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What Is a Webinar?
A webinar is a live meeting that takes place over the Web. The meeting can be a presentation, discussion, demonstration
or training session. Participants can view documents and applications via their computers, while shared audio allows for
presentation and discussion.
Minitex webinars are typically limited to small groups (around 10 attendees) and generally last between 60-90 minutes.
Our trainers have found that small, focused groups provide a great way for library staff around the region to ask questions
and participate in discussion.
Webinars are an efficient way to transmit and share information. There is no transportation
involved—so webinars save time and money!
How Does a Webinar Work?
All you need to attend a webinar is your computer, a compatible web browser, and a way to share the audio portion of the
session. Minitex primarily uses Microsoft Live Meeting 2007 web conferencing software.
Minitex also uses Adobe Connect (formerly Macromedia Breeze) and Horizon Wimba Live Classroom web conferencing software
as alternatives. If we use alternative software, system requirements and instructions will be sent out to participants
before the session.
Webinar Etiquette
Keep in mind that when you participate in a webinar session there are usually many other people participating as well.
That means that it is important for you to be ready to go when the session begins.
- Have the email that contains the URL to attend the session and login instructions handy.
- Five to ten minutes before the start of the session, login by going to the URL that was sent to you via email.
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As a courtesy to other attendees, make sure to dial in to the conference call with the telephone number provided about
five minutes prior to session start time.
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Use your telephone's mute button if you have background noise in your computer area. Voices of patrons or staff, ringing
telephones, and other noise can be distracting for webinar participants.
Suggest a Webinar
Is there a topic that you think would make for a useful training session? Please suggest ideas for a Minitex webinar.
Chances are, if you want to know about something, so do other folks in the region. Submit your idea by clicking on
the link below and selecting the "Webinars/Workshops" category on the form.
Attending a Webinar
How to Prepare
Because Live Meeting is a Microsoft product it is best to connect using Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (IE) browser.
Other browsers may be able to login to the Live Meeting session, but often they do not have full functionality with all of
Live Meeting’s features. Furthermore, it is important to remember that when viewing an archived recording of a webinar via
Live Meeting software, it must be viewed using Internet Explorer and will not work in other browsers.
A day or two before your scheduled webinar, we suggest that you perform a browser test to check that your computer can access
the Live Meeting 2007 session.
If your system is not compatible, the test will prompt you to install the Windows-based Live Meeting Console. You may need
administrative rights to install the Live Meeting Console on your machine. If that is the case, consult your IT support.
Mac users and those who prefer not to install the Live Meeting Console can connect to Live Meeting using the Web-based Live
Meeting Console. When you receive your instructions and the login information for a particular webinar session, there will be a
separate link for the web-based Live Meeting Console users.
To be sure you can connect to the Web-based Live Meeting Console, you can perform a browser check below:
Establishing Your Audio Connection
Minitex can provide an audio connection via your telephone using our conference call center. If you have a telephone that
has a headset or a speakerphone with muting feature, you may wish to use it. This prevents the need to hold your handset
during the presentation. Using a speakerphone also allows a group of your colleagues to participate in the session along with you.
Muting your speakerphone while not speaking decreases background noises and, thus, increases audio quality for all attendees.
Another option is to receive the audio via your computer along with the visual portion of the presentation. The Internet audio
(VoIP) option may require you to meet additional computer requirements.
- You need a computer with sound capability and speakers or headphones so you can hear the audio. Check your computer volume controls
to make sure audio is not muted. You should have a microphone so you can ask questions and fully participate in any discussion.
- The quality of your audio connection can vary depending on your Internet connection. Therefore, there may be some instances in
which you may experience intermittent audio. If you have trouble hearing the audio on your computer, call in to the conference
call via your telephone if you have one close to your computer.
- A broadband Internet connection (T1, cable, DSL, or corporate LAN) is recommended for VoIP audio.
Troubleshooting
If you are having trouble connecting to the webinar, please check the following possible problems before
contacting Minitex:
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Make sure you are using Internet Explorer as your web browser to connect to LiveMeeting. Other browsers
may work but often have limited functionality.
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Check the URL to make sure you have entered the complete address. If you are having trouble with the full URL,
there are instructions for an alternative login to LiveMeeting that was sent to you via e-mail.
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If you have entered in the URL of the session and you see a page with links to download Live Meeting, you may
not have performed a system compatibility check. In this case, call the presenter with the phone number that w
as included in the webinar login instructions and ask for assistance. As an alternative you may be asked to login
using the web based Live Meeting console.