Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

MistaFreeze · Feb 5, 2004, 08:47 PM

I've been dying to use this thing ever since i saw the announcement at work. I have 3 major problems, however...

1) i'm no longer able to see audio/video icons by PC users names in the buddy list (before this they were faded, now nothing, even though they've upgraded)

2) I do not have a webcam. I am therefore barred from connecting to a PC user that has video/audio capabilities, and when they send me a video request, I get a blank screen. It seems that you both MUST have some sort of camrea attached, unlike most other video confrencing software which would still allow both to communicate (one would see video/audio, the other just audio)

3) Now if I send my IMs...I guess too fast by iChat's standards (and i tend to type short, fast IMs) I get the "sending messages too fast" message. The only remedy to this is logging off and on. After doing that three consecutive times (trying to slow my IM sending each time), I NOW get a message telling me I can't come online for a few minutes because I've logged off and on too many times.

This software is ALPHA stage, not BETA. Unbelievable. Why release this now when it's so buggy and still limited?

Now I don't mean to sound like a CONSPIRACY THEORIST or anything, but does anyone think it's just a little odd that the "missing" feature in #2, a feature that will cause iChat's vid conferencing capabilities to be unusable to the vast majority of Mac users...isn't it strage that they'd release this program with something so vital mysteriously absent?

Let's look at it like this: you've got tens of millions of people with Audio/Video capabilities with AIM for Windows, and they're able to use pretty much any firewire/usb cam with their clients...but sorry Mac users, you simply MUST buy an iSight to converse with them via video, even though other PC alternatives (hell even Yahoo's messanger included) don't require this.

What a convenient way to enduce a spike in iSight sales!

Now I hope I'm wrong and that this will be addressed in a future update, but it honestly wouldn't surprise me if this was the case. If it is the case, it's just another example of corporate greed.

I would've bought an iSight anyway, but to use strongarm tactics like these is ridiculous, especially when it's exploiting one of the many lapses and gaps regarding PC/Mac software releases.

...the LEAST they could do is include a free iChat app with the purchase of every iSight...but they won't.

typoon · Feb 5, 2004, 09:00 PM

Did you upgrade too? that is one of the things. did you enable your ports?

I doubt there is anything dubious behind this release. Yes it's beta that is why it is beta so we can be the guinea pigs for it and try it out and send feedback. It was curious that AOL and Apple released it on the same day.

AKcrab · Feb 5, 2004, 09:03 PM

Originally posted by MistaFreeze:
2) I do not have a webcam.

I think for someone without a webcam, you're making a lot of assumptions.

MistaFreeze · Feb 5, 2004, 09:09 PM

Originally posted by AKcrab:
I think for someone without a webcam, you're making a lot of assumptions.

Your comment has absolutely no ties with what I was discussing. I've discussed this with users with an isight, and they confirm that that's the only way it connects.

I know it might be a strain, but try actually reading through a post in its entirety before responding to it.

dwishbone · Feb 5, 2004, 09:14 PM

i have to agree. the inability to do audio only is kinda dumb...considering it works just fine. you have to have a cam to initiate any kind of connection between AIM and iChat. i think this is just an oversight on either AOL or Apple's part and will probably be corrected soon.
i hope it is VERY soon because iChat 2.1 beta is barely beta. it has some serious problems that need to be ironed out quickly.

i think this whole thing was just done too early. despite what people may think apple does look at forums like these. there has been enormous pressure on them to get AIM and iChat working together. this was just a bit rushed i think due to that.

Synotic · Feb 5, 2004, 10:36 PM

I may be missing something but isn't there the "Invite to one-way video chat" option enabled?

villalobos · Feb 6, 2004, 05:14 AM

Originally posted by MistaFreeze:
Your comment has absolutely no ties with what I was discussing. I've discussed this with users with an isight, and they confirm that that's the only way it connects.

I know it might be a strain, but try actually reading through a post in its entirety before responding to it.

I have an Ibot and it works perfectly well with Ichat.....

villa

yongfook · Feb 6, 2004, 05:56 AM

Originally posted by MistaFreeze:
2) I do not have a webcam. I am therefore barred from connecting to a PC user that has video/audio capabilities, and when they send me a video request, I get a blank screen. It seems that you both MUST have some sort of camrea attached, unlike most other video confrencing software which would still allow both to communicate (one would see video/audio, the other just audio)

Not sure how hard you tried...but...

I don't have a webcam either. My girlfriend does. I'm on a mac, she's on a pc. We both downloaded this new software. Restarted.

She was able to initiate a one-way video conference with me, with two-way audio. Easy as pie.

Note that only the person with the webcam can initiate a one-way video conference.

I suggest you do a little more reading and playing around before you start up with the cynicism.

And by the way - I'm so impressed with the way it all works that I'm going to buy an iSight anyway. Are you going to blame Apple for that too?

MistaFreeze · 07:18 AM

Originally posted by yongfook:
Not sure how hard you tried...but...

I don't have a webcam either. My girlfriend does. I'm on a mac, she's on a pc. We both downloaded this new software. Restarted.

She was able to initiate a one-way video conference with me, with two-way audio. Easy as pie.

Note that only the person with the webcam can initiate a one-way video conference.

I suggest you do a little more reading and playing around before you start up with the cynicism.

And by the way - I'm so impressed with the way it all works that I'm going to buy an iSight anyway. Are you going to blame Apple for that too?

My friend has a logitech 4000, high end cam, and he wasn't able to initiate a one way with me. we could only hear audio.

And you're missing the point: I like the iSight too and will most likely buy one when I have the extra cash. I just don't like seeing companies impliment strongarm tactics in order to FORCE people to buy them.

If you could, could you describe what your girlfriend did to initiate the one way chat? And I'm curious, can you see either green vid/aud icon next to her name in your buddy list?

cybergoober · Feb 6, 2004, 06:52 AM

Originally posted by MistaFreeze:
And you're missing the point: I like the iSight too and will most likely buy one when I have the extra cash. I just don't like seeing companies impliment strongarm tactics in order to FORCE people to buy them.

Who the hell is forcing you to use a BETA app ffs? Why not hold off judgment until after the final is released?

Horsepoo!!! · Feb 6, 2004, 07:00 AM

Originally posted by cybergoober:
Who the hell is forcing you to use a BETA app ffs? Why not hold off judgment until after the final is released?

Thanks. He needed that.

NeXTLoop · Feb 6, 2004, 07:05 AM

You can revert back to 2.0. Just do it under the iChat menu. That will at least get rid of the "Sending Messages Too Fast" bug.

MistaFreeze · Feb 6, 2004, 07:17 AM

Originally posted by cybergoober:
Who the hell is forcing you to use a BETA app ffs? Why not hold off judgment until after the final is released?

I already said that I hope I'm wrong. What else do you want?

Originally posted by Horsepoo!!!:
Thanks. He needed that.

needed what? oh riiiight...you're probably one of those who believes that anyone who criticizes apple deserves to be dragged out into the street and shot?

LightWaver-67 · Feb 6, 2004, 07:33 AM

As others have stated (and you acknowledged)... this is a BETA Release and is going to have issues. It's great that you share you thoughts and frustrations with us, but more importantly, you need to send in feedback to Apple and let them know.

Even if they are already AWARE of the issue, the more people that clammour for it's fix... the higher it gets bumped on the priority list.

If no one ever sent in a complaint or bug report for that very issue, they would think: "Well, hey... it's not working right yet, but no one seems to really care or complain...?"

I know... that's an overstated simplification, but really... you should think about sending them your feedback to help make it a BETTER app when it is finally released.

Peace.

dfiler · Feb 6, 2004, 07:50 AM

Originally posted by MistaFreeze:
...
This software is ALPHA stage, not BETA. Unbelievable. Why release this now when it's so buggy and still limited?

Now I don't mean to sound like a CONSPIRACY THEORIST or anything, but
...

So because a program doesn't work for you (one person) it's alpha and part of a conspiracy?

Your crusade might hold water if your problems were widespread... or even you were to claim that they are widespread.

Otherwise, it merely reads like an uniformed rant from a single person with a corrupt installation of iChat. The conspiracy your painting is apparently based upon a signle bad data point?

Made for a good chucke this morning.

MistaFreeze · Feb 6, 2004, 08:01 AM

Originally posted by LightWaver-67:
As others have stated (and you acknowledged)... this is a BETA Release and is going to have issues. It's great that you share you thoughts and frustrations with us, but more importantly, you need to send in feedback to Apple and let them know.

Even if they are already AWARE of the issue, the more people that clammour for it's fix... the higher it gets bumped on the priority list.

If no one ever sent in a complaint or bug report for that very issue, they would think: "Well, hey... it's not working right yet, but no one seems to really care or complain...?"

I know... that's an overstated simplification, but really... you should think about sending them your feedback to help make it a BETTER app when it is finally released.

Peace.

I already have.

Originally posted by dfiler:
So because a program doesn't work for you (one person) it's alpha and part of a conspiracy?

Your crusade might hold water if your problems were widespread... or even [sic] you were to claim that they are widespread.

Otherwise, it merely reads like an uniformed rant from a single person with a corrupt installation of iChat. The conspiracy your [sic] painting is apparently based upon a signle bad data point?

Made for a good chucke this morning.

Oh wait...wait...so it works for you? You're able to initiate one way video chat and audio chat? You're able to see the green audio/vid icons for PC computers in your buddy list?

Do tell, oh wise and enlightened one! How'd you achieve this? What was the setup on both ends?

Dismissing this as a "one time incident" only highlights your limited knowledge of the iChat problems this new release is plagued with. Hate to break it to you, but macNN isn't the ONLY mac messageboard out there. Browse around chief, you'll find all sorts of problems similar to the ones stated above...when you do you'll probably dismiss them all as "corrupt installations" or "single bad data point".

lol, and you call me uninformed?

villalobos · Feb 6, 2004, 08:12 AM

Originally posted by MistaFreeze:
And you're missing the point: I like the iSight too and will most likely buy one when I have the extra cash. I just don't like seeing companies impliment strongarm tactics in order to FORCE people to buy them.

How exactly does Apple force you to buy an Isight? There are several other webcams which work with IchatAV, something everybody tell you on this board and that you seemingly ignore....

villa

Developer · Feb 6, 2004, 08:27 AM

However they don't support USB webcams for no good reason.

dfiler · Feb 6, 2004, 08:30 AM

Originally posted by MistaFreeze:
I already have.

Oh wait...wait...so it works for you? You're able to initiate one way video chat and audio chat? You're able to see the green audio/vid icons for PC computers in your buddy list?

Do tell, oh wise and enlightened one! How'd you achieve this? What was the setup on both ends?

Dismissing this as a "one time incident" only highlights your limited knowledge of the iChat problems this new release is plagued with. Hate to break it to you, but macNN isn't the ONLY mac messageboard out there. Browse around chief, you'll find all sorts of problems similar to the ones stated above...when you do you'll probably dismiss them all as "corrupt installations" or "single bad data point".

lol, and you call me uninformed?

Maybe if we keep saying it, it will sink in: No one is forcing you to use a FREE beta version of a future release.

Also, I didn't call you uniformed. Please read more carefully if you're going to be so combative in your relations with others!

But now that you've succeeded in setting everyone off...
It seems like you've got some misdirected anger and delusions of persecution.

Everyone has their share of those emotions... we just don't necessarily post lengthy, accusatory rants. (most of the time)

cybergoober · Feb 6, 2004, 08:39 AM

Originally posted by MistaFreeze:
lol, and you call me uninformed?

Well, while it may be a strain

perhaps you should read his original post again before starting in with your macho head games.

Originally posted by dfiller:
Otherwise, it merely reads like an uniformed rant�

LOL

villalobos · Feb 6, 2004, 11:59 AM

Originally posted by Developer:
However they don't support USB webcams for no good reason.

Agreed. that's very regrettable.

villa

yongfook · Feb 6, 2004, 06:08 PM

Originally posted by MistaFreeze:

Oh wait...wait...so it works for you? You're able to initiate one way video chat and audio chat? You're able to see the green audio/vid icons for PC computers in your buddy list?

You won't be able to initiate the video chat if you do not have a webcam. I already stated this in my above post. Only the user with the webcam can initiate a one-way video chat.

Get your friend to try again.