Webinar FAQs
The Webinar Series from the DBTAC: Southeast ADA Center uses a fully-accessible webinar system that features a PowerPoint presentation (slides) given by one or more presenters and a text chat area for questions.
Note: We understand that the software for the webinar may present a learning curve for many of our participants. To facilitate your participation in the webinar, we have developed this FAQ to answer the most common questions.
FAQ Index
- Installation & Getting Started
- How do I install the Plug-In?
- How do I log in as a participant?
- I've installed the Plug-In, but I can't connect!
- What is the web client?
- Problems With the Audio
- I can't hear anything!
- What do I do if my speakers do not work?
- People cannot hear me!
- How do I adjust volume levels?
- Using Text Chat
1. Installation & Getting Started
1.a. How do I install the Plug-In to participate in the Webinar (Option #1)?
Complete installation instructions are available on the "How to participate in the Webinar".
1.b. How do I log in?
Login procedure is very simple. Once installation is completed, you may enter the conference room. A new window will open with two fields, one for name and one for password.
Type your first and last name into the "Name:" field. Leave the "Password:" field blank. Select the "Log On" button. The conference room will open automatically to the first page of the webinar.
1.c. I've installed the IDEAL Plug-In, but I can't connect!
If you have installed the Plug-In without issues but still cannot connect to the webinar room, you may be experiencing a problem with your Internet connection. Not all connections are created equally. Even if you can access other websites, there may be a problem with the speed or reliability of your Internet connection, or a problem accessing the remote web server.
Echo.exe is a utility designed to help you track down problems with your connection and is available from the IDEAL website at:
Download and install Echo.exe utility.
Use the Echo utlity if you are having difficulty connecting to the webinar room. Please be aware that echo.exe will not diagnose or fix any hardware or software related issues on your computer, but it will allow you to see whether or not your Internet connection is the problem.
You may receive a pop-up security warning when attempting to run Echo.exe. This is a normal security precaution when running executables from the Internet, and you may ignore it by selecting the 'Run' button on the pop-up box.
Note: Connection quality is probably outside your control, but this utility will allow you to diagnose whether problems are a result of a poor Internet connection or some other fault. To test the Internet connection, select the 'Test Connection' button (Alt+C) and review the status result. Then, click the 'Upload and Download Test' (Alt+U). The results of both should be "Excellent" or "Good". If any other result is reported, you are probably experiencing problems related to a poor Internet connection.
Unfortunately, Internet connection issues are one of the most difficult hurdles to overcome. Most users who experience these problems will be unable to participate unless provided with an alternative means of communication, or an archive at the conclusion of the presentation.
1.d. What is the Web Client (option #2)?
The Web Client is an alternative means of accessing the webinar for users who cannot install the standard IDEAL Plug-In. In order to hear audio through the web client, you must have Adobe Flash Player installed on your computer. For instructions on how to install Adobe Flash Player, visit the manufacturer's Installation Instructions.
Login is similar to the standard method. A new window will open with two fields, one for name and one for password. Enter your first and last name into the "Name" field, and leave the "Password" field blank. A new browser window will open and display the presentation.
Note: The Web Client has limited features, and you should never use the Web Client if you are a presenter of moderator.
2. Problems With the Audio
2.a. I can't hear anything!
Many users, even those who install the web conference software early, neglect to test their sound functionality before the day of the presentation. This makes it very difficult to participate, and obtain help in addressing their issue. Luckily, IDEAL conferencing system provides a sound testing utility that will help to ensure that the hardware is functioning properly.
Download and install the Echo.exe utility
Use the Echo utlity if you are having difficulty with your audio. Please be aware that echo.exe will not diagnose or fix any hardware or software related issues on your computer, but it will allow you to see whether or not the speakers and microphone are working at all.
You may receive a pop-up security warning when attempting to run Echo.exe. This is a normal security precaution when running executables from the Internet, and you may ignore it by selecting the 'Run' button on the pop-up box.
Running echo.exe will open a new window with three important features:
- Test Speakers
- Test Microphone
- Test Internet Connection
To test the speakers, select either the 'Play Text' or 'Play Wave' buttons. If you do not use a mouse or pointing device, the shortcut keys for these functions are Alt+T and Alt+W. If you receive audio output from either function, the speakers are working. Take a moment to adjust the volume via the physical volume knob on the speakers or through volume control software.
2.b. What do I do if my speakers do not work?
Speaker control software varies on each computer, but there are some common functions you can use to diagnose the problem:- Ensure that the speakers are plugged in, turned on, and the volume is turned up. This may seem obvious, but you would be surprised how often this fixes the problem!
- For Windows users: There should be a volume icon near the clock in the lower right of the Windows task bar. Double-click this icon to bring up the volume control properties for the computer. Verify that the volume sliders are all at maximum, and that nothing is muted. Muted speakers are represented by a red circle with a slash through on top of the speaker icon. If the icon is normal, the sound is active.
- If using the IDEAL Plug-In, a third volume slider is present in the IDEAL conference room, located in the lower right just below the list of attendees. Ensure that the volume slider is all the way to the right, and that the sound is not muted. When the speaker icon is highlighted in red, the speaker is muted. To turn off the mute feature, simply select the icon a second time.
If none of the above solutions allow you to receive sound, you may be experiencing a more complex hardware problem with sound drivers or faulty speakers. There is little you can do in this instance beyond other than speak with an in-person technician at your place of employment. Instances such as these are why all presentations are recorded and archived for later access.
2.c. People cannot hear me!
For the majority of our presentations, a microphone will not be necessary, and you will communicate with presenters and moderators via text chat.
Note: If you are a presenter, a working microphone is required. You should always test your microphone ahead of time. Mic problems are very common, and microphone quality varies greatly. Doing a mic test with every presenter is strongly recommended.
2.d. How do I adjust volume levels?
Note: Volume control properties for software and hardware vary widely. If all of the volume control properties are correct and you still cannot receive sound, you may be experiencing a hardware failure and will require in-person assistance.
If using the IDEAL Plug-In, the volume for both speakers and microphones is controlled using two sliders in the bottom right corner of the IDEAL conference window.
The top slider controls the speaker volume. If you can hear sound but the volume is low, drag the slider all the way to the right. If this does not increase the volume level, you may have specialized software for your sound card that must be turned up outside of the conference room. Consult your hardware manufacturer's instructions for assistance.
The bottom slider controls the microphone volume, and works just like the top slider. Drag the slider all the way to the right if people are having difficulty hearing you.
Volume control has one additional function. Selecting either the speaker or microphone icons will highlight the icon in red. When highlighted, the function is muted. To turn off the mute feature, simply select the icon a second time.
3. Using Text Chat
3.a. How do I send text chat?
IDEAL conferencing provides a text chat window similar to most standard instant messenging services. To send text to the room, simply type it into the input pane located below the text chat log, then press enter. Your message will transmit out to the entire conference room.
3.b. How do I change font size and color of text chat?
If using the IDEAL Plug-In, you can control the font, size and color of the text that is transmitted. These options can all be controlled using the buttons located just below the text chat log.
Sponsor of Webinar System
The DBTAC Southeast ADA Center Webinar Series uses the fully-accessible IDEAL Conference® sponsored by the IDEAL Group, Inc. To conduct your own accessible online trainings and meetings, email IDEAL Group, Inc. about using IDEAL Conference ®