Ralph Johns UK

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Page 11: The Original Pages

Expansions on iChat FAQs

From the Original iChat Apple FAQs and other Bits


iChat Frequently Asked Questions

This page has had the style changed to match the other pages and for intra-page links to work in most browsers.

They contain NO changes for iChat 3. In fact anything contained on this page may have to be taken with a pinch of salt, I make no guarantees about the validity of the content or the links it contains. However I do feel it provides a quick overview.

Table of Contents
round How do I Set up iChat ...?
round Where can I Find Out More Information...?
round Why doesn't my router work...?
round What Are the Ports Required and Why...?
round What do I do About Error Messages..?


PART 1

How do I Set Up iChat...?

For some people it is simply a question of being on-line and starting iChat AV.

If you are reading this it is likely that this is not the case for you

WHAT WILL iCHAT AV 2.1 DO ?

It will Chat /Instant Message in text to multiple users, both iChat and AIM and access AIM chat rooms.

It will Audio and Video chat to one other user of iChat AV or Video to AIM 5.5 running on Windows XP (Home or Professional). Must be AIM 5.5 and must be XP.

Depending on the capabilities of each user (which are displayed in the form of green icons in iChat) you can also Audio or Video chat one way. (I.e. if you have a camera and your Buddy only has a microphone you can start a one way chat and he/she will see you, whist you will only hear them.)

This part is designed to answer very basic questions of getting started in iChat AV 2.1 It forms the basis of the original FAQs at the Apple site, posted in about October 2004. Link is to the New Discussions At Apple edited version

Glossary

      Audio is sound only chats (called Talk on AIM )

      Video is Sound and Pictures (where cameras and microphones allow)

      Account name is synonymous (the same as) with screen name.

      Router for the purposes of these items it will refer to any internet connection device.


Basic Facts

Panther includes ver 2.0of iChat and at this point is free. This is the Panther version of Version 2.0 which Software Update will currently update to Version 2.1

A version for Jaguar (10.2.x) did cost $29.99 and is needed to run on 10.2.5 up (AV does not run on anything lower) NOTE: This was discontinued by Apple at the end of Sept 2004.

You can Video chat to AIM based Instant Message services as long as one of you has a camera. (Currently audio only chats are not possible).

Windows users have to running one of the XP incarnations and AIM 5.5, at least, (there is a Version 5.9 out now EDIT: Actually there is now Triton and the "Latest" pages at AIM but the link has been changed to go to AIM 5.9) to Video or accept an incoming Video, which is called One Way Video, from the Mac.

What you Need

A Mac G3/600 or above. It will not run in normal circumstances at anything slower. (however see Making Exceptions work)

OS 10.2.5 at least to run the version of iChat for Jaguar.(Note:This has been discontinued at the end Sept 2004 but runs on 10.2.5 through 10.2.8)

OS 10.3.x for iChat AV 2.0 and 2.1

iChat ver 2.0 or 2.1 depending on OS.

DV input device (camera or DV converter for analogue cameras) Apple Camcorder list and Firewire Webcam List But see also Making Exceptions work For USB cameras.

Free Firewire port (do not daisy chain camera)

An account or screen name from AIM (AOL and Netscape count) or @mac.com.

A DSL broadband link to the internet of at least 128kbps.

How to Start

After getting your account name, start iChat.

It will lead you through an assistant. (Start Up Screens)

If you launched it before and are starting again make sure iChat is off line.

Go to Preferences in the iChat Menu item.

Open the Accounts icon.

Select the type of account it is.

Type in your name (with the @mac.com if required an AIM one does not) and use tab key to enter password.

Hit Enter

The Server Options button should be 'live' at this point.

Check that it reads login.oscar.aol.com and the port is 5190.

Close Server Options and hit enter.

Now go to the iChat Menu (the Menu found in the Application's name in the menu bar.

Select "Log into AIM"

The Buddy List Window will drop down and the word "Connecting..." will appear near the top.


BUDDIES

You now have to enter Buddies into the Buddies list.

Use the "+" button at the bottom of the Buddy list window.

Add New Person or from your address book if you have recorded Buddies account names there.

The first account names you should add are the two test accounts set up by Tony Liu; tryichatav is an AIM account name. It runs on a Mac for Mac to Mac checks.

It is auto responding and plays a view from the camera and plays a radio show as sound. It can be used for Audio checks as well and you will here the sound track only.

tryaimpc is also an AIM account name for trying links to a PC running AIM 5.5 (Last time I checked. It shows the view from the Camera and plays some music in the background).

    (NOTE: these two Buddies have been up and running since February 2004. They are not always on-line and are very busy when they are).

    (NOTE: Buddy Lists are kept on the server - use the Address Book to make a back up even if it is only a screen name).
Plug in your Firewire camera. If it a DV camcorder you will need to check if it has a setting for straight DV output and not one suitable for a TV or VCR. iMovie will see either but iChat will only see DV input.

Your Buddies with Mics and Cameras should now have green icons next to their Buddy icons. (this is if you have set the View menu options to "Show Audio..." and "Show Video Status"). Telephone icons for Mics and Audio only contacts and a camera one for those capable of doing a Video Chat.
    (NOTE: You can One Way Video anyone if you have a camera. You can access this feature by going to the Buddies Menu).



How to make Exceptions Work

  1. Slow (G3/500 and less) computers and those with USB cameras need this utility:- iChatUSBcam which enables slower machines to connect and enables USB cameras to be seen by iChat.
    (Currently no info on having to do both but expect blocky pics and un-synced sound)
  2. Analogue cameras can be made to work with a converter like this one,Hollywood Dazzle DV Bridge
    (not home page of Manufacturer but has pics).

    (I run a Canon UC6000, of some vintage, which is an analogue camera, via the Converter listed above.  People have reported that the picture is better than some they receive from iSight cameras. However it was more expensive than the iSight but also gave me the option of importing into iMovie.)



Essential Reading

Although you don't need an understanding of Firewalls or Network Translation on Routers, some background reading can help.

This link to Apple Doc number 93208 , can help with basic settings in the Mac's Firewall and the Router's settings. It is not essential to have them in the Firewall unless you have it turned on but it will be important for the Router. EDIT Please note the Note 1 of this Doc is wrong. IT should not list the ports 16384-16403 as TCP

1. All iChat AV traffic is UDP-
except for ports 5190 and 5298, which need to be open for both TCP and UDP;
and 5220, 5222 and 5223 which need to be open for TCP only.


Spaced for extra effect.

The page contains a link to a list of Routers that will work "Out-of-the-Box".

If your's does not appear, pay attention to Note 4, near the bottom, because you are going to have to search for more info about your router (or do that un-Mac thing and read the manual).

I found this site useful for getting extra info by users of routers on DSL. This site has an Apple Related Area in the Technical section lower down the screen. It is searchable. You can post if you register. It has Private Messaging as well.

Further sources of info

Other questions can be answered in the iChat Discussion pages are here.



textchat

What you can do with a Text chat.

iChat can send files. These can include Pics. There are several ways to send them.

With a text chat window open and engaged in a chat you can drag any file to the Text entry field at the bottom of the chat to send it.

You can also drag the file to a Buddy who is online and drop it on their name in the Buddy list even if you are not chatting to them. (this can get round some bandwidth problems particularly on Dial-up)

There is also a menu item for Attaching a file from the Edit menu in iChat.

You can use the Apple key, Shift and 3 to save a screen shot to the desktop and then drag it to the text entry point to send your whole desktop as a pic. (Drag the chat window bigger to see it at a size that makes sense to you)

Apple, Shift and 4 allows you to select the area to be saved and send a smaller selection.

SnapzProX can also be launched from the application folder and clicking the application once more will bring the dialogue to the front. It has many options on how the file is saved

Be careful dropping large PDF file into the Text entry area as it will treat them as a Pic and try and open the whole thing. Use one of the other options. Also beware of picking aliases to send.

It is possible to send quicktime movie files via iChat, which is great for sending to Family and friends the things you have been up to.


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PART 2

Where can I find More Information...? (Buddies, Status Messages)

There are several web sites offering lists of Buddies. Some of them need a registration and some cost.

Try these:

MyiSight.com

iChatters.com

Globalchat

chatfinder.com

http://www.14k4.com/Mac/ (Thanks to Iveta Staks).

ichatclub.org (Thanks to Phillippe Alary)

Also do a Google search for more, including the AIM chat rooms

The AIM ChatRooms require you to visit the web page and make a note of the chatroom you want to enter and then use the "Go to Chat" item in the iChat Menu.



Changing your Status Message automatically

(Adding your iTunes data, iCal data, 'Scrolling' text etc.)

This is dealt with in a previous FAQ which also describes how to add individual Special Characters. It details a link to Doug's AppleScripts "iTunes Calling iChat" and iChatStatus

How do I Alter The Status Message ?

As standard the iChat application can change the Status Message that reads underneath your Buddies name in the Buddy List. This appears under your name in everyone else's list as well. You have probably seen other peoples already.

For first timers you will need to hold the mouse over the "Available" under your name at the top of the Buddy List window.

Clicking on it will reveal the Available option and the Custom one and the same for Away.

Click custom and enter what you will, to a limit of 42 characters.

    (NOTE: You can also edit the list here and take yourself offline)

Smilies

The simplest way to do this is to type one like " :-) " this. (the red bit). This can be done in the Status Message (as well as the Text chat entry field).

You will not see it at your end but it will show up as a smilie on all your Buddies' lists.

    (Note: Smilies can be entered as text or chosen from the icon at the end of the text entry bar of a text chat.)

Icons in Messages

If you wanted to change the text style or size in the messages you can only do so in a limited way.

  1. In either Available or Away - select Custom from the drop down list, as detailed above.
  2. Now go to the menu bar and select Edit.
  3. Drop to Special Characters at the bottom.
  4. Experiment and learn.

Buddy list

Unfortunately you can not change the Font style or size this way. You can only add certain symbols. Use the various tabs to look at all the options.

    (NOTE: All Status Message text is displayed as Helvetica with the exception of Smilies and Special Characters)

Close the Special Characters window before typing any further.

Messages using Applescript

There are a few pre-written applescripts to change the message on a rolling basis.

Some take information from iTunes and display the song title and artist in the Status Message. This link seems to one of the most popular. This site also list a script for calling details from iCal and displaying that information.

A search in Google will lead you to others. Another favourite is iChatStatus which adds a Preference Pane to System Preferences and allows you to control several Applescripts from it's interface.

Adding to iChatStatus

It is possible to write small Applescripts to add to the ones that come with iChat Status.

Here is one such item.

repeat 100 times

    tell application "iChat"
      set status message to "I really wish"
        delay 2
          set status message to "the posters on"
            delay 2
              set status message to "the Apple iChat Discussion Pages"
            delay 2
          set status message to "would read the FAQs;-)"
        delay 5
      end tell
    end repeat

The above, starting at the word "Repeat", is a very rough Applescript. I amended something, that was posted sometime ago by Nikki, at the Apple iChat Discussion Board. It is to be Copied and Pasted into AppleScript Editor and saved as a script. It can then be put in the scripts folder for iChat Status, so that it can be accessed from the Preference Pane.



Other Tweaks: Almost all are for iChat 2.x

iProfile

iChat does not have a profile like AIM does. This application, from smashsoft.com is supposed to get around this.

iCAR

When you log off from the AIM server when you close iChat you have the option to set your status as Off line (iChat>Preferences>General) or not. It appears that this is not the way that PC AIM users broadcast their status. They can put out an Away message as an automatic response so that the sender knows the chat or file is not accepted. iCAR from Pygmy software is designed to help you achieve this.

The AIM account name of tryichatav will auto respond when you call it with either a Video chat or Audio chat.

The AppleScript that can be got from a link at this page does something similar. It allows one Buddy to Call and see what is being shown. (The suggestion in the first page is that it is set to watch television so you can call your home computer from work at not miss anything).

Monitoring

You can set up an iSight to monitor your home with these two applications:

Evocam and Security Spy

Full details on how it is done can be found here in the USA version of MacWorld April web pages.

See also this FAQ at Apple Users Tips
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leaves

Part 3

Why doesn't My Router Work ?

This is an expansion of the FAQ at the Apple site How can I get my router to work with iChat?

Getting your router started with iChat.

For the purpose of this piece routers will considered to mean any configurable device that sits between your computer and the internet link you have and will include router/modems, modems and router only devices, whether they be wireless or not.

Routers seem to fall into two categories

Those that work straight from the box. See Apple Doc 93333 and those that do not.

This section will deal, in broad terms, what you may need to look at.

First off, make sure your device is acting as a DHCP server.

(if you are already on the internet you may not have to bother with this.)

Check in the Network Preference Pane, select the "Built in Ethernet" option from the "Show" drop down list.

Make sure the TCP/IP tab is the 'front' one. You should be able to see Configure IPv4 and it most likely reads "Using DHCP". Make a note of your IP address. It will start 10.xxx.xxx.xxx or 192.168.xxx.xxx (the 'x' s will stand for any number between 1 and 255).

Your router is most likely to be configurable from your browser. You will need to find the IP address to type into the browser from any Readme or PDF files that came on the install disk or visit the makers web site and download a manual. clear
Alcatel menu The list on my first page looks like this.

This is with the Advanced section opened up.

This is for an Alcatel 510v4, which is a 4 port router with a modem inside.

It is capable of the first three options of those listed below.

DMZ Demilitarised Zone

This is a less secure setting that basically opens all ports and points the incoming data to your computer only. (not helpful if you have more than one computer on your LAN)

NAT

These settings are usually found in an Advanced setting.

You will need to set an incoming IP address (Usually 0.0.0.0 for any outside server), a port that data will arrive on, the Inside computers IP address (your computer) and the port it will deal with the data on and the protocol it will use.

iChat uses TCP and UDP so some devices will need the settings done twice, once for each protocol.

See Apple Doc 93208 for more information.

Example of part of an Alcatel setup window.

 

Alcatelport

UPnP

This is a simple Plug and Play type of setting. Some applications, and iChat is one, can find their own way through a router if the device has this capability. This might be found in any Advance settings or in a Simple or Quick Start (Easy Setup in the first picture) option.

Trigger Ports

Some devices offer a security measure that works by a first or trigger port receiving a data packet and then opening further ports when accepted.

The first port for incoming Video or Audio requests are to be port 5678. When you click on the invite window the process moves to port 5060 (so these will need to be opened by the trigger port) for negotiating the final group of ports from the group of 20 (16384-16403 These will need to open when the trigger says so as well). It seems on some trigger port routers that once port 5678 has triggered itself and port 5060 it needs to be set do port 5060 triggers the group of 20. In addition it must be remembered the other ports need to trigger themselves such as port 5190 to allow Text chats.

Wireless (including Airport)

Here you will have to read around but this Apple Doc 58514 might be a good starting place. You may also try posting on the Apple iChat Discussion Pages and ask for James Weston to help you

The important thing to remember about an AirPort device is whether it or another device is going to be doing NAT/Port Forwarding and DHCP server.

Multiple devices

Make sure only one is acting as a DHCP server. Make sure wireless devices are bridged properly. ALso make sure only one device is performing Network Address Translation(NAT)/Port Forwarding as well

Further Help

I have found that this site to be helpful. It is British based but I have linked you to the Apple Related Discussions Forum.

This is not a step by step approach as there are just too many routers. You will have to read around the information about your device.
For Linksys
For Netgear
For Speedstream

For some step by Step instructions on Port Forwarding for individual devices go to http://portforward.com/routers.htm Use the Triggering link at the top to look for Triggering instructions.

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Leaves

Part 5

What Are The Ports Required and Why...?

Info First

Start by reading this Apple Doc 93208 and this Apple Doc 93333

The first of these is a good port of call for anyone trying to chat to other iChat or AIM users.

In brief it tells you which ports to open in your Mac's Firewall, only needed if your Firewall is on. <

It also tells you which ones you might need to open on your router.

Listed here 5060, 5190, 5297, 5298, 5353, 5678, 16384-16403

The second link, which can be accessed from the first, shows you a list of routers that Apple says work "out of the box" with iChat AV. It now a bit old and new routers and devices have come onto the market.

Starting with the Mac and It's Firewall.

Firewall Ports Example Of FireWall being Edited.

Ports for iChat AV over Rendezvous are already set up in the Firewall.

(Go to System Preferences.

Select Sharing Pane.

Select Firewall tab.

Scroll down the list to iChat Rendezvous.)

This will show you the two ports listed in the document above that Rendezvous uses - 5297 and 5298 For Local traffic (see two lines up in the bottom half of the Screen Shot)

This port is not documented as to use in the document: 5678. It is however the first port that is used in any Audio or Video Chat. An invite to chat gets sent by one person and goes through a server called "snatmap.com" and sends the request to the potential receiver. At the point when the receiver chooses to look at the invite window the window changes to reveal ore detail and display the Allow, Block or Text Reply buttons.  The process moves at the same time to port 5060

Port 5060 is used by the introducing server to provide handshaking to potential chatters. Basically this server helps negotiate the ports to be used in the actual chat.  Once established, this server drops out of the link. (You can set yourself to off line whilst in the middle of a live chat).

Port 5190 is the port used for logging in to the AOL server "oscar". When on line and ichat is open and logged on this is the server that sends you the data that changes your displayed Buddy List. It is also where you Buddy list is kept (that is of course unless you added them to your Address Book).

    (Note: Your Buddy list is not kept on your computer !! Make a backup using Address book.)


5353 This port is listed by Apple as being used for 'Local' traffic but also appears in the list of router ports you might need to make changes to. This is because not all ports are open on your router to the UDP protocol

This group of ports, 16384-16403, provide Audio and Video connections to Buddies outside your Home/Local Area Network (LAN). 4 ports are used at once to carry Audio in, Video in, Audio out and Video out.

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What can I do About Error Messages...?

Various Error Messages

There are several Error Messages that start
"iChat Internal Error!
NSInternalInconsistencyException"

The one that continues:
"Invalid parameter not satisfying: aString ! = nil"

Is about a Address Book error. The main solution can be found here .

The one that continues:
"Unknown property 'Richard' type '-1549840836' "
Where Richard is any typing that you do is also solved by the Address Book link above.

This one:
"Invalid Parameter not Satisfying: "aString! = nil"

Can also be solved by doing the following:

  1. Disconnect from your network connection.
    If you are using Ethernet, physically disconnect the cable from your computer.
    If you are using AirPort to connect, turn AirPort off.
  2. Open iChat
    If iChat opens for you, leave it open and reconnect to your network.
    It may take a minute or so, but iChat may automatically connect you after your computer recognizes that your network is available again.

    (originally posted by Quesito who thanks Galye the Moderator of the Apple iChat Discussion area)


This one:
"Chat is not in compose mode anymore in iChat AV"

Has not been solved yet.

Then there is this one:
"NSInvalidArgumentException:
NSConcreteMutableAttributedString addAttribute:value:range:: nil value"


This is solved by checking on Fonts Lucida Grande and Helvetica in Font Book.
The Fonts Lucida Grande or Helvetica are missing or disabled in Font Book.

  1. Open Font Book
  2. Click on the reveal triangle next to the "All Fonts" item in the Left hand column.
  3. Now select the "Computer" collection.
  4. Check the second column for those two fonts.
  5. Enable with button at the bottom of column if showing grey.
  6. Check "User" and/or "Classic" collections if not showing.


  7. Holding the cursor over the font in the second column will reveal it's type and location ( as will using the Sample item from the Preview menu). You want a dfont (or Datafork true font ) type.

  8. If they appear in the other collections, drag them to the Computer collection.
  9. Close Font Book


Feedbag Errors

"Could not add "screenname" to your buddy list. (Feedbag error 10) or (... 17)"

Feedbag Error 17 is a message from AIM that your Buddy List is full.
Make sure that your Buddies do not appear in more than one group as they get counted twice (or more) this way. The limit is 200

Feedbag Error 10 is connected to your Buddies details already being in the Buddy list and you trying to add the same person under a different screen name.
Either delete the previous entry....
or add the second screen name after the first one with a comma in between in the Address Book (ralphjohnsr,rlph820) in either the AIM or @Mac entry points.
Alternatively the names can be added in this way to the Buddy Info Accounts name when you use the Apple Key and "i" together when a Buddy is highlighted in the Buddy list.

More will be added as they are solved.
HAPPY CHATTING

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Table of Contents
round How do I Set up iChat ...?
round Where can I Find Out More Information...?
round Why doesn't my router work...?
round What Are the Ports Required and Why...?
round What do I do About Error Messages..?

clear
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© 2004 Ralph Johns: Edited 14/12/2005
Layout only Updated September 2006 (To Skidoo Too)
Edited on Layout to Gargoyles with Ruthsarian Menus 29th September 2008

Made on Mac
Made on a Mac®


Information Column

Made on Mac
Made on a Mac®

Plain Text links to related Pages

For Screen Readers

Table of Contents


How do I Set up iChat ...?
Where can I Find Out More Information...?
Why doesn't my router work...?
What Are the Ports Required and Why...?
What do I do About Error Messages..?

The Original Work

I wanted, at the time, to collect some of the more frequent but not regular info in one place to support the post I was making on the Apple Discussion Pages

Part of the original Issue was I had not reached the Level 3 on their site that was then required to Post FAQ/User's Tips so had not posted any. It was not long before I had though as Posting on the Apple Discussions got you points as well as people rating your answer. This created the Second problem I wanted to cover and that was Updating FAQs as things went along.

So I created a site which was then 5 pages, covering the Basic "What does it do ?" and "How does it do it ?" things that came up regularly

As I note in the opening statement at the head of the page I have deliberately not updated this page. other than collecting the original work into one place. What I have done since, is taken some of the info and made it the basis of the information that forms the main content of the 20 or so pages that supply the detail in the main part of the site (not counting EZ Jim's Work or the Picture Folders)

You can see the last Edit I did on this was in December 2005. Since then I have learnt a lot more about iChat, HTML and CSS hence the expansion from this basic info into the "second issue" if you like, 16 pages. They in turn have been expanded into the 20 or so due to iChat 3. The movement to this layout coincides with a Major update of a new Layout and iChat 4 Stuff that I have done with the help of Dreamweaver which means this page has finally been Spellchecked !!


Other Pages within this Site

Links to Other Sites