Here's what Video ChatHosts need to know about sending sound to your viewers:

What do I need?
First, you'll need to be running iFCam version .95a or later (.95b or later gives you additional control over your sound). If your iFCam is older than this, you can download the latest version from the site Download Center, http://www.webcamsmakemoney.com/download.htm.

Second, you'll need a sound card. Nearly all home-user PC's now come with one, but if your PC is older, it may not. This will look like a series of small holes where your PC's sound equipment plugs into. If your computer has speakers, then it has a sound card.

Finally, you'll need a microphone. If your computer doesn't have one, you can pick one up for less than ten bucks at your local computer store. Just plug the microphone into the microphone jack on your sound card (this will be a small hole close to where your speakers connect to your computer. (It will most likely be labled with "MIC", "MIC IN", or a picture of a microphone). Check with your computer's documentation if you have any trouble.

What do my viewers need?
Chances are, your viewers won't need to do a thing to hear you. So long as they have speakers connected and the rest of their sounds work, they're set. They won't even have to download any special receiving software or plug-ins; everything works through their web browser. It works with Netscape AND MSIE, and we've tested it with both Windows and Mac users. The only viewers who will have problems are those using America OnLine's built-in web browser; the sound just won't work with that. If they want to hear sound, they can run either Netscape or MSIE right on top of their AOL connection.

How do I use it?
It couldn't be easier. With the introduction of IFCam v.95b, you now have your choice of how to control the sound. If you are using the default settings, it works just like a "walkie-talkie". When you're ready to speak, click AND HOLD DOWN the "Press to Talk..." button in your IFCam. Everything your microphone hears, your viewers will hear. Remember: With the default settings, they will ONLY hear you while you are pressing the "Press to Talk..." button. However, you can now also configure IFCam so you don't have to keep holding the button down. If you would prefer "click once to turn on, click again to turn off", just click the SETUP button in your IFCam, click the "Audio Setup" tab, and remove the check next to "Momentary Send".

If you haven't already, you may also want to enable the "Keep on top" feature of IFCam, which lets you keep the IFCam where you can see it even while you are chatting... just click the SETUP button and select "Keep IFCam program on top." You can move IFCam anywhere on the screen to get it out of your way by clicking on the title bar (the blue bar at the top where it says, "Intimate Friends Network Data Server") and dragging the window to wherever it will be out of your way.

For best results, wait a second after pressing down the "Press to Talk..." button before you begin speaking. If you talk clearly and distinctly, your viewers should have no trouble understanding you.

What do I do if something goes wrong?
Our VideoChat Hosts who are already using the sound feature have raved about how well it works and how easy it is to use. However, a few ChatHosts have reported problems, and in every case we've tracked down the problem to the same thing: the driver for the Video ChatHost's sound card is either out-of-date or else written for a different version of their Operating System (such as using a sound card driver written for Windows 95 in Windows 98). So, if you're having problems, this is a good place to start. Contact the manufacturer of your computer (or sound card if you installed it seperately) or visit their web site for the latest drivers written for your particular sound card and Operating System.

If you cannot contact your PC's manufacturer and you don't know what sound card you have, just follow these steps to find out:

• Click the START button, choose Settings, then Control Panel.
• When Control Panel opens, double-click the "System" icon.
• Click the Device Manager tab.
• Double-click on "Sound, video, and game controllers"
• Your sound card manufacturer and model will be listed!

Creative Labs SoundBlaster: http://www.creativehelp.com/files/download.asp
Ensoniq Sound Cards: http://www.ensoniq.com/drivers.html
Gateway Computers: http://www.gateway.com/support/product/drivers/sound/index.shtml
Hi-Val Sound Cards: http://www.hival.com/support/files/sound/default.htm
Yamaha (CBX) Sound Cards: http://www.yamaha.com/lsi/dindex.htm