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I. Windows Communicator Client

  1. Configuration
    1. User
    2. Network
    3. Log setup
    4. Sounds
    5. Incoming message notification kind
    6. Status
    7. User details
  2. Communication
    1. Public chat
    2. Private chat
    3. Channels
    4. Message box
    5. File transfer
  3. Other functions
    1. Chat tab 
    2. User details panel
    3. Topic
    4. Message history

II. Windows Communicator Server

  1. Installation and startup

III. Windows Communicator Server Manager

  1. Configuration the Windows Communicator Server

IV. Monitoring Web Site

  1. Configuration
  2. Logging on
  3. Monitor start and finish applications
  4. Full applications monitoring 
  5. Screenshots
  6. SMS history
  7. Global activity charts
  8. User charts
  9. Private chat history
  10. Public chat history
  11. Channel chat history
  12. Message box history
  13. Monitoring configuration

V. Administrative tools 

  1. Remote Execute Manager
  2. Remote Shutdown Manager
  3. System Information Manager

 

I.  Windows Communicator Client

1.1. User

Options->Nick

Before you get access to all communicator features, you have to fill user data. The most important and absolutely a must to fill field is the nick name. You don't have to enter the rest of fields. 

1.2. Network

Options->Network

You have to enter computer name or IP address of Windows Communicator Server. This is probably the main network server.

 

1.3. Log setup

Options->Logs setup

This configuration dialog allows you to define logging of chat messages. History of chat is saved to history file located in user's home directory (C:\Documents and Settings\[USER]\Application Data\Windows Communicator). The folder is hidden. 

1.4. Sounds

Options->Interface->Sounds

You can assign some of application events to selected sounds. You can use the following events:

  • on beep - the signal occurs when someone select "beep" from your nick panel in users list. The beep is useful to notify you that someone writes the text to you but you are away from computer or your monitor is off
  • on incoming public message
  • on typing - the sound while typing the text to any communicator window, useful for users who wrote the text on typewriters before, or learing fast typing
  • on Bell - the sound when you type "Enter"
  • on private message
  • on message box
  • on channel message
  • on new user - the sound when any user join communicator

1.5. Incoming message notification

Communicator allows you to define different events on incoming message. You can choose one of the following events:

  • popup window - communicator window pops up on screen on incoming message
  • baloon hint, baloon hint displays near system clock, displays up to 255 characters without disturbing you while working with another application
  • tray notification - the communicator icon near system clock blinks on incoming message

Each communicator tab (chat) has their own notification settings. Channel tabs can display baloon hints on incoming message, the private chat with one of users can pop up communicator window on screen. 

Default notification settings can be defined in Options->Interface.

1.6. Status

The current status of user is reprezented by icons near his nick name. Icon :

  • black means, that user is not connected to communicator
  • yellow means, that user is away from keyboard, by default the state automatically changes after 10 minutes of inactivity, this status can be set manually
  • blue means, that user is not available,  by default the state automatically changes after 20 minutes of inactivity, this status can be set manually
  • green means, that user ic connected and active uses his computer

1.7. User details

User panel->user details

User details contains the data entered ny communictor user and additionally basic computer informations such as IP address, MAC address, operating system.

 

 

2.1. Public chat

Public chat allows to chat between all users connected to communicator. This is the default channel, which displays when you start communictor and cannot be disabled. The main purpose of public channel is publishing general informations or message board. 

Important notes:

  • The Users, whose you ignore won't get the message
  • To prevent from sending message to public chat you can configure communicator to show the warning message before trying to send message to public channel (Options->Interface)
  • Press Ctrl+Enter to insert new line

2.2. Private chat

Private chat allows to chat with one user. The message text sent by two users chatting on private chat are not visible by other communicator users.

Important notes:

  • The message sent to offline user (nto connected to communicstor) is queued on server side and automatically sent to user when he join the communicator.

  • Press Ctrl+Enter to insert new line

2.3. Channels

Services->Channels

Channel is a group of users chatting in one virtual room. The channels are created by communicator users, creator can define the users who can join the channel.

To refresh channel list choose Join->Refresh in the communicator toolbar.

Important notes:

  • You can't edit or remove channel created by other communicator user
  • You will see only that channels which you have access to
  • Press Ctrl+Enter to insert new line

2.4. Message box

Message box is the extended text editor, that allows you to prepare formatted text, send message to many users, forward message, or reply.

Message box pops up on recipient computer on screen. While preparing the text you can choose the font name, font size, italic, bold.

Important notes:

  • Message sent to offline user (not connected to communicator) is queued on server side and automatically sent by Windows Communicator server to user who join communicator.

2.5. File transfer

The Windows Communicator allows to send files to another communicator users. The file can be dropped on user panel in users list or you can choose "Send file" from user panel. The file must be accepted by recipient.

3.1. Chat tab

Each chat tab, the public, private or channel contains the following options (toolbar icons) :

  • select all - select all text of active tab

  • copy - copies selected text to clipboard

  • clear - clears up content of active tab

  • print - prints content of active tab

  • search - allows you to find out the text in active tab

  • enable logging - enable/disable saving history chat of active tab

  • message history - displays history of chat of current tab

  • popup window - enable/disable pop up the communicator window on new message sent to active tab

  • baloon hints - enable/disable showing baloon hint near system clock on incoming message to active tab

  • tray notification - enable/disable blinking communicator icon near system clock on incoming message to active chat 

Additionally, the private chat contains:

  • send file

  • user details

3.2. User details panel

When you click on user's panel in users list, the quick user summary displays. Choosing Customize allows you to select  user details which are most important for you.

 

3.3. Topic

If your administrator doesn't blocked access to topic change, you can change it by selecting Services->Change topic . Communicator has build in address detection, if your topic looks like that: "Company Web Site available under www.website.com address", by selecting Services->Follow topic address you can open the web site www.website.com.

3.4. Message history

The message history is available if you selected that some of chat messages should be saved in history file or you have enabled logging manually on one of chat tabs.

 

II.  Windows Communicator Server

 

1. Installation and startup

You can install the Windows Communicator Server on any network computer but according to monitoring functions and SMS Support the computer you choose as Communicator Server should have the following software installed:

  • you need WWW server installed (the Internet Information Services)

  • you need the ASP.NET extension

  • you need the .NET Framework 2.0

  • you need one free COM port available to connect mobile phone, or installed Bluetooth module or Irda module

While installation the Windows Communicator Server, it is automatically installed and started as Windows Service. To get access to this service open Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Services. You can also use the Windows 98/Millenium version of Windows Communicator Server as tray icon near system clock. Just start the Windows Communicator for Windows 95/98.

III.  Windows Communicator Server Manager

1. Configuration the Windows Communicator Server

Windows Communicator Server Manager is the software that helps you configure the Windows Communicator Server. You can find it in Start->Programs->Windows Communicator->Server Manager

Some of options has been described below.

  • Nick filtering - allows administrator to create user accounts. Communicator user, while creating his account must enter the password to join communicator server.

  • Log traffic - saves private, public, SMS and other history. The history is available from internal monitoring web site.

  • Monitoring - enabled the monitoring of communicator clients. You have to enter administrator passowrd to get an access to internal monitoring web site.

  • Client interface - allows you to predefine user groups, which will be automatically created on Windows Communicator clients. Even if user remove or rename that groups, thay will be overwritten when join Communicator again.

  • SMS Support - enter correct COM port, you have mobile phone connected to, the video presentation of configuring SMS in Communicator available in FAQ.

IV.  Monitoring Web Site

1. Configuration

The installer automatically creates the internal monitoring web site on local computer under the wcmonitor name. You have an access to this web site by typing http://localhost/wcmonitor in your web browser. to manually configure the monitoring web site:

a) Install Windows Communicator Server with monitoring web site

b) Add write and modify access for USERS to folder c:\program files\Windows Communicator\WebCharts 

c) Start the Internet Information Services from Control Panel->Administrative Tools

d) Right click on Default Web Site->New->Virtual directory

Enter alias - "wcmonitor", path - c:\program files\Windows Communicator

e) Display wcmonitor properties, in the Documents tab should be one document - Login.aspx, select ASP.NET and choose version 2.0

f) Enter administrator password in Start->Programs->Windows Communicator->Server Manager->Monitoring

2. Logging on

When you open the http://localhost/wcmonitor web site the login prompt appear, the password must be the same as typed in Server Manager

3. Monitor start and finish applications

Reports starting and closing applications

4. Full applications monitoring

The report of started and finished applications, when you select one of application, the second grid appear at the bottom of page with detailed application information such as activity

5. Screenshots

Displays the list of screenshots of selected communicator user.

6. SMS history

The report of sent SMS messages. The following columns appear: date, communicator user, SMS message, phone number of SMS recipient.

7. Global activity charts

Displays sumamry charts for all registered communicator users

8. User charts

Displays detailed charts of one communicator user and activity

9. Private chat history

Displays history of private chat

10. Public chat history

Displays history of public chat

11. Channel chat history

Displays history of chat on channels

12. Message box history

Displays history of message box

13. Monitoring configuration

Displays current monitoring settings such as: monitoring start and finish, monitoring activity, getting screenshots.

V. Administrative tools 

1. Remote Execution Manager

The tool allows you to start remotely any client application. You need administrator password defined in Start->Programs->Windows Communicator->Server Manager->Monitoring

2. Remote Shutdown Manager

The tool allows you to shutdown or restart client computer. You need administrator password defined in Start->Programs->Windows Communicator->Server Manager->Monitoring

3. System Information Manager

The tool allows you to get complete information about Communicator client's computer such as installed software, hardware or started applications.You need administrator password defined in Start->Programs->Windows Communicator->Server Manager->Monitoring