FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions:

The Basics:

• How do I enable audio in a SuperIM?
• How do I turn on my webcam in a SuperIM?
• What's the difference between 'voice activated' and 'push to talk' audio modes?
• Do I need a webcam to view other peoples webcams?
• Do I need a microphone to hear other people talking?

Interacting with People in the Video Strip:

There is a round drop-down arrow located under each nickname in the video strip. You can use this drop-down arrow to address the following functions:

• View a profile
• Refresh a still picture
• View webcam
• Large webcam view
• Close webcam view
• Start SuperIM
• Send a file

Toolbar Functions:

• Text format button
• Emotes/smiles button
• Nudge button
• Capture screen button
• Invite to chat button
• Mute button
• Speaker volume slider
• Microphone volume slider
• Voice mode button

Basic Answers:

• How do I enable audio in a SuperIM?

  To add audio press the 'add audio' button. All users within the SuperIM will be asked to confirm this request to join the audio conversation. Users do not have to accept this request and may continue to chat in text if they refuse the request.

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• How do I turn on my webcam in a SuperIM?

  Select 'Start my Webcam' from the 'My Cam' dropdown menu - your video automatically opens for everyone in the super IM session.

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• What's the difference between 'voice activated' and 'push to talk' audio modes?

  SuperIM uses 'Voice Activated' mode by default. You can switch to 'Push to Talk' or 'Lock Mic On' at any time by clicking on the round down arrow button to the right of the 'Push to Talk' button.

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• Do I need a webcam to view other peoples webcams?

  No you do not need a video to view other users' webcam video. If, however, you want your friends to see you smile, you will need a webcam.

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• Do I need a microphone to hear other people talking?

  You will hear others talking as long as you have speakers connected to.. or built into your computer, if you want to have your voice heard then you will need a microphone.

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Video Strip Functions:

• View a profile:

  Opens a browser window and displays this user's 'mini profile'.

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• Refresh still picture:

  If there is no video being displayed you will see your pal's display picture or 'avatar'. Use this function to refresh the picture if your pal has uploaded a new one but it has not yet auto-refreshed on your screen.

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• View webcam:

  You will start viewing video from the selected user.

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• Larger webcam view:

  Removes the video for the selected user and pops up the larger 'floating' video viewer window.

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• Close webcam view:

  Stops the viewing of video for the selected user.

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• Start SuperIM:

  Starts an independent instant message window for the selected user. Note: this function lets you hold a private text chat with any user within the SuperIM - this instant message window can also be converted to a SuperIM at any time.

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• Send a file:

  You can send files to any user that is on your Pal List'. The user MUST be online and cannot be in 'Away' or 'Do Not Disturb' mode. You can also send files to anyone in a chat room. Finally, you can drag and drop a file onto any open IM window or user in a video strip.

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Toolbar Functions:

• Text Format Button:

  Lets you set the font color, size and attributes of your text.

• Emotes/Smiles Button:

  The smiley face icon lets you choose emoticons to express emotion.

• Nudge Button:

  Press this button to send a nudge.

• Capture Screen Button:

  Captures a portion of your screen for other members to view.

• Invite to Chat Button:

  Click to invite Paltalk friends, or even non Paltalk friends via email or a URL link to chat in this SuperIM session.

• Voice Active Button:

  Click to change to 'Push to Talk' mode. In 'Push to Talk' mode you click and hold each time you wish to talk. To return to Voice Activated mode, right click and choose 'Voice Activated' from the menu.

• Microphone Volume:

  Click this button to make the microphone volume slider visible.

• Speaker Volume:

  Click this button to make the speaker volume slider visible.

• Mute Button:

  Click this button to mute incoming audio from the chat room. Click again to unmute.