The Ekiga User Interface

The Ekiga user interface has several tabs available. The first tab is Contacts, the second is Dialpad and the last one is Call History. In addition, there is a Call Panel tab available, which displays pictures and videos of local or remote webcams.

Figure 12.1. Ekiga User Interface

Ekiga User Interface

The user interface has different modes. To switch between views, use the tab line. By default, Ekiga opens the Contacts tab. There, a local addressbook lets you quickly open connections to often-used numbers. To get a full view with webcam support and audio controls, activate the Call Panel with View+Show Call Panel.

At the bottom of the Call Panel, there are icons for several controls like Audio Settings, Video Settings, Video Display and Hold Call. All icons provide a tool tip that is activated by the mouse pointer hovering over the icon. Some settings like the Audio settings may only be changed during a phone call.

Many of the functions of Ekiga are available with keyboard shortcuts. Table 12.1, “Keyboard Shortcuts for Ekiga” summarizes the most important ones.

Table 12.1. Keyboard Shortcuts for Ekiga

Ctrl Sequence

Description

Ctrl+O

Initiate a call with the current number.

Esc

Hang up.

Ctrl+N

Add a contact to your address book.

Ctrl+B

Open the Address Book dialog.

H

Hold the current call.

T

Transfer the current call to another party.

M

Suspend the audio stream of the current call.

P

Suspend the video stream of the current call.

Ctrl+W

Close the Ekiga user interface.

Ctrl+Q

Quit Ekiga.

Ctrl+E

Start the account manager.

Ctrl+J

Activate the Call Panel on the main user interface.

Ctrl++

Zoom in to the picture from the Web cam.

Ctrl+-

Zoom out on the picture from the Web cam.

Ctrl+0

Return to the normal size of the Web cam display.

F11

Use full screen for the Web cam.