May 2011 Mandatory Update.

The latest mandatory update to Nefsis was released on 7th May (Build 380), which had to be downloaded and installed prior to joining any online meetings. This was followed up by an optional update (Build 386 - 10th June) that helps address a couple of problems that were seen on a number of system configurations. If you think any of the points below might apply to you – be sure to update your Nefsis software to the latest release.

• You can’t hear other people in meetings and you don’t have any microphone/headset attached to your computer.
• You deploy the Nefsis Contact List via an MSI (IT Administrators only)
• You use Windows XP.

If any of the points above apply to you, update Nefsis by simply joining a conference in the usual way, click on the application menu (the “n” icon in the top-left corner) and click Check for Updates. You can verify what version you are on by clicking on “About Nefsis” instead of “Check for Updates”.

Nefsis Update (Build 380)

On the face of things, the mandatory update on the 7th May might have seemed no different to previous releases. However, most of the improvements and tweaks can be found under-the-hood.

New Audio Engine
The major new feature included in the recent release is the audio engine, which has been improved and now sports a shiny-new echo canceller.

One of the most noticeable changes - you’ll hear – is the lack of ‘white-noise’ which was sometimes evident when using the older echo canceller. So we hope it is now less distracting and intrusive. Along with the new echo canceller, the audio engine improvements have focused on making it less susceptible to network performance fluctuations; in turn offering a more stable audio channel for each participant.

Updated System Ratings
Admittedly not the most enticing of features, but the lonesome “System Rating” has been revised to reflect the the continuing availability more powerful computers. All well and good we hear you say – but what does that mean for me...?

Well, the little blue-bars located towards the bottom of the conference govern what Nefsis can usefully achieve with your computer (without pushing it too far). So for instance:

• 3 out of 5 System Rating
  This would restrict some higher webcam-resolutions and frame-rates.
• 5 out of 5 System Rating
  This would enable all available resolutions presented by the webcam and all available frame-rates.

All of this is in a bid to avoid overworking your computer and potentially making it unstable. As the last thing we’d want is for you to suddenly get disconnected from a meeting because your computer was pushed to the limit and crashed!

Internet Explorer 9 and Firefox 4
We’ve now added support for Internet Explorer 9 and Firefox 4 web browsers.

Anyone using Internet Explorer 9 to join Nefsis conferences will now receive an orange “Launch Nefsis” button to click on prior to joining. As for Firefox 4 users, you will be presented with a plugin to install prior to joining a meeting for the first time.

Bug-Squashing!
Sometimes the odd bug or two creeps in without us immediately reaching for the fly swatter and bug spray. So in the new mandatory release (Build 380), we’ve been busy tying up a few loose ends to make Nefsis better than ever. We’re so honest, here’s our full release history: http://www.nefsis.com/default/update.html

Nefsis Dedicated Server Update (Build 384)

For customers that have a Nefsis Dedicated Server installation (i.e. on-premise server[s] deployment) the Build 384 release will add the same features as described above for the SaaS Build 380/386. You will be receiving information regarding the update within the next day or so.