Q1.  What is the ACCD Meeting Place?     A:   The ACCD Meeting Place is a real-time web based system (Powered by Elluminate vClass™) mentoring and tutoring system that can be used to enhance online courses, tutor, provide one-on-one instruction, provide advisement, have online office hours. The system features full 2-way audio, and instant messaging capabilities, a shared interactive whiteboard (which can be used to post PowerPoint presentations as well as images), remote control abilities for both moderator and students as well as application sharing features. The meeting place is a safe and controlled environment to conduct meetings or class sessions. To visit the Meeting Place site click on the link below. http://elluminate.accd.edu/portal/DesktopDefault.aspx Q2.   What is Java™ Web Start?     A:  Java ™ Web Start -- a new application-deployment technology -- gives you the power to launch full-featured applications with a single click from your Web browser. You can now download and launch applications, such as a complete spreadsheet program or an Internet chat client, without going through complicated installation procedures. Java™ Web Start includes the security features of the Java™ 2 platform, so the integrity of your data and files is never compromised. In addition, Java™ Web Start technology enables you to use the latest Java™ 2 technology -- with any browser. With Java™ Web Start, you launch applications simply by clicking on a Web page link. If the application is not present on your computer, Java™ Web Start automatically downloads all necessary files. It then caches the files on your computer so the application is always ready to be launched anytime you want -- either from an icon on your desktop or from the browser link. Q3.   What does this security warning that appears before vClass begins mean?     A:  When prompted by the Java™ Web Start security warning that “This application is requesting unrestricted access to your local machine and network”, the user may feel threatened and not want to click “Start” to allow vClass to continue. Allowing the request does not shut down local security or modify security settings in any way. The application needs this access for a number of reasons. The Elluminate software needs to be able to interact with the users hardware in order to access the speakers and microphone through the sound card. The Elluminate software allows the ability to import files (such as gif’s or jpeg’s) onto the Whiteboard and to convert PowerPoint files into .wbd files to be used in the vClass classroom itself. To be able to do this we have to be allowed to browse the users directory structure. In reality, the user searching for the files does this browsing, but this access must be granted. Q4.   Where can I find out more about Java™ Web Start?     A:  The Java™ Web Start home page is located at http://java.sun.com/products/javawebstart/ Q5.   Problems with Firewalls     A:   Click on the link Click here to test your relevant firewall security settings on your assigned web page (usually under the heading “Technical Support) and you will be redirected to a page that will test which ports your machine has available and are open to traffic. Click on the button labeled Start Firewall test the applet will test your ability to make a connection to Elluminate through any firewall system that is in place. After all tests are run you will be shown a summary of which ports your machine should use. Test1 will test to see if your machine can connect using Elluminate default port, 2187 while Test2 test on the default HTML port, 80 (Alternate Connection 1). Port 8080 can also be used to connect to Elluminate as “Alternate Connection 2”. Failure to connect on all three of these ports means that your firewall will have to be configured by your system administrator to open a port for vClass to access your machine. Specifically, contact your IT department, or the person(s) who administrates your firewall and have them open up port 2187, 80, or 8080 to allow a connection for the vClass software. Elluminate’s vClass runs on ports 2187, 80, and 8080. You have to be able to connect to one of these ports. Standard connection is 2187. Alternate connections are ports 80 and 8080. The type of traffic is TCP/IP conference port. All participants must have a single connection to the server. The server sends data to all participants through their own individual connections. How do I connect with an alternate connection if I am behind a firewall? If you take the firewall test that is on the Elluminate demo page and it says you need to use an alternate connection, you need to have the ability to connect using an alternate connection to your room. Q6.  Where can I find a Meeting Place Orientation?     A:  Click on the link below to visit an orientation slide show that will help you familiarize yourself with the features within your meeting place room: http://www.elluminate.com/support/orientation/toc.jsp Q7.   What are the technical requirements needed to run vClass client side software?     A:  The minimum configuration for running vClass is as follows: For an IBM compatible: Pentium II 266 MHz processor or faster Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/NT 64 megabytes of RAM 20 Megabytes of available disk space on your hard drive Soundcard with speakers and microphones or headset 28.8 kbps or higher internet connection Internet Explorer 4.0 (or higher) or Netscape 4.7 (or higher) Graphic Tablet (optional) For a MAC: Mac OS 9.0, 9.1, 9.2, Mac OS X 10.1 or later G3 233 or better 64 Megabytes for OS 9, 128 megabytes for OS X and above 20 megabytes of available disk space on your hard drive Stuffit Expander Soundcard with speakers and microphone or headset 28.8 kbps or higher internet connection Internet Explorer 4.0 (or higher) Graphic Tablet (optional)