hotComm Revision History

1. The Mirror Driver is no longer installed with the product. The files for it are still copied into the hotComm/BIN or hotCommCL/BIN folder, but the mirror driver is not installed as a device. You can install it as a device manually. See http://www.hotcomm.com/guide/mirrordriver.asp
   
   If the mirror driver is installed as a device, hotComm will load it automatically and use it for the timed camera unless you include the /mdx option on your hotComm.exe startup command line. The /mdx option tells hotComm not to load the mirror driver.

1. Standard/Pro Send to Room feature "Send" button now works with whatever is displayed for the room address without requiring you to click the "Find" button first.
   
   
2. Fix - hotCam image "Save As" option no longer captures the Save As dialog window instead of image contents.
   
   

1. Send to Room feature now searches first on a direct match for the roomname you type in, then searches for roomnames containing the string you type.
   
   
2. Send to Room feature now accepts relay:roomname syntax as well as just roomname.
   
   

1. Moved the audio status (“Audio On/Mute/…”) to precede the “Ready” status indicator.
   
   
2. Webcam is now disabled by default in the client. To enable your webcam in a webcam-enabled room, use the "/vy" command line option. Note that the room must also be enabled for webcam. Previously, you would use the "/vx" option to disable your webcam in a webcam-enabled room. Once your client is webcam enabled and you join a webcam-enabled room, you can use the webcam icon to turn the camera on and off.
   
   
3. You can now save a hotCam image sent by a presenter using Mirror Driver.
   
   
4. Disable Aero in Vista when using the Collaborator and not using Mirror Driver.
   
   

1. A Standard/Pro user who tries to connect as a Panelist to a room where they are not an authorized panelist is connected as a user. Formerly, you got an error message saying that you weren't an authorized Panelist.

1. Mandatory Upgrade due to End-Of-Life on our Primary VNS server forcing us to operate on the backup system. Without this upgrade, the clients would not be able to find the new Primary VNS Server in the event of the Secondary failure. We apologize for the lack of notice, but the 4th of July weekend seemed a better choice than mid-trading-week.
   
   

1. Auto-upgrade from hotComm Lite to hotComm Standard. The automatic upgrade downloads and installs hotComm Standard, moves your existing Lite data files to hotComm Standard, uninstalls Lite and automatically registers hotComm Standard using your existing hotComm Lite information, and calculates how many days of hotComm Standard time you will receive based on your remaining Lite time. The time is prorated based on the comparative cost of the products, so you get fewer days of Standard than you had of Lite. See Upgrade Lite to Standard.
   
   

1. hotComm CL menu bar now includes:
   - Change-my-Nickname, which opens the Change Identity dialog, and
   - Font Size, which changes the size of the text in your transcript and typing area.
   
   
2. hotComm CL Preferences now includes a third option for Invited List location. Click the Invited List option repeatedly to toggle between Bottom, Left and Right.
   
   
3. hotComm CL typing area - the initial message in the typing area when you start hotComm CL now says: "Please type your message here, then hit ... Icon at right requests help >>"
   
   hotComm Lite and hotComm Standard/Pro continue to say "Please respect copyright laws when transferring data."
   
   
4. CL Plus users can now change nicknames.
   
   
5. CL Plus users can now uninstall and reinstall on the same computer. If you reinstall with the same email address, CL recognizes your CL Plus status if you put the original unlock code in again. Note that you can reinstall with a non-CL Plus email address, but you do not get CL Plus features until you reinstall with the original CL Plus email address and unlock code.
   
   
6. Std/Pro Panel User auto-recognition - if you selected Panel User as your operations mode, Std/Pro now recognizes whether you are authorized as a Panel User on the relay server when you try to connect to a room on that relay. It then connects you as a Panel User if you are authorized, or as a regular user if you are not. Previously, it tried to connect you as a Panel User whether or not you were authorized.
   
   
7. Clicking a second room link (all clients)
   - If you are in a room and you click a link to take you to the same room, hotComm ignores the request.
   - If you are in a room and you click a link for a different room, hotComm CL and Lite automatically switch you into the second room; hotComm Std/Pro opens a new session and connects you into the new session.
   
   
8. WMV recording - fix for the "Wave out mixer is not available in this system. Recording feature is disabled." message that some users should not have gotten when starting WMV recording. Users with certain audio devices may still see the message.
   
   
9. Realtek High Definition Audio Driver workaround for people recording in WMV format on Widnows Vista. In brief, the driver provided with Vista does not work; you need a Realtek driver provided by Realtek. See WMV Session Recording - Troubleshooting.
   
   
10. Connectivity fixes.
    
    

1. A tooltip for the headset icon in the lower right corner of your Windows taskbar giving you basic information about your product and identification.
   
   
2. Drop sounds. You can now send your own sounds by dragging-and-dropping sound files onto the Sounds button (the ear with music notes), providing the Sounds feature is not restricted by room Session Controls. The sound file must be in WAV format and cannot be larger than 500K. The sound is played immediately into the room. It is not added to the list of pre-defined sounds. See www.hotcomm.com/guide/sounds.asp.
   
   Note: this joins the previously introduced abilities to drop pictures onto the camera icon and drop files onto the file sharing icon.
   
   
3. AE changes:
   
   - Sound files embedded in AEs are now sent to the recipient's client and played locally, instead of being played through a microphone. You no longer need to have the microphone on in order to play an audio AE. There is no change in the way you use the AE controls to create audio AEs. See www.hotcomm.com/guide/abbreviations.asp.
   
   - Lite clients now include the AE button, so they can create and edit AEs.
   
   - CL moderators and presenters now include an AE button, in addition to the previous AE option in the right-click menu.
   
   
4. hotComm volume controls. Windows Vista supports separate volume controls for each application. Therefore, in Windows Vista, you can set the volume for hotComm separately from other applications. See Volume and Balance. (Note, this is a feature of Windows Vista, and is not due to feature coding in hotComm.)
   
   
5. Recording sound file fix. A loophole has been fixed for long recordings that have many audio segments (a segment is when audio starts and stops within the same recording).
   
   
6. Timed Recording auto-login (Std/Pro only). Recording settings now includes a relay:room combo-box filled from the Users List. If you select Timed Recording and you select a relay:room, it should log you into the room if not already logged and start the recording 10 seconds later at the prescribed time. [Note: this feature will be in Std/Pro 7.20.009.]
   
   
7. Private Messages. If private messages are disabled by session controls, the right-click menu in Invited List says "PMs are disabled by moderator" in grayed out text.
   
   
8. Ask Support A Question. The Ask Support A Question feature now supports European characters.
   
   
9. Different nicknames for each room (Std/Pro). You now can log into each room with a different nickname. Right-click the room name and select "Join room as User" or "Join room as Panelist". Type in the room password, type in the nickname you want to use, and click Join. Or, right-click the relay name, and select one of the Join options, type in the password and nickname, and click Join.
   
   If you leave the Join Nickname blank, you'll log in with the nickname set in Options, Mode/Identity.
   
   hotComm remembers the last nickname you used for each room.
   
   
10. The Silent List feature is removed from all products.
    
    
11. Transcript behavior - if the room moderator has set Keyboard disable (users can't see each others' posts) and you have joined as a user (not a moderator, panelist, or CL presenter) and the room is configured to let you see the prior transcript when you join, then you only see in the prior transcript the posts of moderators who are in the room when you join. The prior transcript you see will not include posts of moderators who left the room before you joined.
    
    If a moderator posts into the room and then leaves before you join, and comes back after you join, you will not see their prior posts unless you disconnect from the room and re-join while they are still there. When you re-join, you will see all their prior posts.
    
    

1. Connection improvements, including better recovery from network IP changes.
   
   
2. Connection Notification Log. When you start the hotComm client, you see a Connection Notification Log that traces the connections your hotComm client makes to the 1stWorks location server, the 1stWorks proxy server and the relay servers. If you are having a problem connecting, click "Send Email" and supply a brief description of what you want to connect to. If you successfully connect to the room you want, you can ignore the log.
   
   Please note that this log is designed for our engineers to use in diagnosing connection issues, and the messages are written for them rather than for customers. In general, you can ignore these logs unless you are having a problem connecting or staying connnected.
   
   You can see the log by clicking View, then Connection Logs.
   
   1stTime LOG - a special connection notification log is set to 1stWorks Support automatically when you install a hotComm client.
   
   
3. Send to Room feature. hotComm Standard/Pro moderators can push a room address to a Lite or CL client. Right-click the user's nickname in Invited List and select Send to Room. Then type the room name into Find Room and click Find Next. When the room is found, type in the room password and click Send User.
   
   In the case where the same room name exists on more than one server, you can click Find Next repeatedly to cycle through them.
   
   If the room is password-protected, you must type in the correct password. If the room does not have a password, you can simply type a space (or anything) for CL clients and leave it blank for Lite clients.
   
   The address is added to the user's Target Site in the format relayserver:roomname, so they can get back to the room easily.
   
   
4. Improved connection messages. There are new connection error messages to help identify the reason for a connection problem. Most noticably, the old "room does not exist" message has been separated into several messages, depending on the cause. Also, if you are using a Kaspersky security product, you get an additional message with links to instructions for configuring Kaspersky for hotComm clients.
   
   Explanations and instructions regarding the messages are available at http://www.hotcomm.com/connect.asp
   
   
5. Typo prevention.
   
   - In Lite and CL, the Green Person button Target Site removes spaces, second colons, illegal characters
   
   - "Your hotComm Identity" window nickname disallows unlock codes or obvious room addresses
   
   - The hotComm Room Shortcut builder utility now removes spaces and colons.
   
   

1. hotComm Standard/Pro is automatically activated. You no longer need to type or paste in the 44-character Activation Key during registration.
   
   
2. Uninstall Survey. When you uninstall a hotComm client, you are sent to a website where you can fill in a survey to tell us why you are uninstalling. Your feedback is valuable and helps us improve our products.
   
   
3. Installers do not install Mirror Driver on 64-bit computers.
   
   
4. Dr. Watson for Windows Vista. This is a separate installer for the Dr. Watson diagnostic utility on Windows Vista.
   
   

CL Plus

Introducing CL Plus - an innovative CL upgrade with unlimited lifetime access to more powerful features. For an introduction, see www.hotcomm.com/clpmoreinfo.asp. It includes:

1. CL Plus users can choose multimedia recording (WMV) for both audio and charts where permitted instead of just audio. See http://www.hotcomm.com/guide/recordingCL.asp.
   
   
2. CL Plus users can create custom Abbreviation/Expansion messages to complement the standard set plus custom .wav files and emoticons. See www.hotcomm.com/guide/abbreviations.asp. Note that you can create your own custom emoticons. See See www.hotcomm.com/guide/emoticons.asp.
   
   
3. CL Plus users have access to the hotScript feature to display postings from selected people only. See www.hotcomm.com/guide/hotscript.asp.
   
   
4. CL Plus user nicknames will be shown with a special color in the Invited List.
   
   
5. Your lifetime CL Plus upgrade has a one-time fee. Note: "lifetime" applies to the original email address used. It is not transferable to other email addresses.
   
   

1. Green Person button in hotComm CL, to allow direct connections to rooms. The instructions are the same as for hotComm Lite. The button functions the same way it does for hotComm Lite, with these notes:
   
   
   • hotComm CL still requires a password in order to determine whether you are joining as user, presenter or moderator; if the room does not have a password, you simply type a space or anything you wish.
   
   
   
   • For the "Pop-up Connect to Target Site on Startup" checkbox: hotComm CL is shipped with this box unchecked. hotComm Lite is shipped with this box checked.
   
   See hotComm CL and the Green Person button.
   
   
2. In hotComm Standard/Pro, all hotComm format (HCR) record options are selected by default in a new install.
   
   
3. In hotComm Standard/Pro, the hotScript now contains entries from all open sessions (rooms). You can add or remove users to/from the list from any room. The hotScript itself is viewable from Session 1 only.
   
   
4. The timestamp for each hotScript entry now includes the date as well as the time.
   
   
5. In hotComm Lite, the language in the "Your hotComm Lite Identity" window has changed. It now asks for your name or nickname instead of your identity.
   
   
6. The ReLog to hotComm Server option has been added to the hotComm CL and hotComm Lite headset icon right-click menu. This option relogs you into the hotComm VNS server. Use it if it looks like you are in a session but the earphones on the headset icon have changed to white or gray instead of red-and-blue.
   
   In hotComm CL and hotComm Lite, if you are not connected to a session, the icon menu includes a grayed-out Resync to hotComm Server. This is non-functional, except as a placeholder for the functional equivalent in hotComm Standard/Pro.
   
   hotComm Standard/Pro note: there are equivalent options in the hotComm Standard/Pro headset icon menu.
   
   
   • You see ReLog to hotComm Server if you are logged into any sessions; clicking it relogs you into the hotComm VNS server. Use it if it looks like you are in a session but the earphones on the headset icon have changed to white or gray instead of red-and-blue.
   • You see Resync User List if you are not logged into any sessions; clicking it causes the VNS to refresh the connection data for each user and relay in your User List. Use this if you are online but some of your relays are red.
   
   
7. General connectivity improvements, using the newest connection IMC.DLL module.
   
   
8. When using Transparent Collaborator, hotComm menus open correctly without immediately vanishing.
   
   

• When presenting from a Vista computer with the display set to Aero, and not using the hotComm Mirror Driver, the ThruView and Transparent Collaborator features do not work correctly. With ThruView, the hotComm window image remains visible. With Transparent Collaborator, the lines you draw are all black. Workaround: use the Mirror Driver, or set your Windows display to Basic.
  
  To change your Vista Windows display, right-click on your desktop and select Personalize. Then select Window Color and Appearance. Then select Open classic appearance properties for more color options. In the Appearance Settings window, select Vista Basic, then click Apply and OK.
  
  

1. Skin: hotComm Lite has a new look (a skin). The /skx command line option turns off the skin. /sko turns it back on.
   
   
2. Installation: hotComm Lite activation is automatic. The 8-character activation key still exists, but users no longer need to get it by email and enter it in.
   
   
3. Unlock codes: hotComm Lite and hotComm Standard unlock codes can be used interchangeably, with the number days adjusted automatically due to the price difference between the products.
   
   
4. Unlock code and connection error messages have changed.
   
   
5. Windows Vista compatibility: you can run hotComm Lite without using the Run As Administrator option. Also, the hotComm weblinks now work on Vista in Internet Explorer and Netscape as well as Firefox.
   
   
6. File locations have moved to accomodate Windows Vista. Program files are stored in c://Program Files/1stWorks folders as usual. In XP, data and settings files are stored in c://Documents and Settings/youraccount/Local Settings/Application Data/1stWorks folders. In Vista, data and settings files are stored in c://Users/youraccount/AppData/Local/1stWorks.
   
   

1. You can now record directly in Windows Media Video format (WMV). You can record audio and the visuals you see in the hotCam window including hotPointer, or you can record everything that is displayed on your primary monitor. This technique uses the Microsoft Windows Media Encoder 9.0 , which can be downloaded during your hotComm Std/Pro install. The Encoder is about 10Mb to download. Please make sure you have adequate computer resources to run it as well as your other applications.
   
   
2. File Sharing. Improvements in File Sharing user interface (see separate list).
   
   
3. Multiple sessions. Joining Session 2 or higher no longer puts your name and <<Mic Off>> in the transcript.
   
   
4. Audio Focus now changes correctly. When you select a different room for audio focus, it removes the audio focus from the room that you selected previously.
5. Session Recording. You can now make more than one recording during the same session without losing audio on the second and subsequent recordings.

1. CL moderators can now change room passwords.
   
   
2. CL moderators can now control webcams through the Session Control Toolbar in a webcam-enabled room. Disable prevents all webcam use by anyone (including moderators, presenters and users), enable allows webcam use by anyone. Note that only one webcam is allowed at a time.
   
   
3. The hotComm CL with desktop shortcut installer (hclsetupr.exe) now installs both the regular "hotComm CL" shortcut and the "Connect to room" shortcut on your desktop. Uninstall leaves the "Connect to" shortcut in case you want to reinstall.

1. Whiteboard in a room is limited to rooms with 10 or fewer attendee-level users. This limit does not include moderators and presenters.
   
   
2. Webcams are limited to one per room at a time.
   
   
3. Webcam window now has a warning message about closing the data stream if the user tries to close the window while webcam is live.
   
   
4. Notice about HiFi audio while recording. By design, HiFi audio is not recorded. When you are recording a session and the presenter is in HiFi mode, you now get a message warning you that the presenter's audio will not be recorded.
   
   

1. Std/Pro and Lite notices about expiring licenses and trials now includes the number of days remaining.
   
   
2. hotComm Registration server now accepts connections on port 8080 as well as 80, which should make it easier for people to connect for registration.
   
   

1. Toggle View button. Click the new View button to switch between seeing details or seeing a list. The list view includes column headings. In (Depressed) gives a Details view, with column headings. Out (not depressed) gives a list of files. This button replaces the right-click View List/View Details menu.
   
   
2. You can now traverse your OUTBOX and INBOX folders.
   
   
3. You can now download specific files or folders from within a folder in your INBOX. Previously, you had to download the entire folder.
   
   
4. Menus. Right-mouse popup menu for files and directories now gray out items that are not allowed.
   
   
5. Information balloons now wait until after 2 seconds without mouse movement before they appear. They vanish when the mouse moves or 1 minute has elapsed.
   
   
6. Auto-update. If you have set a folder or file to auto-update, you can change the folder to which the updates are downloaded. To do this, press the SHIFT key while selecting Auto-Update. You are prompted for the folder location.
   
   
7. GET. If a file or folder had been previously downloaded, selecting GET will bring up the location where the file or folder was last downloaded, so you can change it.
   
   
8. Status symbols. Coordination of the online status symbols in the main User List and the File Sharing user list has been improved.

• The following problem can now be fixed by resetting your computer date/time to the current date/time: after changing computer date/time to something other than the current time, CL clients were unable to connect to rooms, and Std/Pro clients got a "Licenses suspended" message.
  
  
• The "Ask Support a Question" feature now sends information about your computer system and hotComm installation to the hotComm Support team, to help us diagnose the problem more quickly. For sample information, see Ask Support A Question in the hotComm User Guide.
  
  

1. In File Sharing, you no longer get the error message "This parameter is incorrect" when trying to get a file.
   
   
2. In File Sharing, the lists now display correct data.
   
   
3. The /nd option now works for Session 1 as well as for other sessions.
   
   

1. Message window. Messages left by any client attempting to connect directly to a Std/Pro user are now stored in a Message window, instead of being posted in the Std/Pro user's transcript. The message window pops up automatically when a message arrives.
   
   
   • To open it yourself, click View, then Messages.
   • In the Message window, double-click an entry to see the full message text.
   • To delete multiple entries, highlight them and press your Delete key.
   
   
2. Java messages. Java clients attempting to connect directly (peer-to-peer) to a Std/Pro user can now leave messages if the Std/Pro user does not respond or clicks the "I'm Busy" button.
   
   The instructions that appear in the Java client transcript can be set by the Std/Pro user in their IM-Live DEFAULT_ONL.HTM file. If you customize your Java client skin, we recommend you coordinate the instructions with your skin. The parameters are:
   
   - Waitmsg. Appears while the Java client is waiting for a response.
   - Leavemsg. Appears if the response times out.
   - Busymsg. Appears if the Std/Pro user clicks "I'm busy".
   
   
3. Windows "I'm Busy" message. Windows clients can now leave messages if the Std/Pro user clicks the "I'm Busy" button (formerly they could only leave a message if the Std/Pro user didn't respond).

• Yield Application Control to user (available for hotComm Pro level licenses) - you can let one user at a time take control of an application that you are showing with Timed Application (camera), while others watch. This works with Timed Application, not with Timed Region or Timed Window. You are actually projecting Timed Application to the room, but you and the selected user are working with the Dynamic Desktop remote control feature. To do this:
  
  
  1. Right click the user's name in the Invited List and select Yield Application Control to User.
     
     
  2. Control of the area you are shooting with Timed Application immediately passes to the user. You and the selected user see it in a Dynamic Desktop window. Other users see the area as Timed Application.
     
     
  3. When you are ready to take back control, tell the user to click the Yield Local Control button in the Dynamic Desktop window. This gives the most graceful exit.
     
     If you want to take back control by force, click the hotComm window for the session you're using Dynamic Desktop in and press your F9 key.
     
     
  Notes:
  - You (the presenter) are actually sending Timed Application data to the users who are watching, and at the same time have a Dynamic Desktop connection with the selected user.
  
  - The selected user is switched from a Timed Camera to Dynamic Desktop and, when done, back to Timed Camera.
  
  - Session recording does not include Dynamic Desktop. You (the presenter) will have the results of the Dynamic Desktop because you're running both Timed Camera and Dynamic Desktop at the time. The watching users will have the results as well. The participating user's recording will not include the visual portion of the Dynamic Desktop session.
  
  - If the selected user is running a revision less than 6.0, they will see both the Dynamic Desktop window and the Timed Application window. This uses significantly more bandwidth than just having one window. We recommend that anyone planning to take control update to a 6.0 revision or higher.
  
  - Dynamic Desktop takes more bandwidth than Timed Camera.
  
  
• Yield Desktop Control to User - similar to Yield Application Control, except that it gives control of your entire desktop to one user. They see your desktop in a Dynamic Desktop window.

1. hotDoc. Significant improvements in the hotDoc feature, including:
   • Version Control - hotDoc archives multiple versions.
   • Get whichever version you want.
   • hotDoc support now available for CL and Lite:
     - CL users can't do anything
     - Lite users and CL presenters can receive documents. When they request hotDoc, the server will push the folder to them.
     - CL and hotComm moderators can download, upload, get doc, and can manage hotDoc folders.
   • Auto-update available for HC moderators (not CL), except not including the T'SCRIPTS and UPLOADS folders.
   • Handling compressed files. hotComm now downloads the most recent real version, not the compressed file stored on the server. The server stores compressed files with a .hza extension.
2. hotCam. hotCam window includes combo box of Zoom types, so resizing is easier. (included in 5.50.001a for Std/Pro).
3. Passwords.
   - Room passwords. The room password, CL moderator password and CL presenter password are now entered in three separate fields. The old three-part syntax no longer works.
   - The /arc=relayserver:roomname command line option now tries to connect using the most recent saved password. You only see the Session Password window if the password changed. This option is available for Std/Pro.
   - If you connect with a room-specific desktop shortcut (Connect to "roomname" on ["relayserver"]), the password for the room is saved. You are not prompted again unless the password changes. If you want to enter a different password (for example if you have been connecting as a user and now you want to enter with the moderator password), disconnect from the room without exiting hotComm CL, click the shortcut icon again and you will be prompted to put in a password.
4. Room password management. Room owner sees room passwords in Options >Mode/Identity. If the Room Owner changed passwords from that computer, the passwords show in clear text. If the passwords were changed from any other computer (including the server), they display as asterisks (***).
5. Sound Events. For CL, Joining Peer and Leaving Peer events are now installed without associated sounds; note that only moderators hear these sounds. For Std/Pro, those events continue to be installed with associated sounds. You can set the sounds yourself, see http://www.hotcomm.com/guide/sound_events.asp. Software updates do not change your settings for existing events.
6. Registration
   • hcUser nickname. Lite and CL no longer display "hcUser" as the default nickname. A user-entered nickname is required.
   • Email validation. Problems with email validation during Lite/CL registration are fixed.
7. Java client user count. Java client no longer displays user count if Isolate Users is enabled.
8. Recording disable. Loophole in recording disable is fixed.
9. Fixes to CRM log handling (VEVENT).
10. Communications API allows room profile management through ASP as an alternative to through terminal services.
11. Updated compiler to VC-7.

1. New shapes in Selections Toolbox. See Changes to Transparent Collaborator, below.
2. All - AboutBox Dialog fix to correct "update available since ..." message
3. All - New method of updating PEAK METER to correct problem where hotComm may crash on some computers when mic is on.
4. Lite Import - Allow import button in Lite Identity dialog even when Nickname or Email address are not entered.
5. Lite Import - Allow import of Lite Identity without needing to restart hotComm.
6. Lite and Std/Pro - When processing an unlock code, all buttons in the registration window are grayed out until response is received from the VNS.
7. Std/Pro Transcript - Remove user "speed" info from the top of the transcript.
8. Std/Pro Transcript - On the server, the complete transcript (no stripping) is saved when transcript is cleared.
9. Std/Pro Import - After an import, hotComm starts if "Run on Finish selected" is checked. Technically, hotComm is started and closed automatically earlier in the import process in order to import the files.
10. Std/Pro Registration - spaces are no longer accepted in website names.
11. Std/Pro Registration - Pages are always displayed even if HCRG was cancelled before entering 44-byte activation sequence.
12. Pro moderators can filter user posts before they go into the transcript. See Transcript Filter, in the User's Guide under Moderator Features.
13. Fix - Std/Pro Independent file transfer now allows transfers from specific folders underneath /UPLOADS and /VEVENT. File transfer of the entire /UPLOADS and /VEVENTS folders is not allowed.
14. CL moderators no longer see connection information from users connecting through a weblink. This information is only available to hotComm Standard/Pro moderators, who can disable it by clicking Options, then Mode/Identity, then unchecking Alert In/Out.
15. Content Relay Manager - Hide AUDIO, CAMERA, VIDEO and CONTACT button if Content Relay Manager mode is selected.

1. Selections Toolbox - Polygons are a new shape option. While you are drawing a polygon, the outline is green if it is a perfect polygon, red if it is an almost perfect polygon, and the reverse image of the selected color otherwise.
2. Selections Toolbox - Named pointer use by attendees is limited. Attendees cannot select named pointers when there are 4 or more already in use. This limit does not apply to moderators or CL presenters. NOTE: more than 4 named pointer causes everything to slow down.
3. Collaboration menu - Save lets you save the whiteboard graphical contents, including mark-up, in a work-in-progress format. Load lets you reload the saved whiteboard contents and continue working on it. Ctrl+Shift is a hot-key sequence that toggles the Selections Toolbox Undo and Clear button with Save and Load.
4. Named pointers - After you select a named pointer, left-click to turn the pointer on and off. Right-click to turn off pointer and change to previous Selections Toolbox settings.
5. Fix - whiteboard no longer occasionally shows little squares in the text.

1. Panel Display - Users can double-click on a Presentation to pop it out into a separate panel. Double-click the separated panel to return it to the fixed panel.
2. Panel Display - If the Presentation is popped-out into a separate panel and the moderator stops the presentation, the Java client remembers that the presentation was in the popped-out panel. When the moderator starts the timed camera again, it appears in the popped-out panel.
3. Panel Display - When a timed camera presentation is not playing, the presentation area can contain a graphic and a link.
4. Fix - Java clients can now receive Dynamic Desktop presentations.
5. New applet parameter - "LowBW". hotComm Java will not connect to the room if the minimum speed is not met and a "Speedlink" option is set. The Speedlink option re-directs the user to a message, so that you can tell they what's happening and what to do.
6. New applet parameter - "TSoff". Disables access to the transcript, so that the user can see it, but cannot copy from it or scroll it.

• Recording and Playback
  
  
  1. Fast Forward and Rewind - Session Playback now has Fast Forward and Rewind, with the Playback Toolbar and Playback Slider. This is available for all hotComm Windows clients (not Java).
     
     This works with session recordings made with current and previous releases.
     
     
  2. Includes Still Camera - Still Camera shots are now included in session recordings if you have Timed Camera checked in the Recording Setup.
     
     
  3. Playback Options - Playback options are now managed through the Select Session Media for Playback window (click a triangle button in the Playback Toolbar).
     
     
  4. Offline Playback - You can play a recording offline, without being connected to the 1stWorks Network, such as on an airplane.
     
     
  5. Intellectual Property protection - if the presenter has disabled Recording, then third-party recorders are automatically closed, with a notice.
     
     
  
  
  

• Abbreviations (AE), Voting Polls, Auctions
  
  
  1. AE Wizard - The Wizard generates the correct syntax for a Voting Poll or Auctions AE. To use it, select an AE and click the Wizard button in the Abbreviations Expansion (AE) dialog.
     
     
  2. Send buttons
     
     

     Button	Action
     Send to this session	places the selected AE into the typing area of your current session or room. This replaces the Use Abb. button.
     Send to all sessions	places the selected AE into the typing areas of all room or session you're in. This replaces the Broadcast button.

     
     Note: this does not post the AE directly into the room. To post it, click in the typing area and press Enter.
     
     
  3. Voting Poll results - Voting Poll results are now displayed for all choices, even for those that received no votes.
     
     
  4. Auction display - auctions now display correctly to all clients.
     
     
  5. Voting Poll in Java - in hotComm Java, Voting Polls now display in a separate window.
     
     
  
  
  

• hotComm Java Client Management Options
  
  There are new parameter options for the highly-customizable Java client. Note: there may be a charge for customizing a Java client; please see your 1stWorks Sales Rep.
  
  
  1. Minimum connection speed test - you can specify a minimum connection speed for Java clients. If the user's connection does not meet the minimum, they get a message in the chat transcript, and they can be re-directed to a more explanatory webpage (Speedlink). Note: the user can continue into the room; they are not blocked from entering.
     
     
  2. Pass email in Java link - an email address can be included in the room weblink, with the -em=address option. This affects Java clients only; it is ignored by the hotComm Windows clients.
     
     
  3. Panel Display format - Timed Camera presentations can be embedded in the main screen instead of in a separate window.
     
     
  4. Increased number of custom links - add your own links for PPT's, speaker bio's, emails, weblinks.
     
     
  5. Graphic on-the-fly - a graphic dropped by a hotComm Windows user into the room can appear automatically in the upper right corner of the Java client. Note: Windows hotComm clients see the graphic as a normal drag-and-drop file in a separate window.
     
     
  
  
  

• Connectivity
  
  
  1. New connectivity code - fewer TCP connections are made automatically in hotComm Standard/Pro. Initial connect time may increase, but reliability will improve.
     
     
  2. Improved handling of lost connections - User names are deleted from the Invited List after losing connection. Consequently, Private Messages are no longer delivered to the incorrect person when they are intended for someone who has lost connection.
     
     
  
  
  

• Install and Uninstall
  
  
  1. Install and Uninstall closes hotComm - If your hotComm is running when you install or uninstall a hotComm product, it will be closed automatically. Then the install or uninstall continues.
     
     This applies regardless of whether you are installing or uninstalling the same product that is running, or a different one. It applies to all hotComm Windows products.
     
     
  2. hotComm CL Identity Email - hotComm CL now requires a valid email address in the Identity window.
     
     
  3. hotComm Standard/Pro registration - Default values are supplied for ezPeer Website and Password. You can edit the Website. The Password is hidden and cannot be changed. The default value for the ezPeer Website is: first initial of the first name, followed by last name.
     
     
  4. hotComm Standard/Pro ezPeer website and default nickname - you may be able to change the website and default nickname through Registration, Profile Information -- once.
     
     Note: to change your nickname in rooms, click Options, then Mode/Identity and change the nickname under the selected mode.
     
     
  
  
  

• Visible Email, IP and other information
  
  
  1. Visible information from a link - Moderators can see email address and other information about users who join a room by clicking a link. Note: "Moderators" include hotComm Standard/Pro Panelists and Listed Moderators, and hotComm CL Moderators, but not CL Presenters.
     
     Standard/Pro moderators can use the Alert User In/Out option to show or hide this information. Select Options, Mode/Identity, and check or uncheck Alert User In/Out.
     
     A hotComm CL moderator always sees the information.
     
     
  2. Event Attendance Logs - event attendance logs can be made available to Room License Holders. You are the room license holder if you log in with hotComm Standard/Pro with the registration the room is based on. A fee may be charged; see your hotComm sales representative.
     
     
  3. User Profile - Email address is no longer visible through the hotComm Standard/Pro User List "Profile" option.
     
     
  4. Check User Info - Email address display through the Invited List "Check User Info" option is now limited. Room license holders (room owners) and Listed Moderators can see the email address. Server-level Panelists and hotComm CL Presenters cannot see the email address. Users do not have the "Check User Info" option.
     
     
  
  
  

• Room Passwords
  
  
  1. Changing Room passwords - the room password field has been split into three separate fields in the hotComm Standard/Pro Mode/Identity window.
     
     
  2. Blank passwords. If you leave a password blank, it will be set to blank.
     
     
  3. Visible passwords. The most recent passwords you entered from this computer are shown in visible text. Note: passwords entered from other computers and passwords set on the server are not shown, so unless you were the last person to set passwords, these may not be the current passwords. Passwords are encrypted for transfer and storage.
     
     

• Content Relay Manager changes
  
  
  1. Visible passwords - passwords entered in the Room Profile are displayed in clear text. Passwords changed through a user's Mode/Identity dialog are displayed as asterisks. Note that passwords are encrypted for transfer and storage.
     
     
  2. Room name changes - changing the room name through the Room Profile also changes the names of underlying files and folders.
     
     
  
  
  

• Miscellaneous client changes
  
  
  1. Unlock code message - "Please wait ..." now appears while an unlock code is being processed in hotComm Lite and hotComm Standard/Pro. A message appears at the bottom of the window.
     
     
  2. Filename format - filenames now start with the date in YYYY-MM-DD format - filenames for transcripts, graphics and graphics now start with the date in YYYY-MM-DD format, to make them easier to find.
     
     
  3. Save hotCam (chart) window size and location - after you resize or move the hotCam window (where charts appear), the window remains that size and in that location even when the presenter changes charts. It remains that way until you close hotComm.
     
     Note: applies to Windows hotComm clients only.
     
     
  
  
  

• Miscellaneous improvements and fixes
  
  Miscellaneous improvements and fixes in server, client, and Java software, including:
  
  
  1. Fix - Reset Mic & Cams restores the Session Control toolbar to the defaults set on the server in the room profile.
     
     
  2. Fix - you can now delete a roomlink from a custom group in the hotComm Standard/Pro User List.
     
     
  3. Fix - crash after importing different audio card
     
     
  4. Fix - recording playback issues
     
     
  
  
  

1. Joining Peer and Leaving Peer sound events are now supported in hotComm CL for moderators and presenter. These events play an audio alert when someone joins or leaves the room. To change them, see http://www.hotcomm.com/guide/sound_events.asp.
   
   
2. Abbreviations (AE) changes:
   • New Abbreviations (AE) Wizard. Click the Wizard button to create or edit a Voting Poll AE or an Auctions AE.
   • "Send to this session" puts the AE in the typing area in the current room or session.
   • Auctions AE feature now displays Auction correctly to CL recipients.
   To create or edit AEs in hotComm CL, join a room as a moderator. Right-click the bottom line of your hotComm CL window (the status bar) and select AE Settings.

1. Timed Camera window is no longer closed when a moderator changes a Session Control toolbar setting.
2. File names in the /T'SCRIPTS and /UPLOADS folders now start with the date and timestamp.
3. If you try to uninstall hotComm CL when any hotComm program is running, you are prompted to close the hotComm program before the uninstall finishes.
4. New help file.
5. References to hotComm Conference Lite are changed to hotComm CL.

1. Input Peak Meter (which displays mic input) is now on the right side of your hotComm window.
2. New Message sound event no longer plays when you are sent a pre-defined sound or a Timed Camera starts.
3. New 6-day trial extension unlock code for hotComm Lite.
4. Server-side fixes to the Update Moderator List function.

1. New - Input Peak Meter. Displays on the status line of your hotComm window (the bottom line) when your mic is on, to show audio input levels. Enable or disable it with the Input Peak Meter checkbox in the VoIP Settings window (right-click Mic icon to get this window).
2. Fix - Input Peak Meter replaces Caption Meter, which caused occasional crashes when mic was on.
3. Fix - You can now start a new session recording within seconds of stopping a recording without overwriting the previous recording.
4. Fix - Session recordings no longer record Private Messages that appear in the recorder's transcript.

1. Session recording is automatically resumed when you are automatically reconnected if your connection drops.
2. Fix for problem with Listed Moderators and Room License Holders opening rooms.
3. Changes introduced in 5.00.010ax and 5.00.010bx.

1. Changes in the default setting for microphone silence duration and volume (how long the silence is before hotComm stops transmitting audio, and how low a volume is interpreted as silence). This should fix a problem with audio dropping out occasionally.
2. Session recording - each time you start a recording, it starts a new file. You can now make multiple recordings without closing the session.
3. Client-side fixes for Microsoft Visual C++ error.
4. Fix for hotComm crash due to interaction with some anti-virus software.
5. hotComm Standard/Pro - Fix for problem with entering correct password for additional sessions if the first password was wrong.

1. Server-side fixes for Microsoft Visual C++ error causing Timed Camera freezes.
2. Audio - Recording Volume Slider can controls IntroWave option. Previously, it controled the Microphone and WaveMix options only.
3. Room configuration supports a percentage of Java and/or CL clients.

1. More fixes for microphone support.
2. Java client - Fix for problem where Voting Poll crashes in the hotComm Java client if you let it time out and you are using the latest Sun Java.
3. Webcam now works through Microsoft's DirectShow.
4. Webcam - problem with TV Tuner is fixed.
5. Webcam - ATI Camera Video IN problem with capture card is fixed.
6. Room Profile now allows open mic in Private Sessions (extra room fee).
7. Room Profile isolation default is now implemented through the Session Control toolbar 2-heads icon.
8. Session recording - synchronization of audio and video in recording playback is improved.
9. Session recording - timing in a network playback will be somewhat different than timing in a local playback.
10. Timed Camera - caching on relay servers is changed to improve speed.
11. Refresh Timed Display in hotCam display can be done only once every 30 seconds. This prevents bottlenecks from repeated refreshes and gives a chance for the differential updates to arrive.

1. Fixes for microphone problems.
2. Full session record now produces one file. You can post the .hcr file in a website link for hotComm users to play back.

1. USB mic support.
2. Audio VoIP dialog - you can select the input system, if you have more than one.
3. Audio VoIP dialog - you can select the mixer system, if you have more than one.
4. Session Record timer now works correctly.
5. hotPointer is now displayed immediately to Java clients when they join a room.
6. Joining users now see the correct In/Out status for people in the Invited Lists.
7. Moderators are automatically removed from the silent list when they are added as moderators.

1. New feature - Individual rooms can add an "I Accept" or "I Decline" window that users must accept before connecting to the room. Panelists and authorized moderators are not challenged. Room owners who want this feature should request it through their sales reps.

1. Session Record. hotComm Standard/Pro can record a full session including audio, camera, webcam, transcript. The session recording can be played back by hotComm Standard/Pro, hotComm Lite and hotComm CL. Moderators can play a session recording in a room, where it can be viewed by all hotComm clients (including Java). See Session Record in the online User's Guide.

1. Fix for the Session Control Disable Gimmickry feature.
2. hotComm CL now includes webcam for all users unless disabled by moderator.
3. hotComm Lite Change Identity is moved to the Options menu.
4. When a user is blocked by a moderator or a SysOp:
   - User gets a message telling them who blocked them.
   - A message goes into the SysOp Server transcript.
5. Cascade Windows on Primary now re-docks the transcript.

1. Fix for crashes after several minutes of watching a chart.
2. Transcript docking change: to "un-dock" the transcript, right-click in the transcript and select Undock Transcript. To re-dock the transcript, click the tiny X in the upper right corner of the transcript window, or right-click in the transcript and select Dock Transcript. (Double-clicking the transcript no longer un-docks the transcript.)
3. Undocked transcript window title bar now says "Transcript".
4. Fix - after clicking a link in the transcript, your cursor stays at that point in the transcript. It no longer jumps to the bottom of the transcript.
5. Indent Transcript is no longer included in Gimmickry. To enable it, select Options, then check Indent Transcript.
6. hotCam title bar displays compressed size in K as [user], such as [Support]<23K>.

1. Change in presentation of Camera shots (charts, slides)
   
   Change: In Un-moderated rooms, all Camera shots sent by modrators are now auto-minimized. This includes all Camera choices (not Dynamic Desktop). Minimized means that they flash quickly, then are minimized and can be viewed by clicking their button on the Windows taskbar.
   
   Unchanged: In a Moderated rooms, the moderators can choose to send their Camera shots minimized. Select Options, then Mode/Identity, and check "Minimize New Moderator Charts". If that box is checked, the charts sent by that moderator are displayed minimized. If it is unchecked, then Charts display automatically, medium size (i.e, not maximized, not minimized).
   
   Unchanged: All User Camera shots continue to be displayed as links in the transcript.
   
   
2. Transcripts panel can be moved around, or "un-docked". To "un-dock" it, double-click anywhere in the transcript area. To "re-dock" it, click the small X in the upper right corner of the transcript area.
   
   If you double-click it when it is "un-docked", it presents you with the option to save the transcript.
   
   
3. Gimickry, if disabled by the moderator through Session Control, now allows the Moderator to send sounds. Sounds from users continue to be disabled. A user can turn off the Moderator's sounds by selecting Mute-Gun+.

1. More - Internationalization changes to hotComm especially in Invited Lists & PM's.
   
   

1. New - Big move toward internationalization of hotComm. Keyboarding is now presented in the native language in all transcripts provided that the receivers have that language supported.
   
   
2. Change - hotComm CL no longer plays an Auto-typer for "test". For our "testy" customers.
   
   

1. New - Gimmickry On/Off in View menu.
   - Gimickry OFF turns off Indent Transcript and disables Sounds coming into a Room, Sounds from the Room, Raise Hand, Emoticons. Hides the Raise Hand, Smiley face emoticons and Sounds buttons. Sets Audio button to Mute-Gun+. Doesn't display emoticons or Raise Hand in transcript.
   - Gimmickry ON enables those features.
   - In Session Control, Whiteboard disabled is now Whiteboard and Gimmickry disabled.
   
   
2. Change - In View menu, Gimmickry replaces Indent Transcript.
   
   
3. Change - Still Camera is always set to TruColor (high intensity color).
   
   
4. Change - hotComm CL moderator camera defaults to Timed Camera (3s). You can select other camera options.
   
   
5. New - Session Controls can be pre-set on the server for a Room by the Room Concierge.
   
   
6. New - Moderators can see the IP address of Java client attendees by right-clicking on their names in the User List.
   
   

1. Change - Raise Hand in a room cannot be used without typing a message. Private Raise Hand is unchanged.
   
   
2. Change - Mute-Gun+ now mutes recordings produced by Abbreviation Expansions (AEs), as well as muting the pre-defined Sounds.
   
   
3. Fix - The mic source message no longer shows the wrong name.
   
   
4. New - WhiteBoard is now available with Exclusive Control. When the presenter selects this mode, others cannot draw on the whiteboard or clear it. They can use the Pointer.
   
   
5. Change - Isolate Users (in the moderator's Session Control toolbar) eliminates the guest list in the Java client.
   
   
6. New - the Java client supports multiple banner links.
   
   
7. Change - new IMC.DLL for improved connectivity.

1. Raise Hand feature. If you are in a room or session, click the Raise Hand icon and it is posted into the room to let the presenter know you want attention. You can send a Private Raise Hand as well. Raise Hand also works in private sessions.
   
   
2. Audio record timer is now 24-hour time, not AM/PM.
   
   
3. Update notice Help button.

1. Truecolor control for charts and images. Presenters can change the intensity of the color in the images they are presenting. Select Option, then Preferences, then hotCam Setup, and check True Color for high intensity (12 bit) or uncheck True Color for lower intensity (9 bit, with 3 bits each of RGB). Low intensity reduces bandwidth by 40-50%.
   
   

1. Remote Presentation Control: TrueColor and VoIP settings. Moderators can change another moderator's VoIP and Truecolor settings. Use this if someone else is presenting and you realize that their audio settings or chart intensity need adjusting. Right-click the presenter's name in the Invited List and select Remote Presentation Control, then change settings. Note: you cannot change audio source.
   
   
2. hotComm CL moderators can clear server block list. This is a hotComm headset icon option.

1. hotComm CL camera option includes Collaborative Still. This is a still camera shot with the Transparent Collaborator enabled for mark-up.
   
   
2. AuDelay parameter for IM-Live Java applet to control the pre-buffer setting (audio delay) for Java clients. 8000 is a typical setting. 15000 is recommended for low bandwidth clients.
   
   
3. Webcam and audio are now synchronized for Java clients.
   
   
4. Fixes:
   - audio issues.
   - microphone hangs when turned off.
   - Person speaking message shows wrong person's name.

1. ThruVu -tm New and revolutionary to the IM world allowing the IM application to have a controllable level of opacity superimposed over your chart or presentation thus not requiring a separate monitor. Even our Timed camera will penetrate the hotComm dialog allowing you to view session questions while showing a powerpoint or chart.
   
   In brief, your hotComm chat window becomes transparent. To select TruVu mode, click View, then This Session Transparent.
   
   To set opacity in Standard/Pro, click Options, then Preferences. 1 is almost invisible. 99 is almost fully visible. The default is 75. To set opacity in CL, right-click the headphones and make your setting. Opacity in hotComm Lite is fixed at 75.
   
   Note: if you make the chat window transparent, and then shoot it with Timed Camera, anything underneath it is projected to your audience. It acts like a moveable, resizable region.
   
   
2. Record Timer on the Audio allowing you to set the start-End timed to avoid missing that unattended event.
   
   
3. Audio / Video / hotPointer are synchronized.
   
   
4. Caption-bar Mic VU meter / Volume control displays in the hotComm window when your mic is on.
   
   
5. hotPointer and audio packets are combined to improve "modem-friendly" bandwidths.
   
   
6. Improved pre-buffering of audio in the Super-Java client to improve it's "modem-friendliness".
   
   
7. Addition of the popular "Collaborative-Still" camera mode to the CL client. This mode displays your image with the Transparent Collaborator, so you can draw and write on top of the image.