A Sound Idea

Novell Cool Solutions: Feature

Digg This - Slashdot This Posted: 4 Jun 1999

Have you ever just wanted to scream at that turkey who sent you an especially stupid e-mail message? Probably we all have. Now you can! Well, you could; in truth we wouldn't recommend it. But you can prepare a verbal message right from your GroupWise Mail To: dialog box and send it just as easily as you can a written message. Here's how:

1. In the GroupWise client, open a new mail message, specifying recipients and subject as usual.
   
   
2. Notice the little sound icon in the lower right corner of the Mail To dialog box.
   
   
   
   If you already know what it's for, raise your hand. Congratulations! You're smarter than we were.
   
   
3. Drag the sound icon and drop it somewhere outside the text boxes. Your cursor will let you know if it's a "legal" place.
   
   Up pops the Windows Sound Recorder where you can record a sound object (.WAV file) attachment to your GroupWise message.
   
   If you don't already know how to use the Windows Sound Recorder, click Help > Help Topics in the Sound Recorder dialog box for assistance. It's easy.
   
   
4. Record your message, putting all the gusto or tender feelings you want into your spoken words.
   
   
5. In the Sound Recorder dialog box, click File > Exit & Return to GroupWise.
   
   
6. Send your message as usual.
   
   Recipients can just double-click the sound object attachment to hear your message as if you were standing there talking to them (or a reasonable facsimile thereof, depending on the quality of their computer's speakers).

Oh, By the Way...

You probably already figured out there are some hardware and software requirements beyond GroupWise for this sound system to work. You need the following installed and working on your computer:

• Microphone
• Speakers (external speakers are better, but your computer's internal speakers will work OK)
• Sound card
• Windows Sound Recorder

If you can see a microphone and speakers attached to your computer, chances are pretty good you have a sound card. If you're not sure whether or not you've got the Windows Sound Recorder, click Startup > Programs > Accessories > Multimedia > see if Sound Recorder is on the list. If so, you're in great shape. If not, consult your nearest Windows multimedia guru.

Your recipients will need the same setup, minus the microphone (unless, of course, they want to talk back to you).

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