Online Open House Meetings

 

John is available at Open House meetings for about one hour most Wednesdays.

Anyone who wants to speak with him is welcome.

You can connect to the meetings using a computer or a telephone.

Meetings are from 11 am to 12 pm PT (11:00 to 12:00 UTC/GMT -8).

Click here to see what time the meetings begin in your time zone.

 

If you wish to speak with John, you will need a headset with microphone. You can also use earbuds and a microphone.

Even if you don't have a computer, you can still register (or ask a friend to register you — all you need is a valid email address so we can send you your registration information) and connect to the meeting with only a telephone. You will not be able to speak with John, but you will be able to listen to the meeting, as you would listen to a radio show.

You will be taken to the registration page. Fill out the form and click on the button Register Now to submit your registration. You must use a valid email address so you can receive the email confirmation with instructions.

The information you provide during registration is private and will not be shared or displayed anywhere. The email confirmation will have all the information you will need to connect to the meeting (a link to connect online and join the meeting on your computer, meeting access code, a list of phone numbers in several different countries, etc).

You must register even if you have registered for Worldwide Online Meetings. These are two separate series with different access codes and phone numbers.

Click here for a complete schedule of Open House meetings.

Registration is free of charge.

PLEASE DO NOT RECORD OUR ONLINE MEETINGS.

The complete recording of each Worldwide Online Meeting is available in our free podcast within a few days. These are high quality recordings that you can listen to on the John Sherman Podcast. You can download and save the file on your computer.

The John Sherman Podcast is also available on iTunes.

We thank you very much for your understanding.

Click here to register for the Online Open House Series.

Click on a link for details:

• Connecting with a computer
• Connecting with a phone
• Connecting with a computer using a phone for audio (for slow connections)
• Using a satellite connection
• Connecting wiht an iPhone, iPod Touch or an iPad
• Useful information

 

 

Connecting to the meeting online and using a headset or your computer's microphone and speakers for audio.

1. After registering, you will see a confirmation page. You will also receive an email with the same information on this page and a link to connect to the online open house meetings. The email will also include the call-in phone numbers.

2. This link will be created just for you. Please do not share it. You will used it to join all online open house meetings. If you would like to invite your friends to the meetings, please send them the link to this page.

3. Click on the link at any time to install the software and create your login. If prompted, click Yes, Grant or Trust to accept the download. If it asks to install a Java plugin update, please allow it to do so.

4. When prompted, enter your name and your email address. You'll have the option to save that information for the following meetings (simply check the box next to "Remember my name and email").

EMAIL PRIVACY - Email addresses are shown by default. During installation, you may change your name and email address as they are displayed during the meetings. Here you can enter a different email address than the one you used to register. If you do not wish others to see your email address, you may enter anon@riverganga.org in the Email field. Check the box "Remember my name and email as it would appear in the attendee list".  Leave all the other settings as they are. Click OK.

 

System requirements

For PC-based users:

Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

Required: Internet Explorer® 7.0 or newer, Mozilla® Firefox® 3.0 or newer or Google Chrome 5.0 or newer (JavaScript and Java enabled)

Required: Internet connection, with cable modem, DSL or better recommended

Recommended: Minimum of Pentium® class 1GHz CPU with 512 MB of RAM (2 GB of RAM for Windows® Vista)

For Mac-based users:

Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 (Leopard®), OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard®)

Required: Safari 3.0 or newer, Firefox® 3.0 or newer or Google Chrome 5.0 or newer (JavaScript and Java enabled)

Required: Internet connection, with cable modem, DSL or better recommended

Required: Intel processor with 512 MB of RAM or better recommended

 

To use a microphone and speakers (VoIP):

Required: A fast broadband connection, with 384 kbps or more recommended

Required: Microphone and speakers, with a USB headset recommended

 

The software will install automatically. Once the installation finishes, you will be in the meeting room. You will see the Attendee Control Panel on your computer screen.

If you can't see it, it is probably minimized to the upper right corner of your screen. You will see two icons there. From the bottom up: a screen and a white arrow on an orange background (it will be pointing to the left when the control panel is minimized).

Click on the arrow to maximize the Control Panel. The arrow will change and it will now be pointing to the right.

On the Control Panel, choose the Audio Mode you will be using by checking either Use Telephone or Use Mic & Speakers.

Audio quality can vary based on your audio software/hardware manufacturer as well as your operating system. When using VoIP, the following best practices are recommended:

• For optimum sound quality, a headset is recommended, preferably a USB headset for ease of use.
  
  
• If a headset is not available, a microphone and speakers are required, preferably a USB microphone for ease of use.
  
  
• If using a microphone, it should be a distance of at least 1.5 feet away from any speakers that are built into or connected to your PC.
  
  
• The use of a Webcam microphone is not recommended.

 

Download a pdf file with advanced instructions for configuring your microphone and speakers.

If you still experience audio problems, click here for more advanced instructions.

 

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Connecting to the meeting online and using the phone for audio.

1. Click on the link to join the meeting. Your personal link is on the email you received from GoToWebinar.

As everyone else, you'll be in LISTEN ONLY mode. That means that you can only speak if you ask to speak and I open your microphone from our side. This is to prevent the awful feedback that happens if all microphones are open at the same time.

Now, the program is set automatically to microphone and speakers.

 

 

NOTE: At this point, the RAISE HAND icon will not be visible.

 

 

2. To use your telephone for audio, check the radio button in the AUDIO MODE options that says Use Telephone.

 

The program will give you the phone number, access code and Audio PIN. The Audio PIN is different for each person and it changes each time you call.

 

 

3. If you are not calling from withing the United States, click on the link additional numbers to see the list of available phone numbers. Dial the correct phone number for your country. Using your phone keypad, when prompted, enter the access code followed by the # sign. When prompted, enter the AUDIO PIN (in this example, it's 36) followed by the # sign.

You'll be able to listen to the meeting in LISTEN ONLY MODE, just like everybody else.

When John opens for questions, the RAISE HAND icon will appear on the upper left side of the GoToWebinar Control Panel (Third one from the top). Click on the RAISE HAND icon to let us know that you wish to speak. Once you click on it, the RAISE HAND icon will change. The upward pointing green arrow (see picture on top) now turns into a downward pointing red arrow.

When it's your turn to speak, we will call your name and unmute your phone from our end. You'll be able to speak then.

Leave the hand up until you are finished speaking with John.

If there is feedback or too much noise during the conversation, I may mute/unmute your microphone temporarily while John speaks.

 

NOTE: If you call this number at any time other than during the meeting times, the automated voice will tell you "The webinar will begin shortly. Please stay on the line." That is just an automated message. Please hang up to avoid long distance charges.  The meetings begin at 11 am end around 12 pm PT (11:00-12:00 UTC/GMT -8). The room opens at 10:50 am PT (10 minutes before the beginning of the meeting).

You can check what time the meetings begin in your area by clicking here.

 

Are there charges involved in using a telephone?

There is no charge for attending the meeting no matter what method you choose.

But the phone interface uses ordinary toll-based numbers to call and participate in a meeting by phone. You will be charged your standard long-distance rate for calling this toll-based number, just as if you had made a regular long-distance call.  Joining the meeting by computer costs nothing.

 

Using only a phone to connect, without logging in.

The full list in alphabetical order of the eighteen telephone numbers available will be included in your registration confirmation email.

1. Find the best number for you from the list of phone numbers available;
   
   
2. Dial that number and an automated recording will greet you and will ask you to enter the Access Code;
   
   
3. Enter the Access Code in your confirmation email using your phone keys followed by the pound sign (#);
   
   
4. You will then be asked to enter your audio PIN for the meeting followed by the # sign. If you do not have an audio PIN, just enter the pound sign (#) and you will be connected to the meeting room.
   
   
5. You will not be able to speak with John without a PIN, but you will be able to follow the meeting and hear everything.
   
   
6. You will hear the following automated message:"You are connected in listen only mode." Please wait on the line until the meeting begins.
   
   
7. Remember, you will be charged your standard long-distance rate for calling this toll-based number, just as if you had made a regular long-distance call. There is no additional charge for the conferencing feature. If you wish to avoid incurring long-distance charges, you can join the meeting with VoIP (via Internet using a headset on your computer.)

 

NOTE:If you call this number at any time other than during the meeting times, the automated voice will tell you "The webinar will begin shortly. Please stay on the line." That is just an automated message. Please hang up to avoid long distance charges. The meetings begin at 11 am end around 12 pm PT (11:00-12:00 UTC/GMT -8). The room opens at 10:50 am PT (10 minutes before the beginning of the meeting).

You can check what time the meetings begin in your area by clicking here.

 

Connecting with an iPhone, iPod Touch or an iPad

Now you can join our online meetings using an iPhone, an iPad or an iPod touch.

Simply go to the iTunes app store and download the latest version of the GoToMeeting app (4.8.723.3) free of charge. The app is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 4.2 or later.

Click to go to the app store (opens a new window).

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Satellite Connections

The documentation for go-to-webinar says that you need at least 384 kbps for download, but satellite connections may vary anywhere from about 800 down to 50 kbps. Some satellite providers also impose a daily limit on downloads. A two-hour meeting might use about 50 Mb total. Satellite users please plan for that.

 

Useful Information

 

1. At the beginning of the meeting, all participant's microphones are muted. When John opens for questions, a hand icon will appear on your control panel. If you wish to speak with John, click on the hand icon on your Control Panel (see 3rd icon from top in the picture below) to let Carla know.  Carla will put you in line and will let you know when it is your turn to speak. When it is your turn to speak, she will unmute your microphone so you can speak. Make sure your microphone is not muted on your side.

Sometimes, your hand might be raised by accident. Please check to see if your hand is raised (arrow pointing up). If you raise your hand and then decide you do not wish to speak anymore, please click on the hand to lower your hand (arrow pointing down). Too many hands raised unintentionally create difficulties for the meeting moderator.

2. By default, the Control Panel disappears after a couple of minutes. To keep the Control Panel visible, click on View on the top menu and make sure that the Auto-hide option is NOT checked. You may need to do this at the beginning of every meeting.

3. During the online meetings, if the voices break up, it might be that your computer is too busy trying to do too many things at the same time. Please shut down any programs that are not needed during the meetings, such as your internet browser, email program, backup software, instant messenger, etc. The fewer programs you have running on your machine, especially if they are connecting to the internet, the better the sound quality will be.

If there is feedback or too much noise during the conversation, I may mute/unmute your microphone temporarily while John speaks.

4. The meeting room opens 10 minutes before 11 am. The first time you attend a meeting, if you click on the link to connect before the scheduled time, you will not be able to install the software or enter the room. Please come back at 10:50 am.

If during the meeting you lose audio, try toggling the audio mode between telephone and mic & speakers. That usually fixes it.

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Click here to listen to recordings of previous meetings.

Click here for a schedule of Online Open House Meetings.

These live online meetings have proven to be a wonderfully effective way to broaden the reach of the infallible practice of looking at oneself, whereby all belief as to what we are is snuffed out.

The meetings draw people from all over the world. Those who participate have reported on the usefulness and value of being able to meet this way with John.

You can help provide financial support for our work by making a donation.

 

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