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| Frequently Asked Questions |  |
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| QUESTIONS ASKED BY VIDEO CHATHOSTS: | |
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| QUESTIONS ASKED BY VISITORS & PROSPECTIVE CUSTOMERS | |
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| INDEX TO QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | |
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| Questions asked by Video Chathosts: | |
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| Can it bring me some profit? | |
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| Three answers: IT CAN BRING YOU REAL MONEY!!! First, of all you will get 50% of all pay-per-view and "private one-on-one" revenues from your videochat room. You bring the content by hosting your own live videochat room, and we bring the customers! We issue the checks on your name once in two weeks, the minimum value of the check should be $100. If you have made less money than $100 during half of month, we shall add this amount to your next time earnings. | |
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| How to sign up? | |
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| It is very simple! Fill out our form, click "submit", download the free software, turn on your webcam, and you're LIVE, in just minutes!) | |
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| Does ForumXL have any banners or other HTML goodies that I can use on my site? | |
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| Take a look at the page tools http://www.ForumXL.com/pagetools | |
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| Your contact information? | |
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| You can contact us, 24 hours a day, at help@ForumXL.com. You can also reach us through our Intelligent Help Assistant. | |
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| What type of content can I show? | |
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| That is something that you can decide yourself, everything that is happening is private between you and your customer. When an customer enters your live videochat room, the customer receives the content directly from your computer. It's called a "one-to-one" connection. It is a good guarantee of a privacy for both you and the customer. The content steys unreacheble for the third person because video and audio travel directly between you and the customer. However, you must stay within legal boundaries and observe all applicable laws. | |
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| What sort of behaviour can get me in trouble with ForumXL? | |
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There are three major no-no's that will get you booted off ForumXL in a jiffy:
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| Can I go to jail for hosting "adult" video chat sessions on ForumXL? | |
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| Only if your behavoiur is considered "obscene" in your country. Important: In case you behave in obscene manner we shall terminate our co-operation as well as your account. | |
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| Is it easy to configure my PC to do this? | |
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| 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 and (2) Downloading our free webcam software to run on your Windows 95, 98, ME, or NT 4.0 PC. And if even that proves too tough, our 24-hour-per-day friendly support team is on hand to lend *you* a hand techsupport@forumxl.com | |
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| How to reach Technical Support? | |
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| Our Technical Support lines are open 24 hours a day and can be reached at techsupport@forumxl.com | |
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| What's the best setup for my PC? | |
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| We would reccomend you: a working PC, Pentium 100 or higher, running Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, or Windows NT 4.0 (Our free webcam software doesn't work with Windows 3.1, DOS, MacOS, Linux, or other platforms). We also suggest that your PC have at least 16 MB RAM, although 32 or more is optimal. Next, you'll need an inexpensive webcam , a modem (such as the US Robotics Sportster) 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 our favorite: the 3Com BigPicture Kit, which includes a great capture card and a small camera (which you can replace with 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 ForumXL Marketplace. Finally, you'll need a reliable Internet Service Provider (ISP) (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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| Which ISP should I use? <-- AOL/CompuServe Users Please Read!! | |
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There so many Internet Service Providers on the market, sometimes it is hars to make a choice 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? That is a good sign. However, in our experience our webcam software is successfully working with different providers. However, we CANNOT recommend you use America OnLine (which includes CompuServe) to host sessions. AOL has begun switching their customers to something called a "proxied connection" which prevents the XLCam from working properly. As such, we cannot support ChatHosts using America OnLine or the AOL-owned CompuServe service. Other than AOL, which ISPs should you AVOID? A good source is CNET's list of the worst ISPs. | |
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| Is there any fee charged for the start? | |
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| All you need is a PC, internet connection, and webcamera You don't have to pay anyone. | |
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| What do I do when I'm ready to host my own video chat session? | |
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Simply run video software and enter your new ScreenName and Password. If you want to change your session settings (ex. price, description, etc.) may go to ChatHost console and do it from there. | |
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| What are the differences in categories? | |
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Different categories make it easier fo the viewers to make there choice. Two general categories are "ADULT" and "NON ADULT". When you sign up for one of the below-listed caregory you keep in mind that a viewer choose a category. Please do not confuse our customers, chooes the right category. Girls 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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| My husband and I want to host video chat sessions together. Do we set up separate video chathost screen names? | |
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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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| Can I sign off before a customer's time is up? | |
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| Technically, yes, although you might have trouble attracting that customer to your feed again. (Repeat customers are where the money's at). When you sign off, the remaining time purchased by your customer will still be available for him to use the next time you (or he) logs on. However, in the event that you "cut him off", the customer will be given the option of applying the value of the time purchased from you to another feed, and you will lose credit for the portion of time that he transfers to a different feed. | |
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| My feed is *too* popular. Any tricks to expanding quickly? | |
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| Try to change your XLCam settings. In XLCam'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. Or if you have a second PC in your house, plug in a second WebCam and configure a second Video Chathost ScreenName. However in this case you will have to respond two PS's | |
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| Can I deny an access for an offencive customer. | |
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| You can use "kick" and "ban" feature in XLCam software. Double click on user in user list, then enter reason message and click on "ban" or "kick". If you "ban" user, the he will newer be able to join your session again. If you "kick" user | |
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| TECH TALK: Customers complain my video is too slow! | |
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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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| TECH TALK: My connection to the ForumXL web site seems slow, what can I do? | |
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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. | |
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| TECH TALK: Nobody can see my video! | |
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| If you're successfully logged into your ISP, and your installation of XLCam seems to be functioning (you can see your own video image on your monitor), and you've pressed button "Start video" and your video feed still not visible to visitors, then mail to techsupport@forumxl.com | |
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| TECH TALK: Does it matter that my ISP has dynamic IP addresses? | |
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| No, because every time you start session you are authorised with your new IP address. | |
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| Questions asked by Viewers: | |
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| Is this really Free? | |
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| Surfing ForumXL as a guest doesn't cost you a dime. Also 100% FREE are many members-only features such as browsing through uncensored archives taken from thousands of past ForumXL videochats, cruising the ForumXL search engines looking for "tall blondes" "under 25", and live textchat with more than 65,000+ ForumXL video chathosts. Although the steamier areas of ForumXL require your credit-card information to validate that you are an adult (as required by Federal Law; your credit-card will be assessed a nominal adult-validation processing fee of just one dollar, which is automatically applied to your first purchase on ForumXL, thereby making membership free), you'll never be charged for anything on ForumXL unless you specifically ASK to be. Check out the full Terms and Conditions for more information | |
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| Please give me Customer Service Department data? | |
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| Our toll-free customer service department is available 24/7, reachable through email, toll-free telephone, or overseas direct dial. Plus, check our our intelligent help-assistant page for instant online help, visit our Contact Page for department-by-department contact information, and don't miss our Member Services Page, your one-stop shop for all your customer-service needs on ForumXL. | |
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| Can not remember my password, any cahance to find it? | |
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| If you forgot your username and/or password, you can use our on-line username and password retrieval system by simply clicking here. | |
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| Will my account information be safe here? Who do you share it with? | |
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| Your account registration and billing information, which you submit to ForumXL through a Verisign-certified, digital-certificate-encrypted secure channel and which ForumXL maintains behind an impenetrable, firewall-protected encrypted secure system, is never disclosed or otherwise provided to any outside party, including ForumXL' video chathosts. Your account information is accessible only to a handful of trained ForumXL' staff, all of which have passed detailed background checks. For additional information, please refer to our Privacy Policy. | |
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| On which browser does ForumXL work best? | |
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| ForumXL works with all browsers, and functions equally well with Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, and America Online. Although not required, for the best experience, we recommend that your browser support java and javascript. | |
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| Do I need any plugins? | |
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| Watching ForumXL does not require any plug-ins! No annoying downloads! | |
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| I'm using Microsoft Internet Explorer or AOL's Browser. Can I view the video chatrooms? | |
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If you're using MSIE as your browser (even if AOL is the underlying online service), you'll automatically receive a Java-enabled display that provides for high-quality streaming video. If you have java turned off, or you are using an old version of MSIE, the java display may not work so well. In that case, try clicking on the "MSIE/AOL" button; you'll get a basic video window that refreshes every 30 seconds. If you are using a very old version of AOL's built-in browser, your display may update every 60 seconds, because AOL's older built-in browsers offer the least support for video streaming and java. (If that's the case, upgrade to MSIE or Netscape; they're both free downloads, and each will run over your AOL connection). To avoid complications, make sure that you are using the latest version of your AOL browser, or even better, run Microsoft Internet Explorer. And for you AOL users, this can be run right over your AOL connection. Just buzz your friendly AOL tech support department, who can walk you through step-by-step setting up your computer to run this way. | |
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| When using Internet Explorer 5 for the Macintosh, I sometimes get a message that says MRJ 2.# is required. Why? | |
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| You are trying to access a portion of ForumXL that requires Java, but you have not yet installed the latest Mac OS Runtime for Java (MRJ). You can find out more about MRJ and how to download it at http://www.apple.com/java/. | |
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| Is this live? | |
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| Absolutely. Unless you are browsing through the "archives", or are watching the small portion of videochats that are clearly labeled as replays of previous Live ForumXL videochats, every ForumXL videochat you encounter is live. Real people. In real time. It's REAL! | |
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| Can I contact the ForumXL who is providing his/her camera feed? | |
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| That is up to the ChatHost wether She/He would like to provide you their email address, phone number, e.t.c. | |
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| Can I trace or locate the ForumXl through their IP address? | |
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| No. The "IP address" of performing ForumXL cannot be traced to the point of origin without a court order. Also, the IP address is "randomly assigned" by their provider each time they transmit. Privacy laws vary from state to state, but in most cases, attempts to locate an ForumXL through their IP addresses, however useless, nevertheless violate anti-stalking and anti-harassment statutes. Also, attempts to incapacitate or disable an video chathost's session constitute theft of services and are aggressively prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. (All attempts to do so are automatically logged and are easily traced to the point of origin) | |
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| What should I do if I'm not seeing any video? | |
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First, use the chat interface and ask if anybody else is seeing video. If everyone else in the room *also* can't see video, then there may be something wrong on the video chathost's end. This seldom happens, because the video chathost usually signs out if nobody can see their video. However, if you are the *only* one in the chatroom who can't see video, try the following: First, make sure that you've done everything you need to for the browser you're using. Make sure that your browser is supporting Java and Javascript. Try closing your browser and restarting it. Try rebooting your PC. Try switching browsers. If all that fails, try accessing ForumXL from a different online service provider. If you still cannot see video, then LEAVE THE ROOM to avoid unnecessary charges. Please let us know that there were problems by contacting our help desk at help@ForumXL.com and giving us a detailed report of the incident. | |
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| How do I end my ForumXL session? | |
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| There are two ways to end your ForumXL session. The easiest and most effective way is to simply click on the "End Session" button immediately beneath the Video Chathost's video window. Alternatively, you may simply close your browser (best bet when you're having tech problems). Either of these approaches will terminate your session and prevent further billing for that session. | |
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| Is there any way that the chathost can see me while I watch the chathost? | |
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| Although you do not need a webcam to spend time with an ForumXL Video Chathost or to enter any ForumXL video chatroom, the answer is YES -- there is a way for the chathost to see you while you are in that host's chatroom. Here's how it works: You must already be present in the chathost's fee-based live video chat room. You must be an ForumXL ClubVIP-level member. You must have previously downloaded, installed and must be running ifCam version 0.96a or higher. (Yes, this is the same software that chathosts use!). If everything is working right, you should be able to see your own webcam image in the ifCam application, at the same time that you are conversing with the chathost. (If you cannot see your own image in your ifCam window, please check your webcam documentation or contact your webcam hardware/software vendor.) For the chathost to be able to see your live webcam, you must not be behind a firewall or proxy server (if issues, check with your ISP). To see you, the chathost must click their "Other Options" link under their webcam window, and needs to know both your screenname and your "port number" ... the default is 8080. (see more below) Once the above conditions are met, that chathost may, if he or she desires, see your webcam image while you interact live in the fee-based video chatroom. The chathost is under no obligation to watch you, however, so remember to say "Please"! (Technical note: the ifCam application has a default port setting of 8080. We recommend not to change that setting unless advised to by your ISP). | |
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