflector information and Cuseeme Center message forums link.