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What is Our-FamilySpace? 
Our-FamilySpace is the complete web communications solution that enables live online visitation, and co-parent collaboration, allowing parent and children to effectively share a wide range of content, live and recorded video, audio, and multiuser text chat. Using the rich media advantages of Adobe Flash technology, Our-FamilySpace delivers an engaging and user-friendly online communication experience.
What are the computer system requirements for Our-FamilySpace?
| Windows 98 SE, 2000, XP |
Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher |
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Mozilla Firefox 1.5 |
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Netscape Navigator 6.0 or higher |
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AOL 9 |
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| Mac OS X 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 |
Safari 1.1 or higher |
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Mozilla Firefox 1.5 |
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| Linux |
Mozilla Firefox 1.5 |
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| Solaris |
Mozilla 1.7 |
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| Additional Requirements |
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Adobe's Macromedia Flash Player 6.0.79 or higher
Adobe's Macromedia Flash Player 7 or higher for Linux and Solaris
Minimum bandwidth requirement is 56 kb/sec |
Do I need to download software to use Our-FamilySpace?
No all you need to have is the Flash plug-in for your Web browser. This is almost always installed on new computer with the operating system. The Flash Player is installed on 98% of Internet-enabled desktops worldwide and on a wide range of popular devices. View the latest Flash Player statistics. If you find that you don't have the flash plug-in please click on the icon below.
Is Our-FamilySpace secure?
All communications between the AOur-FamilySpace Server and client machines can be protected using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption and are DCTS JITC certified. This ensures the secure delivery of data, voice, and video between the client and Our-FamilySpace.
What do I need to use Our-FamilySpace?
How do I enable cookies in my browser?
To enable cookies for Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.x and above:
- Select Internet Options from the Tools menu.
- Then go to Privacy (tabs).
- Adjust preset settings so that cookies are enabled or click on Advanced to customise the settings.
- Then click OK for each window and click Refresh on the browser menu when you return to the webpage
To enable cookies for Netscape 6.x and FireFox:
- Select Preferences on the Edit menu.
- Click on the arrow next to Advanced in the left hand menu and click Cookies.
- Select Enable all cookies or Enable cookies for the originating website only.
- Then click OK and click Reload on the browser menu when you return to the webpage.
To enable cookies for Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x:
- Select "Internet Options" from the Tools menu.
- Click on the "Security" tab.
- Click "Custom Level" button.
- Scroll down to the "Cookies" section.
- Set "Allow cookies that are stored on your computer" to "Enable".
- Set "Allow per-session cookies" to "Enable".
- Click "OK".
Live Video Conferencing? How? Why?
Video Conferencing is teleconferencing in which video images and audio are transmitted among the various geographically separated participants in a meeting. Originally done using analog video and satellite links, today video conferencing uses compressed digital images transmitted over wide area networks or the Internet. This means that two people in two different locations may communicate in real time by voice and video. This type of virtual visitation does require additional equipment, however, including a high-speed connection (like DSL or a Cable Modem), a webcam, a headset, a microphone. Once these are in place, you can login to Our-FamilySpace and have a completely interactive video phone call where you can SEE as well as hear each other with real video that is clear and audio that is as good as a telephone call. Our-FamilySpace uses the latest and greatest technology to make this happen. There is no software to install on the user’s computer all of the encoding/decoding takes place on our server. Below is a screen capture of a video conferencing taking place on Our-FamilySpace.
Our-FamilySpace allow parents to interact with their children in many ways that are preferable to the other methods. By video conference or "Virtual Visitation", a parent can see the subtle changes in their children as they grow and can see their expressions and their emotions. This type of interaction are so much better than the typical phone call. Through "Virtual Visitation" a parent may even assist their children with their homework, spelling words, play games or appreciate their latest art project.
If you decide to include "Virtual Visitation" as a part of your parenting time order or if you're seeking an order of the court imposing that obligation after divorce, you may wish to include language that is specific and identifies:
- The precise form(s) of "Virtual Visitation" that you will want to use even including what program or software. i.e. Our-FamilySpace or MSN, Yahoo, email and so on.
- The equipment necessary including both hardware and the type of Internet connection. i.e. DSL or a Cable Modem, a webcam, a headset, a microphone.
- Who pays for the Internet service or equipment. If you believe there may be an objection to the cost, consider offering to purchase the equipment yourself for the other parent's use.
- The Schedule for the virtual visitation including the specific days of the week and times of day. If equipment malfunctions or breaks, what time period is allowed for computer repair before court sanctions are triggered. If you believe there may be an objection to the cost of getting the equipment fixed, consider offering to have the equipment fixed yourself for the other parent.
Stream Audio & Video What is the quality like?
The quality of streamed audio and video depends on what type of Internet connection you have. If our users access Live Video Conferencing on a high speed Internet connection then the quality will be very good. Audio will be nearly as good as FM radio. Streaming video is a little more challenging and we offer a setting that will allow any connection. This setting will configure the stream for you if you have a T1 or dialup access. If you have a high speed Internet connection the stream of video and audio will preform ver well. If you do not have a high speed Internet connection, you should be aware that you will loose quality if it is streamed over a modem (telephone) line. The image below will reflect the quality between a modem (Dialup) connection and a cable modem (high speed Internet connection). As you can see the image on the left is on the slower connection blury and blocky pixels. The image on the right is on the faster connection.
How? What? Why? Where? Evertything Webcams...
Buying a Webcam is an important process, especially if you're going to be using it for Our-FamilySpace Here are some questions you should ask when buying a new Webcam. One of the first considerations when buying a webcam is to ensure that your computer meets the minimum hardware and memory requirements. This is particularly important if you have an older computer.
What resolution does it have? Resolution is measured in pixels, and the higher the resolution, the better the image quality. You want people to be able to see you clearly, so you'll want a good resolution rate. Common Webcam resolutions are 320X240 and 640X480 either are supported on Our-FamilySpace.
What is its frame rate? The frame rate is expressed in frames per second (FPS), with common frame rates for webcams at 15 FPS and 30 FPS. Higher frame rates deliver better video quality with less image flicker, although a higher frame rate can also take longer to transmit across an internet connection. In the end, your Internet connection really decides the frame rate of a Webcam, but when you're buying one, shoot for a frame rate of 30 frames per second. Thirty frames per second is the norm and most Webcams can handle this rate with no problem, but may be priced higher.
How will my Internet connection factor in? If you have a high speed Internet connection, you're going to be able to get more frames per second. With a slower connection (such as dial-up), it will not be as fast and it will drop frames. You should check your upload speed of your Internet connection before you buy a cam. For example, to get an image of approximately 15 frames per second, you need an upload speed of at least 256 kbps. So, just keep that in mind.
How will the age of my computer affect the Webcam? If you have an older computer, you may want to think about spending more money for a Webcam. The reason for this is that the image processing will be done in the Webcam and not on the computer. That makes a big difference.
Auto Focus vs. Manual? Some manual focus rings are easier to adjust than others, so it's well worth your time to try them out at an electronics or computer hardware store. Most of the time you will only set the focus once and forget about it since the cam will be in the same place as will the user. Auto focus is a nice feature and will add to the cost.
What about light sensitivity? Higher end Webcams will perform better in lower light, but the others will work just as well in more lighting. You will just need to keep in mind what type of lighting you have on when you're using your cam.
What about prices? As you've already read, I've mentioned some higher prices for higher end Web cams, better images, glass lens, etc. Also, if you have an older computer, you may need a higher priced camera. Webcams can run anywhere from $10 to $150 or more. It all just depends on what you're willing to pay and what you want to do with your cam. Before you go out and buy one, write down some features you would like and then look for them when you get to the store.
What about a microphone? Although many Webcams support audio, they don't always include a microphone. Some have an integrated microphone, while others use a headset. The headset provides freedom of movement, but many users find it more cumbersome than a built-in microphone. The quality of supplied microphones is sometimes poor, but you can always buy a better microphone if audio quality is a major issue.
Where can I buy a Webcam? Wal-Mart honestly... You really don't need to go anywhere else really unless you want to. I took some pictures at a local WalMart to give you an idea on price. We actually tested the high end and low end of the listed Webcams. The higher priced one did preform well however the lower priced one did what was expected and was fine.
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