Tech Check

What you need to participate in a PublicDecisions online event . . .

System Requirements

We use Microsoft® Live Meeting as our platform for most events. For general system requirements, click here.

You'll access a Live Meeting session one of two ways:

• Live Meeting Client (preferred). This requires you to download and install a plug-in prior to your session. (Click here for the plug-in. Save to desktop, double-click to install. Click here to verify installation.) When you join a session, a popup will ask you to launch the application. For audio (see below), you'll use either Live Meeting audio or telephone.
• Live Meeting Web Access. This requires no plug-in. You'll be asked to "accept and use" the platform when you access the session link in your browser. Use this method only if your organization won't allow you to install the client plug-in on your computer. With this option, you must use telephone audio (see below).

In either case, you'll need to enable JavaScript and cookies. We've also found that Live Meeting works best with Internet Explorer (6.0 or higher). Other browsers can be used, though some features may not fully function.

Audio

You'll access the audio portion one of two ways:

• Live Meeting audio (preferred). The Live Meeting platform includes voice-over-internet capability, but you must install the client plug-in (discussed above) to use it. This option requires a duplex headset that plugs into your computer, or a freestanding microphone and speakers. This option does not work on a Mac.
• Telephone. This includes a landline, mobile phone, or internet telephony service such as Skype or Google Voice. To use this option, dial the number we provide and enter the passcode. In most instances this will be a US toll number, so long-distance, international toll, or SkypeOut charges may apply.

In either case, we encourage the use of a headset to avoid neck strain, to keep your hands free for other tasks, and to minimize background noise. (Always mute your microphone when not actively speaking.)

For programs where we allow group registration, you must use Live Meeting audio. We've found that telephone audio (e.g., a speakerphone in a conference room) creates excessive "feedback" and degrades sound quality.

Second Life® Events

To participate in a Second Life event, you must download and install the Second Life program on your computer, establish a Second Life account, and create an avatar. It's all free.

We cannot overemphasize the importance of doing this well in advance of the event. You may need your IT department's help to install the software, and novices may find it challenging to learn how to move around in Second Life. Some practice time before the event may be helpful.

Before registering for an event in Second Life, please make sure you can access the SL website. SL is considered a social networking site, and some employers block access to it.

Need an orientation to Second Life? This self-paced tutorial from Virtual Ability is easy to complete, and you can do it anytime (after creating an account and installing Second Life). The link will open a new browser window, where you'll click "Visit this location." That will launch the Second Life application and you'll be prompted to log in. When you teleport to Virtual Ability, follow the arrows on the footpath. Signs and directions will guide you.

Not quite ready to go "in world"? Learn more about how to use Second Life with these two user guides:

• If you installed the newest SL viewer (version 2.0), click here.
• If you're using the older edition (version 1.23), click here (may open only in Internet Explorer)

Time Zones

Our audience is worldwide, so we schedule events to be accessible whether you're in Louisville or London, Winnipeg or Wollongong.

Start times are shown in two time zones, Eastern US/Canada (EST or EDT) and Greenwich Mean Time/Universal Time (GMT/UTC). Times are based on a 24-hour clock (e.g., 15:00 means 3:00 pm). It's your responsibility to determine your local time with respect to GMT for the event date. The World Clock Meeting Planner, a free service, may help. Please note that depending on the time of year, GMT is not necessarily the current time in London.

Events conducted in Second Life may also be designated in SLT (Second Life Time).

Telephone-Only Programs

PublicDecisions Book Talks and other selected programs may be conducted entirely by phone, in which case only the Telephone paragraph under Audio, above, applies.

Email Addresses and Spam Filters

To register and participate in a PublicDecisions event, we must be able to communicate with you via email. To avoid problems with spam filters, please add the following domains to the safe senders list in your computer's email program and in any separately hosted spam filter (e.g., Postini). If you're in a corporate or government office, you may need your network administrator's assistance.

• publicdecisions.com
• aitsafe.com (relates to our "shopping cart")

Second Life is a registered trademark of Linden Research, Inc.

Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

Mac is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc.