Participant Guided Tour

Viewing Requirements for Knowledge Objects and PDF Files

The knowledge objects require Microsoft Windows Media Player version 6.4 or higher, which can be downloaded from http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/default.asp. These knowledge objects should be viewed at a monitor resolution of 1024 x 768 or higher.

PDF files require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be downloaded from the Adobe website at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html.

Note: It is important to note that some topics require IP authentication. If you are not on a MOREnet-supplied IP, you may not be able to perform some of the exercises. Please let your session leader know how you are connected (for example, through MOREnet, private Internet service provider, etc.).

Participant Guidelines

• Please read this document completely before attending the session.
• For an optimal e-Conference experience, equipment setup should be completed at least one business day before your session.
• If this is your first experience with Centra, you should complete the tutorial at least four hours prior to your session.
• When attending, you should enter the session at least 15 to 30 minutes before the session start time.

Equipment Setup (one business day before your session)

Before the session you should have the following equipment installed on your machine. The optional equipment is not necessary, but enhances the experience. If you are unfamiliar with these items or their setup, contact your system administrator.

• Speakers - mandatory
• Microphone - mandatory for two-way audio
• Webcam - optional

Attend a Session

Using System Check, Tutorial and Help (4 hours before the session)

1. Open a browser.
2. Go to http://econ.more.net (opens new browser window).

On the left side of the screen pictured above you have a public navigation bar, which allows you to view public recorded events without having to log in. The public navigation bar contains links to other pages.

Two of the links in the public navigation bar point to other pages that users can visit without logging in:

• Public Events
• Public Recordings

The other link in the public navigation bar provides a shortcut to a page that users cannot visit without first logging in:

• My Schedule

On the right of the e-Conferencing banner:

• System Check ensures your machine meets the specifications for this software.
• Tutorial gives brief instructions on how to use the Centra tool.

Running System Check lets you optimize your computer for participating in a Centra event. The System Check wizard will ask a series of questions and return information about your computer system and network connection.

1. Click System Check (opens another browser window).
2. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the System Check.

For more information about System Check, view the System Check Knowledge Object (opens another browser window).

The tutorial is a great place to become familiar with the product before a live session, to enhance your experience and ensure a successful session.

1. Click Tutorial (opens another browser window).
2. Click Symposium. The Welcome to Symposium screen opens and provides instructions.
3. When you are finished, close the tutorial window and return to My Schedule page.

After logging in, online Help is always available from the My Schedule page and from the Help menu in the Centra tool.

1. Click Help on the My Schedule page (or in the Centra tool, click on the Help menu, then Contents and Search) (opens another browser window).
2. Click Participant.
3. Click on the item of interest in the Table of Contents to display content on the right side of the screen.

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Attending the Session (15 to 30 minutes before the session)

Using your case sensitive user ID and password and the specific URL sent to you for each event, you can log in to attend an e-Conferencing event.

Your name is displayed in the upper left under the Centra banner. In the vertical menu, My Schedule shows the current sessions in which you are enrolled. Note that you may need to click the Ongoing tab to see the session in which you are enrolled. It is important to click Log Out after every session. Do not just close the browser or use the browser's Back button.

You may wish to print the Getting Started Quick Reference Card (PDF file; 200 KB, opens another browser window) to refer to as you review the Centra tool.

1. Click My Schedule.
2. Find the appropriate session.
3. You can view the details of a session by clicking the Symposium, Conference or Meeting symbol next to the event name.
   
   

   

4. Click Attend.
   If you have attended a Centra session before on the same computer, you will automatically enter the session. The session launch will begin in the same window before opening the event in a new window. This process avoids conflicts with most pop-up blockers.
5. Inside the session, a series of wizards will help set up your system to test the volume from the speaker and to the microphone. It also allows you to select speaker or headset mode. If you are in an open area, we suggest using headsets.

For more information about using the Audio Wizard and Video Wizard, view Knowledge Objects (Windows Media files; open another browser window):

• Using the Audio Wizard
• Using the Video Wizard

Getting Started

After you have gone through the wizards, you are ready to begin the session. The wording in the lower left corner, highlighted in yellow, displays Pre-Session mode. You may want to take advantage of the tips shown on the Getting Started screen at this time. If you reviewed the tutorial, this screen should look familiar.

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Participant Interface Basics

You may wish to review the Centra Basics Guide (PDF file; 770 KB, opens another browser window) for reference as you review the Centra tool.

Each e-Conferencing tool has different icons available.

Attending a Web Seminar Event

When you receive notification of an upcoming Web Seminar event, you must go to the Registration webpage by following the URL provided. Provide your registration information and fill out the registration survey, if one is provided.

After filling out the registration page, you will receive an e-mail message that contains information about the seminar:

• a link to add the event to your Microsoft Outlook calendar
• a link directly to the event

After the session has begun, if you need to leave the session temporarily, please use the door icon (Symposium and eMeeting only) at the top to indicate you have stepped out. Clicking the door icon will gray out your name so the presenter and other participants know you have left the session. When you re-enter, simply click the door icon again.

If you need to leave permanently, please click Log Out.

Useful Notes

• The presenter allows you to speak by granting you the microphone. A Microphone icon appears next to your name in the Participants list.
• Raise your hand for questions by clicking the Hand icon.
• To use the microphone, hold down the CTRL key on the keyboard while speaking. It is useful if you press it a few seconds before you begin speaking and for a second afterwards because there is a small latency time in the audio transfer.
• If you do not have a microphone, use the keyboard to type your question into the Text Chat box (the keyboard icon at the top).
• Talking and chatting with others before the session begins is allowed and encouraged. After the session begins, this feature is removed unless the presenter grants you the microphone.
• When the session begins, the right side of the screen fills with the presentation for the class. The presenter's voice should be clear. The bottom left corner displays In-Session, highlighted in green. On the left, you will see the presenter's name, the list of participants by name and the agenda the presenter will follow. The session leader will ask a few questions and ensure everyone is ready to go.

Participant Reference Resources

• Symposium Participant Quick Reference Card (PDF file; 222 KB, opens another browser window)
• Conference Participant Quick Reference Card (PDF file; 220 KB, opens another browser window)
• eMeeting Participant Quick Reference Card (PDF file; 222 KB, opens another browser window)

Learn more about the Centra Participant Interface by viewing these Knowledge Objects (Windows Media files; open another browser window):

• Symposium Participant
• Conference Participant
• eMeeting Participant
• Attend an eMeeting
• Text Chat

Glossary

• Centra's Glossary (PDF file; 181 KB)
• MOREnet e-Conferencing Service Glossary

Please let us know if you have comments about this guided tour or the e-Conferencing experience.