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Using the Fab Lab Video Conferencing Service from Ubuntu Linux with Ekiga

Mon, 11/29/2010 - 15:53 — Luke Scharf

There doesn't seem to be documentation on how to use the MIT Center for Bits and Atoms video conferencing system from non-Windows computers, so here's my take. I recommend recommended connecting to the CBA video conferencing server from Ubuntu Linux as follows:

  1. Use the Synaptic package manager (or issue the "sudo apt-get install ekiga") to install the Ekiga video conferencing application in the usual way.
  2. Start Ekiga by selecting the "Applications menu", then "Internet" and "Ekiga Softphone" -- or by typing "ekiga & disown" at the command-line.
    If Ekiga does not start, old configuration files from a pervious installation of Ekiga may be laying around, possibly in ~/.gconf/apps/ekiga/.
  3. Select the "Preferences" menu, go to "General" and "Personal Data" and make sure the appropriate name has been entered.  If you are an individual, the "Full Name" field should contain your name.  If this setup is for a shared machine, the "Full Name" should contain the name of the organization ("Champaign-Urbana Community Fab Lab").
  4. In the address bar, enter "mcu.cba.mit.edu" and press the green "Call" button.
  5. Select the "View" menu, and the "Dialpad"
  6. Enter "1" and "#" to select the regular Fab Lab conference room.
 
A note about audio: Suppressing echos, background noise, and audio-feedback is a constant issue in video conferences and with conference calls in general.  I suggest the following solutions:
  • http://cucfablab.org/themes/garland/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Stay muted:  Mute your microphone, except when you're speaking.  In addition to minimizing echo problems, it will cut down on the amount of random background noise that the other participants are subjected to.
  • http://cucfablab.org/themes/garland/images/menu-leaf.gif); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 1px 0.35em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Earphones with an integrated microphone: I've found that the best solution is to use headphones with an integrated microphone.  They're available for a few dollars/euros at most electronics stores.
If you need additional help please, Google for answers, contact me, or contact the IT Committee.  Corrections and/or clarifications to these instructions would be appreciated.

The pages provided by the MIT CBA are here:

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