The latest update to Microsoft's Windows XP provides additional security and convenience to that Operating System, with new firewall and pop-up blocking features. ChatHosts using Windows Media or EasyCam should not notice any significant differences. ChatHosts using iFCam, however, should be aware of the following:

When you first run iFCam after installing XP2, the firewall will advise you it is blocking access to your iFCam and ask you whether you wish it to "keep blocking" or to "unblock" it. As you do want users to connect to your video, be sure to choose "Unblock". Click to view example.

IF you accidentally chose "Keep Blocking", all is not lost. Just click the Windows "Start" button, choose Control Panel, then "Windows Firewall". When the Firewall settings box appears, click the "Exceptions" tab. You'll see a list of programs, including "IFCAM". Just click the box next to it to add a check mark, hit "OK", and you're all set!

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Visit the "Chathost Guide to HDTV" page at http://www.iFriends.net/Chathostsonly/HDTV/HDguide.htm

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2004 is the year that iFriends "goes all the way", launching tons of new features, including -- and perhaps most importantly -- 100% payouts when you bring your own customers to the iFriends platform, through a new easy-to-remember link, for everything on iFriends: FanClub/Mysite revenues, VidChat revenues, Shopping Cart revenues, and (new) "GetCloserTM" revenues. Click here to read all about it.

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Three answers: Yes, yes, and YES! First, you earn 50% of all pay-per-view and "private one-on-one" revenues generated from your videochat room. (You deliver the content by hosting your own live videochat room, and we deliver the customers! When you deliver a new customer to iFriends through a ClickCash.com link, your take is not 50%, but 100% of that customer's expenditures with you! Click here for more information) Checks are cut to you every week, in minimum amounts of $100. (If you earn less than that in a given week, the amount is carried over into the following week). Second, you earn an additional $100 for each friend that you recruit to do the same. (To qualify, the friend must be an active iFriends video chathost for at least six weeks). And third, you earn a 1% override on all net revenues generated by iFriends that you recruit to become video chathosts, *and* a 1% override on the friends that *they* recruit to become video chathosts, and so on, up to 16 different levels. (If you recruit two friends, and they recruit two friends, and so on, you'll get a 1% override on the revenues of 65,536 different iFriends!) Click here to start your video chat session *now*.

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So you want to be an iFriends video chathost, but don't know where to get started. We understand! That's why we prepared this "Getting Started" page.

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Check out the SECRETS of our Top $$$ Video Chathosts.

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Right here. (Fill out a simple form, click "submit", download the free software, turn on your webcam, and you're LIVE, in just minutes!)

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If your website is a part of the "MyiFriends.net" platform (iFriends' free website hosting service offering 1-2-3 quickstart webpage templates, your own domain names, your own members-only area where you can sell subscriptions and keep 90% of proceeds, free shopping carts and other great benefits), you can promote it anywhere on or off of the iFriends platform. Click here for a complete collection of iFriends graphics, scripts, links and other tools you are free to use on your web site.

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iFriends provides all video chathosts with their own free website, though our "mysite @ iFriends.net" facility (Also called "MyiFriends.net"). Compose and edit your own HTML, upload it to the MyiFriends server using MSIE or Netscape, and voila! -- your own secure website, located at http://MY_SCREENNAME.MyiFriends.net (or, alternatively, http://mysite.iFriends.net/MY_SCREENAME.) It couldn't be easier! Even better, it doesn't cost you a single dime. No matter how many hits you serve, or how much bandwidth you consume, your website is always FREE. For the technically sophisticated chathost, iFriends will even serve your website under your own domain name. An address such as "http://www.MyDomainName.com" can be hosted directly on iFriends free-and-unlimited "MySite" servers. (Instructions are located in the MySite facility, accessible via the Chathost Console)

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Yup -- We call them "PageTools" ... and you'll find them at here

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We recommend that you first arrange your HTML and graphics files on your own local hard drive, to make sure you've got everything linked just the way you like. Once you've got it working smoothly, use the MYSITE Upload Manager to upload your files to the MYSITE server. (You can upload three at a time, until all your files are in place. There is no limit to the number of files you can have on the MYSITE server). Then, visit your website at http://mysite.iFriends.net/MY_SCREENNAME and surf away!

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Sure!! There are some great Internet resources, as well as some wonderful books dedicated to teaching you exactly how to design your web site. Here are just a few:

• Builder.com - cNet has devoted several great sites to teaching you the basics of web site design. Builder.com has lots of tips and treats for you to use on your own web pages.
• HTML Goodies - This site gives you the basics, and even includes a section on site designs to stay away from!
• Html 4 for Dummies - By the people who have written the very successful (and helpful) "For Dummies" series, this book takes you step-by-step through the process of building your site, in very plain English - no tech talk here!
• HTML 4 for the World Wide Web: Visual... - You'll still learn everything you need to create a great site (where to start off, how to nest tables, how to add in video), but you won't feel overwhelmed by the process.
• HTML: The Definitive Guide - If you're not a beginner on computers, but don't know a lot of HTML, O'Reilly brings you great tips, quick reference guides, code examples and more.

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You can always reach iFriends, 24 hours a day, at VCHhelp@iFriends.net. You can also reach us through our Intelligent Help Assistant. Click here for our directory of email addresses, department by department. Finally, our video chathost-only iFriends help line telephone number is listed elsewhere in this FAQ, but is available only for Video Chathosts who have immediate tech-support problems that cannot be resolved through email, the help form, or this FAQ.

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That's a private matter, between you and the viewing customer. Note: When an iFriends customer enters your live videochat room, the customer receives the content directly from your computer. It's called a "one-to-one" connection. And it guarantees privacy for both you and the customer. Nobody can snoop and watch for free. Remember - what you and your customer(s) do online is a private matter between you and them, and both the video and audio travel directly between you and the customer. However, this privacy does not give you liberty to break the law -- you must stay within legal boundaries and observe all applicable laws. (Review the chathost agreement for more information on your obligation to "keep it legal").

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There are three major no-no's that will get you booted off iFriends in a jiffy:

1. Obscenity
   (*Click here* to review the "Obscenity Disclaimer" in your VCH agreement.)
2. Customer Theft
   If you use the faciliites of iFriends.net to urge customers to spend money elsewhere, we will terminate your account immediately, no-questions-asked. (This includes "privates" arranged with IF customers and visitors that take place outside of iFriends.)
3. Customer Deception
   If you follow practices which result in customers being overcharged (such as abandoning your post in front of the camera, while paying customers enter and then leave your chatroom), or customers being "tricked" to enter your videochat room (i.e., false or misleading advertising of your session description, or labeling a prerecorded tape as "live", etc.), we will close your account.

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Not likely, unless your conduct is considered "obscene" in your community. Please see the Video Chathost Agreement for general information on what is and isn't generally considered obscene in most communities. Important: iFriends forbids obscene conduct and will terminate your video chathost account if you behave in this manner. Click here for a useful state-by-state web guide on obscenity laws and related issues.

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Is the pope catholic? Since you're reading this FAQ online, you already know how to get connected to the internet. That leaves just two things: (1) Plugging an inexpensive webcam, such as one of the Logitech Quick-Cams into the USB port of your PC, and (2) Downloading our free webcam software to run on your Windows 9x, ME, NT 4, 2000, or XP PC. And if even that proves too tough, our 24-hour-per-day friendly support team is on hand to lend *you* a hand at (561) 963-5842. If you don't have one of those cameras, we can even tell you where you can find one: your local computer store or large office supply store should have them, or you can buy them directly through a mail-order company, such as CDW (1-800-826-4239).

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Our Technical Support lines are open 24 hours a day and can be reached at (561) 963-5842.

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Well, the most important "component" of your setup is an exhibitionist in front of your camera! Seriously, here's what we recommend: a working PC, (it doesn't have to be particularly fast... a mere Pentium 100 or higher is fine), running Microsoft Windows 95 or later (including Windows XP, or Windows 2000/2003) or MacOS. (Our free webcam software doesn't work with MacOS, but you can still use our "EasyCam" option, provided you are using Apple's Safari web browser.) We also suggest that your PC have at least 16 MB RAM, although 32 or more is optimal; just about any PC on the market these days will far exceed these requirements. Next, you'll need an inexpensive webcam (such as the Logitech QuickCam, see above), and, most important of all, our free webcam software. For just a few bucks more, however, you can get AMAZING picture quality by picking up a video capture card and connecting it to your own camcorder so you can use that nifty zoom! For more details, be sure to check out our Hardware Compatibility List, which shows our test results with various cameras on the market. You can even buy your hardware right online by visiting the iFriends Marketplace. Finally, you'll need a reliable Internet Service Provider (ISP) and the necessary hardware, such as a modem (since you're reading this, hopefully you're already set with this!) See the next FAQ entry for our recommendations). Note: Your camera may have additional requirements, and many do not work with NT, so make sure you read the specifications that came with your camera!

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There are literally thousands of Internet Service Providers, and the quality of service varies from area to area, and from provider to provider. (Boardwatch lists them all). We've successfully tested our webcam software with many different providers, both small and national. Just make sure the ISP you choose has enough modems to handle your connection. (A good test: Call your potential ISP and get the modem access number. Try dialing it a few times during the evening. Do you always hear a modem tone? Great! Get a lot of busy signals? Try another!). We've experienced great results with Earthlink, a nationwide provider which probably has a dial-up number in your area, but there are plenty of others out there.

However, we CANNOT recommend you use America OnLine's dial-up service (which includes CompuServe) to host sessions. AOL has begun switching their customers to something called a "proxied connection" which prevents the iFCam from working properly. As such, we cannot support ChatHosts using America OnLine or the AOL-owned CompuServe service. How do you choose the right provider? For starters, you can check out this article we found from CNET, How to choose the right ISP.

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Nope. Not a dime. To begin hosting video chat sessions as an iFriend on the Internet Friends Webcam Network, you don't have to pay anybody anything. All you need is a PC, internet connection, and webcam! (Oh, and at least one or more warm and friendly friends to put in front of the cam!)

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Go to the Contributor's Site and select the "Video Chat Session Sign-in" option. You must do this prior to each webcam session that you broadcast.

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The categories help viewers to know exactly what kind of show you are performing. There are two types of categories: General (Non-Adult) and Adults Only. The categories in the General section are fairly self-explanatory, but if you are going to do anything "risque", you will need to sign in under one of the Adults Only categories. When you sign up under one of these, you'll want to be sure you select the right one... you don't want to miss out on a visitor just because you selected the wrong type!

• Women Home Alone: Just a girl and her camera. (And maybe some props?)
• Guys Home Alone (Gay): One guy, looking for male viewers.
• Guys Home Alone (Straight): One guy, looking for female viewers.
• Girl-Girl (Lesbians): Basic math: 2 Girls + 1 Camera = Many Happy Viewers!
• Guy-Guy (Gay):: 2 Guys + 1 Camera can equal happy viewers, too!
• Guy-Girl (Couples):: Your traditional "1 Guy and 1 Girl" couple.
• Threesomes... Groups...: Three or more video chat participants in front of the camera? It's a party! Two guys one girl, or Two girls one guy!
• Gender Benders (TS,TV,CD): When neither "guy" nor "girl" seems to fit you just right.
• Other: Even more choices for more... "specialized" performances.

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Each week, Viewers have the opportunity to nominate the best ChatHosts in a variety of categories during live, fee-based iFriends videochat sessions. You can view the most recent awards by clicking the "Award Winners" Link in the blue menu bar to the left on most iFriends pages. If you have received an Award, it will also show up on your Profile Page for all your visitors to see, and you can display your iFriends award graphic on your own web site if you wish (see our special Page Tools section for other ways to promote your iFriends Chat on your own web site).

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Yes, but only if you want to, and only under certain circumstances. Here is the criteria:

1. Visitor must already be present in your fee-based live video chat room.
2. Visitor must be an iFriends ClubVIP-level member.
3. Either:

• Both you and your viewer must have the Macromedia Flash Client installed on your PC (most do). - or -
• Your visitor must have downloaded, installed and must be running ifCam version 0.96c or higher. (Yes, this is the same software that chathosts use), and must not be behind a firewall or proxy server.

If you wish to use the Flash-based option, be sure to choose the "Cam2Cam" option when you sign in your session. Otherwise, be sure it is not selected. For more information on the Flash-based option, be sure to see the special FAQ for this option.

Once the above conditions are met, you may, if you desire, see the visitor's webcam image by clicking the "Other Options" link (immediately below your webcam window in the iFriends chat interface), and clicking the "View Visitors Webcam" link on the next page. (You'll need to enter the visitor's iFriends screenname, as his "port number" which usually is 8080).

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No, set up a single screen name, with one set of prices, one address to send checks to, etc. The Video Chat Session Sign-in form at the Video Chathost console has space to identify you and your husband, hair color, etc.

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The very *fastest* way to add serving capacity is to experiment with your iCam settings. In Icam's "Setup" settings, for example, change the "send frame every 1 second" to "send frame every 2 second". You can also try changing your image size to 160x120 instead of 320x240. (Viewers will notice a fuzzier picture, but you'll be able to serve twice as many...) Another idea: If you have a second PC in your house, plug in a second $89 QuickCam and configure a second Video Chathost ScreenName. When you perform, just aim BOTH cameras at you (note: You'll have to respond to chat on *both* PCs....)

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If your ISP hangs up the connection in the middle of a broadcast, dial back in, go to your chat room, and let everybody know that you're back on and that you're going to create a NEW session. Then, sign out of the old session, and create a new one, filling out the "Video Chat Session Sign-in" form. Your customers can then follow you into the new session's videochat room. Unless you follow this procedure, customers who were watching your video in the earlier session WILL NOT be able to continue watching you!

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iFCam allows "blocking" that prevents anybody you desire from accessing your room and bugging you. To do this, just type in the chat box: !BLOCK ip-address where ip-address is that annoying so-and-so's IP#. (For example, if 123.123.123.123 was annoying you, you'd just type "!BLOCK 123.123.123.123", without the quotation marks, and *poof*, they are gone for the rest of the session!)

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Try the iFriends Guide to Private Sessions, or perhaps even better, the Private-Sessions FAQ.

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At iFriends, *you're* in control! You control your own video chat room, and you decide who can visit it. Go to the *Chathost Console* and select "Modify My Video Chathost Account". Scroll down to the section called "Video Chathost Block Zones", where you can pick specific zip codes, states and countries that you wish to "block" entering your video chat room.

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We have set up a special page all about sending audio over iFriends. Check out http://www.ifriends.net/audio.htm for more information about how to use this great feature; you won't believe how much longer viewers will stay with you if they can HEAR as well as SEE!

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Because customers download your webcam video directly from you, the rate at which they see updates depends entirely upon 1.) your internet connection, and 2.) their internet connection. If multiple customers make the same complaint, you need to either upgrade your connection or reduce the number of simultaneous viewers (through charging higher prices). If only one customer complains, but others say that performance is fine, then urge the customer to switch providers or upgrade his modem connection.

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Since your Chat session will still work, tell everyone that you will be restarting your vidcam software, and that they'll need to sign back into your session in a few minutes. If you find that you need to reboot your PC and hang up your ISP connection, when you dial back in, be sure to *terminate* your iFriends session and establish a new one. (important because your next ISP session will likely give you a new/different IP address from which you transmit).

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There are two common reasons for a slow connection: 1.) The internet is busy, most likely in your general vicinity, or 2.) You are too popular with viewers! (With a clean 28.8 or 33.6 connection, you can support between three and six similarly-equipped viewers.) The solution to *both* problems (internet congestion upstream from you or "fan" congestion on the other side of your modem) is to a.) use a higher-speed connection, such as an ISDN line (two to four times faster than a modem), and b.) use a good ISP. (See elsewhere in this FAQ for tips on picking a great ISP)

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Individuals with chat names such as "123.45.126.35" (instead of "DICK2LONG", for example) are guest-level chat participants who are unable to see your video feed. These are your prospects! They've joined the "chat-only" portion of your video-chat, so you've got their attention. Tell them what they're missing by not signing in to your live show!

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If you're successfully logged into your ISP, and your installation of iCam seems to be functioning (you can see your own video image on your monitor), and you've successfully submitted the video chat session form, your video feed should be visible to visitors. If it isn't, here's what to look for:

• Make sure the "streaming port number" in your iCam settings and the "streaming http port number" indicated in your video chat session sign-in form are one and the same. (The default is port 8080) (Click here for in-depth info on these settings.)
• Try experimenting with different streaming port numbers. (Some ISPs block traffic for certain port numbers). Good alternative streaming port numbers are 81 and 8081.
• If you're using a printer-port-based cam such as the Connectix QuickCam, look for an "EPP" (enhanced printer port) setting in your boot-up BIOS, and make sure it's enabled.

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Nope. Here's what happens if your ISP has dynamic IP addresses: Each time you dial in, your ISP gives your PC an IP address that is valid only while you stay connected. (The next time you call your ISP, you'll get a different IP address). When you use the Video Chat Session Sign-in form to register a new webcam broadcast, your current IP address is also registered into the iFriends network. For as long as you transmit your webcam feed from the same ISP session, you'll be visible to the iFriends network. If your ISP session gets interrupted and you're forced to redial, you should therefore sign out your previous video chat session and sign in a new video chat session, reflecting your new IP address.

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This normally happens if the drivers for your sound card are out of date or were written for a previous version of Windows (for example, using Windows 95 drivers on a Windows 98 PC). Simply contact or visit the web site of the manufacturer of your sound card to obtain the latest driver for your particular sound card designed especially for the version of Windows you are using. They will provide this free of charge. Once the new driver is installed, your sound should work normally. For more information about using sound with iFriends, see http://www.ifriends.net/audio.htm.

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If you're looking for the lowest-hassles method that maximizes your earnings while you sleep (who isn't?), here's what to do. First, use iFriends' new LiveStream format to host the live videochat that you want to play back later. While hosting your live videochat, click the "other options" link in your iFriends videochat interface, and select the "Record a Replay Session" link. (This works just like taking an archive videoclip -- the moment you click that link, iFriends begins recording your session for future replay). After you finish recording, iFriends adds the recorded clip to your very own "Replay Library", which you can access from the chathost console in the "Edit Archives" section. Once you have populated your Replay Library with at least one clip, you're good to go -- when you're ready to playback that replay in the iFriends Replay section, just sign in a new chathost session as usual, and select the new LiveStream replay options on the session sign-in forms. (Using these forms, you can even combine multiple clips from your replay library into a full movie ... in any sequence you desire.) But the best part of all? iFriends does all the work of serving the replay for you, so you can turn off your PC when you sleep! (Yeah!).

June 2003 update: You can now add your own home movies to your iFriends Replay Library -- in AVI or WMV formats -- by using the "upload replay" feature in your FanClub manager.

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