Help Index
Help for PowWow

Overview

PowWow is a unique program that allows up to seven (7) people  to chat, transfer files, browse the World-Wide Web together as a group, voice chat, and play MS-Windows .WAV files.  Cruising the World-Wide Web together is currently supported by NetScape Navigator Version 1.1N.  All you need to know to reach another PowWow user is his or her email address.  You do not need to know their IP address as PowWow automatically resolves both dynamic and fixed IP addresses.  PowWow will automatically connect with them and alert them that a connection has been requested; provided PowWow is running on their computer.

Running PowWow

To allow other people to connect to you, you must have PowWow running.  After WinSock has been initialized, double-click on the PowWow icon.  A dialog box will appear requesting your Local User I.D. and password.  Enter your email address as your Local User I.D.  You may choose any password of up to seven (7) characters.  Select OK.  The PowWow main screen will appear.  At the bottom of the screen the message "attempting to register with PowWow server" will appear followed "Registration accepted by Server" if your Internet connection is properly functioning.  PowWow is now active and ready for connections to or from other PowWow users.  If you are not intending to immediately connect with someone, minimize PowWow so it remains active in case someone wishes to connect with you.

Commands

File Menu

Edit Menu

Setup Menu

Connect Menu

Utility Menu

Window Menu

Other Information

Glossary

Contact Information

Support

About Tribal Voice


Edit Menu

The Edit menu includes commands that enable you to change the text in the PowWow edit windows.

For more information, select the Edit menu command name.

Clear	Deletes text without moving it to the clipboard.


File Menu

The File menu includes commands that enable you to send files, and exit PowWow.

For more information, select the File menu command name.

Send	Send a file to one of the people you are currently chatting with.

Exit	Shut down connections and exit PowWow application.


Glossary

cruise leader - see Leader

domain name - The name of a particular network of computers attached to the Internet.  For example, all of Tribal Voices networked computers have a domain name of tribal.com.

dynamic IP address - An internet protocol address that changes each time a connection is made to an Internet service provider.  This type of connection is usually used with dial-up Internet accounts accessed via modem.

fixed IP address - An internet protocol address which remains the same.  Networked computers and other computers with a dedicated connection to the Internet typically have fixed IP addresses.

IP address - A numeric address used to identify a computer or other device (printer, router, and so forth) over the Internet.  IP addresses are composed of four sets of numbers with values of 0-255.  For example:  204.227.15.1 is the IP address for the Tribal Voices World-Wide Web server.

Leader - The person who first initiates a PowWow session.  The Leader has control of cruising the World-Wide Web.

Local User I.D. - Your PowWow address.

Remote User I.D. - Anyone elses PowWow address.

SLIP - stands for Serial Line Interface Protocol.  A common method for connecting to the Internet using a modem.

static IP address - see fixed IP address

TCP/IP - Stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.  The method by which computers communicate with each other over the Internet.

URL - stands for Uniform Resource Locator.  A standard method of displaying the name of a FTP or World-Wide Web server.


Exiting

To exit PowWow select Exit from the File menu.


Edit Clear Command

The Clear command allows you to clear the send and receive windows of all text and moves the cursor to the top left hand corner of the send window.  All text currently in the window will be lost.


File Send Command

PowWow can send a file to one of the people with whom you are chatting.  Once you are connected and chatting the Send option will be enabled.  Select FILE=>SEND from the Main Menu to select a file to send.  If you are chatting with more than one person you will be prompted to pick a person to send the file to.  That person will be notified you wish to send them a file and prompted to accept or refuse the file.  If accepted, the file will be sent and a status window will show the progress of the file transfer.  When the receiver has finished receiving the file the status window closes.  The file download directory may be set by selecting the SETUP=>FILES AND DIRECTORIES option.  If no download directory is specified the file will be stored in the same directory as PowWow.

You may continue chatting while the file transfer is active.


File Exit Command

The Exit command will close all current connections to and from PowWow and will shut down the PowWow application.


Setup Menu

The Setup menu includes commands that enable you to configure PowWow and save the configuration for PowWow.

For more information, select the Setup menu command name.

Local Info

Font

PowWow Book

Runtime

Files and Directories

Voice Settings

Answering Machine

Save Settings

Save Window Info


Connect Menu

To connect to another person using PowWow select the connect option and either enter the email address of the person you wish to contact or select one of the email addresses from the list in your PowWow book by dropping down the list box.

If the email address you have entered allows for a Direct Connection (i.e. the person has a fixed, rather than dynamic IP address and the host portion of the email address specifies the machine on which they are running PowWow) you can select the Direct Connection option.  This avoids the PowWow IP lookup process and saves 15 seconds or more in the initial connect time.  If you do not know whether the person you wish to contact has a fixed IP address, do not select the Direct  Connection option.  The lookup function will still work.

To add a newly-entered connection to your PowWow book check the Add Connection option before selecting OK.  This also saves the Direct Connection setting for the connection.

If you are away from your machine and would like for PowWow to automatically answer and send a message to those trying to contact you you can turn on the Answering Machine.

For more information, select the Connect menu command name.

Connect

Disconnect

View Log

Add Connections

Answering Machine


Utility Menu

PowWow allows several people to browse the World-Wide Web together as a group using NetScape Navigator Version 1.1N or later.  This allows you to lead people through the Internet via your browser.  In order to lead the person you are chatting with, select the UTILITY=>LAUNCH CRUISE option from the Main Menu.  If your browser is not running it will be launched and a connection to it established by PowWow.  Once the connection is established, the people you are chatting with will be notified you would like to lead them in browsing the Internet.  They can accept or refuse the cruise request.  If accepted the web browser will be launched on their computer systems.  Once the connections are established on all sides, whenever the Leader opens a new URL the 'followers' will go to the same location.

If you stop cruising from PowWow, the connections to the browser will be discontinued but the browser will remain running.

To direct your browser to go to the PowWow White Pages at Tribal Voice select the White Pages menu option.  Your browser will be launched and directed to the White Pages web page where you can find a list of others running PowWow.

To initiate a voice connection with one of the people you are chatting with select the Voice Chat menu item.  If you are chatting with more than one other person you will be prompted to select who you would like to talk to.  This will open a connection for the exchange of voice data.  To end the voice chat session de-select the Voice Chat menu item.

To send your voice message select the Talk menu item and speak into your microphone.  The voice data will begin to be sent as soon as you select the Talk menu item.  To stop sending your voice message de-select the Talk menu item.

PowWow allows you to play a sound on the machines of those you are chatting with.  From the menu select Sounds and then select one of the sounds listed.  The sound will then play on your machine and on the machines of those you are talking with.

For more information, select the Utility menu command name.

Launch Cruise

Stop Cruising

White Pages

Voice Chat

Talk

Sounds


Local Info

Use the Local Info setup to specify your PowWow I.D. so people can contact you using PowWow.  The address should be the same as your email address and take the form of name@domain.org.  When someone attempts to connect to you, PowWow will verify that the name being requested matches the name in the PowWow registry database.

The password you select is saved with the PowWow I.D. in the PowWow registry database, as is the access method (direct or lookup) used to connect to you.  On subsequent registrations the registration will not change the IP address for this address if the correct password is not used.

The save password option allows you to save the current password in the POWOW.INI file so that you will not have to re-enter each time.


Font Setup

Select the font to use for the chat windows.


PowWow Book

The PowWow book setup allows you to manage your list of connection addresses.  Here you can add and remove connections.

In the list of connections a ',L' at the end of the email address specifies lookup should be performed when connecting to this PowWow I.D. while a ',D' specifies the email address is direct and lookup is unnecessary


Runtime Setup

The Runtime Setup allows you to set the defaults for request responses and window buffer sizes.

Each request type (talk, file transfer, cruise, and voice) can be set to either prompt you when a request is received or to automatically refuse the request.

The buffer sizes can be set to your desired buffer size in kilobytes (Kb) for each PowWow chat window, provided your system has enough memory to accommodate your requested size buffer.

Turn off the ability of others to play sounds on your machine by de-selecting the Play Sounds option.


Files and Directories

Through the Files and Directories Setup option you can specify the download directory, sound file, browser program, and PowWow Book location for PowWow.

The download directory specifies which directory will be used for files that are downloaded through PowWow.  The default is the directory from which PowWow is run.

The sound file is the sound that will be played when a request is received within PowWow.  If your system does not support playing .WAV files a beep will sound instead.

The browser file is the name and directory path where your browser is located.  PowWow requires NetScape Navigator Version 1.1N to be able to use the cruise feature.

The PowWow Book location is the directory path PowWow loads its PowWow book from.  The default is the directory from which PowWow  is run.


Save Settings

Saving the current settings will save the currently configured settings under the setup menu.


Save Window Info

Saving the current size and position of the PowWow window.


Connect

To connect to another person using PowWow select the connect option and either enter the email address of the person you wish to contact or select one of the email addresses from the list in your PowWow book by dropping down the list box.

You can also enter a Subject to discuss which will be displayed in the chat request box on the other persons screen.

If the email address you have entered allows for a direct connection (i.e. the person has a fixed, not dynamic, IP address) you can select the direct connection option.  This avoids the PowWow IP lookup process and saves 15 seconds or more in the initial connect time.  If you do not know whether the person you wish to contact has a fixed IP address, do not select the direct option.  The lookup function will still work.

To add a newly entered connection to your PowWow book check the Add Connection option prior to selecting OK.  This will also save your selection for the direct versus lookup setting for this connection.


Disconnect

Select disconnect to discontinue chatting with someone and stop all file transfer and cruise connections.  This will break the connection to the person you were chatting or attempting to chat with.  If you are chatting with more than one person you will be prompted to select the person(s) to disconnect from.  Select All to disconnect from everyone.


Launch Cruise

PowWow has the ability to communicate with the Netscape Navigator Version 1.1N or later.  This allows you to lead a group of PowWow users through the Internet with your browser.  In order to lead the people you are chatting with, select the UTILITY=>LAUNCH CRUISE option.  If your browser is not already running then it will be launched and a connection to it established.  Once the connection to the browser completes successfully the people you are chatting with will be notified that you would like to lead them in browsing the Internet.  They can then accept or refuse the cruise request.  If accepted the browser will be launched on their computers.  Once the connections are established on both sides whenever the Leader opens a new URL the 'follower' will be routed to the same location.

If you stop cruising, the connections to the browser will be dropped but the browser will remain running.


Stop Cruising

If you stop cruising the connections to the browser will be dropped, but the browser will remain running.


Support

Please email technical questions, comments and suggestions to support@tribal.com.


About Tribal Voice

Tribal Voice is an organization run by Native Americans from various tribes dedicated to providing a Native American presence in the high-tech industry through free and low-cost computer software and services.  All Tribal Voice products are Native American in concept, architecture and implementation.

Tribal Voice is endowed by the Native American Trust and the McAfee Foundation.

PowWow is the copyrighted property of Tribal Voice.  It may be used free-of-charge for personal use by individuals and educational institutions.  Anyone else wishing to use PowWow should contact Tribal Voice for licensing information.

Tribal Voice

627 West Midland Avenue

Woodland Park, CO  80863-1100

TEL	1-(719) 687-0480

FAX	1-(719) 687-0716

EMAIL	sales@tribal.com


Window Menu

This is where PowWows window behavior can be set.

Selecting Always on Top forces PowWow to remain on top of all other windows on your desktop.  By default this option is off.

For more information, select the Window menu command name.

Always on Top


Always on Top

Selecting Always on Top forces PowWow to remain on top of all other windows on your desktop.  By default this option is off.


View Log

Each time someone contacts you PowWow saves the date, time, Remote User I.D., and Subject field into a log file.  The log file can be checked to see if someone tried to contact you while you were away and PowWow was running.

You can view the log file by selecting CONNECT=>VIEW LOG from the Main Menu.  PowWow will then launch the Microsoft NotePad to view the log file.  If NotePad is not available the log file cannot be viewed from within PowWow.  We recommend reviewing and purging the log on a monthly to weekly basis, depending upon your PowWow usage.


Add Connections

You can add the Remote User I.D.s of the person you are chatting with to your PowWow book by selecting CONNECT=>ADD CONNECTIONS from the Main Menu.  If you are chatting with more than one person, you will be prompted to select which person(s) to add to your PowWow Book.  Selecting All adds everyone.


Voice Settings

Select the resolution/quality of sound to use in sending and receiving voice data.  It is suggested that you base this on the speed of your connection to the internet.  A communication speed of at least 28.8Kbps and a 486 or better computer is needed to use the voice feature of PowWow.

For lower quality sound but faster transmission of the data select the Low Resolution setting.

Medium Resolution has fairly good sound quality but takes about twice as much time to send as low resolution.

And High Resolution is best reserved for those with very fast connections to the internet such as ISDN or T-1 lines.  High Resolution takes about twice as long to send as Medium Resolution data.


Answering Machine Configuration

This edit area is where you can enter the message that you would like displayed to those who try to connect to you when you have the Answering Machine mode turned on.  You may enter up to 255 characters for the message.  The Answering Machine can be turned on by selecting CONNECT=>ANSWERING MACHINE from the Main Menu.


Answering Machine Mode

If you are away from your machine and would like for PowWow to automatically answer and send a message to those trying to contact you you can turn on the Answering Machine.

When someone attempts to contact you PowWow will automatically send the message you have configured under SETTINGS=>ANSWERING MACHINE to the remote end.  Once the other end has acknowledged the message the connection will be broken.


White Pages

This option directs your web browser to go to the PowWow White Pages at Tribal Voice, your web browser will be launched if necessary and directed to the White Pages web page where you can find a list of others running PowWow.  You can then search for others to chat with or add yourself to the list so that others will contact you.


Voice Chat

PowWow allows you to initiate a voice connection with one of the people you are chatting with.  Once a voice connection is established you can take turns sending voice messages back and forth.  A communication speed of at least 28.8Kbps and a 486 or better computer is needed to use the voice chat feature of PowWow.

If you are chatting with more than one other person you will be prompted to select who you would like to talk to.  A connection will then be established for the exchange of voice data.  To end the voice chat session de-select the Voice Chat menu item.


Talk

To send your voice message select the Talk menu item and speak into your microphone.  As long as the Talk option is selected PowWow will continue to send the voice data. To stop sending your voice message de-select the Talk menu item.  When you have the Talk option selected you will not be able to hear what the other person is saying, so it is recommended that you take turns speaking.  There may be a slight delay in transmission due to traffic and routing on the Internet.


Sounds

PowWow allows you to play a sound on the machines of those you are chatting with.  From the menu select Sounds and then select one of the sounds listed.  The sound will then play on your machine and on the machines of those you are talking with.

If you do not want others to be able to play sounds on your machine you can select the SETTINGS=>RUNTIME menu option and de-select the Play Sounds options.