ftp.nice.ch/pub/next/connectivity/conferences/NetTalk.1.3b3.README

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readme  --  NetTalk Release 1.3beta3

This distribution contains Release 1.3beta3 of NetTalk, a talk program for the  NEXTSTEP environment. NetTalk isn't compatible with any other talk program like talk, xtalk, or ytalk. You will get NetTalk.app (the client program you can use), and nettalkd (the demon server).

This release only contains English and German language support.
If you want to contribute other languages, let me know.

NetTalk is an RTFD chat application. It uses windows and menus instead of a rough shell to contact people on the net, so there is no need to have a terminal around and use the ugly talk command.

Being a real NEXTSTEP application, NetTalk has some advantages compared to its shell equivalent:
-	NetTalk's windows contain RichText (or better: NeXT's RTFD).  This means
	-	you can use various fonts and styles all in one document;
	-	you can edit any portion of the text at any time;
	-	you can drag images into it from the Workspace;
  - you can even send files to your peer by dragging them into your text.
-	Connecting to your peers is as easy as opening a file.
- You will be able to load bundles that add other connection possiblities,
  e.g. a scribble pad for conference drawing.

This release has basic support for chat mode (that is, more than two people talking). See the rudimentary help on request handling or figure it out for yourself.

Note:
This release of NetTalk is tested on long distance connections (i.e the internet). The preferences panel has changed so that NetTalk will contact one of the two servers I know of.  If there is another nettalkd server running, please let me know.
If you want to use NetTalk in your local network only, configure one system to start up nettalkd on boot time.  Put this machines name in the Server list in the preferences panel.  You may also specify * as a name for the first server the client is able to find.


Installation:
The package will install everything you need to work with NetTalk.app.
If you want to run a nettalkd server on your host, I suggest that you (or your sysadmin) start the nettalkd demon in rc.local - this could be done by adding lines similar to

/LocalApps/NetTalk.app/nettalkd &
echo " nettald"   > console

assuming that NetTalk.app was installed in /LocalApps.

Have fun and report errors or submit suggestions to

Stefan Leuker
(sl@skynet.oph.rwth-aachen.de)

These are the contents of the former NiCE NeXT User Group NeXTSTEP/OpenStep software archive, currently hosted by Netfuture.ch.