Instant Messenger

About Instant Messaging

Instant Messaging (IM) programs are a great way for students (and staff) to communite with friends and collegues in real time. Such applications are usually free, and can be downloaded and installed quickly and easily.

These programs have become very popular over the last few years, replacing chat rooms and IRC as the premier means of instant internet communication.

Instant Messaging and the UNE Network

All users at UNE must use the proxy server to authenticate themselves when they source a web page or database off campus. This is done to account for whom is using what, and how much each user is downloading. As a result, users can be billed for any downloads they make. For this to work programs will need to use HTTP and/or HTTPS authentication. Many applications do not use this protocol and as such they fail to connect.

With that in mind, ITD has established that applications without this feature will not be able to gain access. Some examples of software that does not include HTTP(S) authentication include:-

iChat for OS X
Trillian

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What IM Application Will Work?

However, there a some applications that will connect. Below are the instructions for applications that once configured, will work across the entire UNE network:

	AIM - AOL Instant Messenger is free software that you can download from http://www.aol.com.au/site/website/aolproducts/aim/index.php . So long as you have a computer, or even a Personal Digital Assistant, that can run the software, you can use AIM. The free AIM software is very similar to the Instant Messaging software that AOL members can access, but you don't have to be an AOL member to use it.
	ICQ - ICQ (short for 'I Seek You') http://www.icq.com/ is about creating simple, massively popular ways to communicate online. Today, with over 150 million registered users, ICQ stands for messaging on any platform, incredible global reach, one of the largest and most active global communities, and by far the coolest way to find, meet people & connect.
	MSN Messenger - A fast, fun way to send messages in real time at http://get.live.com/messenger/overview . Flirt, banter, gossip, or just catch up without saying a word with on screen conversations that are more instant than e-mail and more discreet than phone calls. MSN Web Messenger allows you to send instant messages to anyone on your contact list, share photos and files easily and use expressive emoticons to quickly communicate your mood.

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Voice / Video Conferencing (e.g. MS Netmeeting)

Demand for Voice and Video Collaboration has increased in the last 12 months and requests to open various ports on our firewall for various programs are becoming common.

ITD currently supports two protocols for voice / video conferencing: H323 and SIP. Any application that supports either of those protocols should be able to work on the STAFF subnets on campus (NOT the student network!).

For Windows, one of the packages that work is Microsoft Netmeeting, that comes pre-installed with Windows XP. (If you don't have an icon for Netmeeting on your computer, please have a look HERE for settings).

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