Audio & Web Conferencing Tips
Pre-meeting Checklist
Over the years we’ve heard some interesting stories from our clients about the types of distractions they run into while conducting a conference, meeting or large scale event. In fact, Encounter has created an annual event where we showcase some of the funniest, and often avoidable, mistakes, blunders and goofs that can railroad your most serious presentation.
To help you avoid those embarrassing moments, we’ve created a checklist of important things to consider before you host your next sales demonstration, marketing event, collaborative session or company wide meeting.
Download the checklist PDF here.
Pre-meeting Systems Tests
In order to successfully enter most web conference meetings, your Internet browser needs to have certain features enabled. You can test if your browser will allow you to attend a Live Meeting or a ShareItNow meeting using these links.
Live Meeting System Test
ShareItNow System Test
Pop-up Blockers
Pop-up blockers are a necessity for anyone surfing the web these days. Not having some sort of pop-up blocker means a constant barrage of advertisements. But pop-up blockers can also get prevent you from seeing legitimate content. When it comes to Encounter’s web conferencing tools, there are a couple of things affected by some pop-up blockers.
- The “Join Now” button for a scheduled ShareItNow meeting can fail to do anything when clicked
- The detailed view of Audio Control Panel can be prevented from opening on the Mini Control Panel and on the Open Control Panel button on the Meeting Page
There are a couple of solutions:
- Disable the pop-up blocker. This is easier said than done, given that there are more and more programs with pop-up blockers built-in. A user may know of and disable one, only to encounter another blocker at work behind the scenes. Here is a list (not exhaustive) of the places where pop-up blocker options may reside.
- Google Toolbar
- Yahoo Toolbar
- ISP’s such as Earthlink & AOL
- In Tools > Internet Options within Internet Explorer, Service Pack 2
- As an option within Norton Protection Programs
- If the issue is ShareItNow, go around the pop-up blocker by starting an instant session. But remember that this will be a different URL from the scheduled meeting, so all participants and the presenter will have to “move” to the instant session URL.
One way to test if pop-up blockers are at work is the www.popuptest.com website. If you get pop-ups here, and you’re still having trouble with Encounter windows opening, this would be a good time to contact customer care. You could possibly have a Java issue.
