FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions

Is it realy free?	Any rules here?	Calls any telephone?
Conference Calls?	Works on Macintosh?	What about Privacy?
Suitable for Children?	Where is buddy list?	Chat list vs CQP number?
Do I need a web cam?	Future plans?	What's new?
Click here to find answers to problems

Yes. CQPhone is completely free for personal use. There is no spyware and no advertising. It does not connect to the public telephone system, so there will be no charges on your telephone bill. All those telephone sounds are just sound effects. If you wish to use CQPhone for commercial or business use, please contact douglas@cqphone.com

Yes. Please do not post advertising, links, slogans, opinions or obscenities into the public chat lists. Never post any CQPhone number (not even your own) into the public chat lists. Be nice. Please do not annoy or harass other people. If someone does not answer your call, don't keep repeatedly calling her. People who break these rules may be permanently banned from accessing the server. If someone is breaking these rules, please report them to abuse@cqphone.com

No. CQPhone does not connect to the public telephone system. It is used for computer-to-computer internet calls between users of CQPhone.

No. CQPhone is designed for one-to-one chat.

No. CQPhone requires any version of Windows.

CQPhone uses a direct peer-to-peer connection between the two computers engaged in a conversation. The voice, video and typing are not saved anywhere. Incoming picture files are saved to C:\Program Files\CQPhone\pictures\. When you delete pictures, remember to also empty your recycle bin. Whenever CQPhone is running, your IP address is updated onto the central server a few times per hour. Tiny pings are sent out 3 times a minute to assist in firewall transversal. These pings are not received anywhere. The CQPhone server ensures your current IP address is available for the internal workings of the program. Your IP address is never shown to the public. Your CQPhone number is never disclosed to people you meet using the public chat list.

No. Children should not use CQPhone except under adult supervision. There is a risk on meeting weird people in the public chat lists. Always be careful about giving personal information to strangers.

There is no a buddy list. The public chat lists are designed for meeting strangers. These lists show people who currently have that list open and are willing to chat with strangers. If you wish to chat only with your buddies, give them your CQPhone number so they can call you without using the public chat list. Add your buddies to your Redial List. Future versions of CQPhone may contain a true "buddy list".

Your CQPhone number is a private, permanent number assigned to your computer. Do not give this number to strangers because they will always be able to call you. The public chat list is designed for the purpose of meeting strangers. When chats are started from the chat list, the CQPhone number is not shown to either party. You may choose any nickname whenever you enter a public chat list. When you close the chat list, all calls from the chat list are immediately blocked. When your chat list is closed, the only people who may call you are those who know your CQP number.

The use of web cam is optional. If you don't have a web cam (or don't want to use it) you can still view your partner's web cam.

We have many ideas for new features and improvments. For example:

• Additional hot keys to assist blind people who cannot use the mouse.
• A special phone number to call for testing your CQPhone.
• A server-side answering machine will take voice messages while your computer is shut off.
• A true buddy list.
• Additional program skins.
• Private passworded rooms and user-created rooms.
• Conference calls with several people chatting at once.

Version 2.4 - released April 12, 2005

• Solved problem with version 2.3 causing system freezing on some computers.

Version 2.3 - released March 11, 2005

• Solved problem where voice sometimes went silent for ten seconds.
• Changed voice so one socket in one thread is used for both send and receive. This might help people who had problems with one-way voice.
• Voice now silently stops sending while the destination has muted her speakers. This will save bandwidth.
• Video program now shows as "CQVideo" in the firewall list, instead of "Video Supoort for CQPhone".
• Minor changes to socket binding might help people who were having problem receiving calls.
• Increased timeout so picture sharing will not abort on very slow connections.

Version 2.2 - released February 4, 2005

• Many chat lists (rooms) were added (example "Amateur Radio").
• Scroll bar added to chat lists.
• Chat list now appears in sorted order.
• Viewing of full screen video automatically sets remote cam to higher resolution.
• Program Preferences now defaults to NOT autostart on bootup.
• Version number is now stored in registry instead of hard-coded into the program.

Version 2.0 - released January 27, 2005

• No need to configure ports for Windows firewalls and most routers.
• Video is clearer, has double size and full screen view.
• Video uses motion detection to reduce bandwidth.
• Video has been entirely rewritten to avoid crashes.
• Voice has minor changes to increase quality and performance.
• Help File has been updated.