Help, Documentation, and Training Sessions

Minimum Hardware and Software Requirements for OPAL:

• Windows 2000, XP, Vista (XP or Vista recommended) (May work with 98 Second edition and ME -- very minimal testing has been done)
  
  
• Pentium 3 500 MHz or better CPU
  
  
• 512 MB RAM
  
  
• Internet Explorer 6 or 7, or FireFox
  
  
• JavaScript and cookies enabled in the browser
  
  
• Soundcard and some sort of audio output method (e.g., speakers, headphones, earbuds--to hear what others in the online room are saying)
  
  
• Microphone (for voice-over-IP communication) (Please Note: Many laptops contain embedded microphones. For desktop computers, the inexpensive microphones available for less than $10 at discount stores and online usually work well and reliably.)
  
  
• Internet Connection (of course): a 56K modem connection should work reasonably well.
  
  

• If you want to enter an OPAL online room and participate in a live online event, you will need to use a computer running a fairly recent version of the Microsoft operating system (2000, XP, or Vista recommended). Also, you need to download and install a small, safe piece of software. A link to obtain this software is available on all OPAL room entry pages, such as the Entry Point to the OPAL Auditorium
  
  
• If you are using an Apple Mac, a Linux machine, or some other operating system (including even a MS OS), you can listen and see what is going on in an OPAL online room without actually downloading the software or being in the online room. All you need to do is click on the "Mac-compatible Web Client" link available on most OPAL room entry pages, such as the Entry Point to the OPAL Auditorium. You may text chat back into an OPAL online room using this no-software-download-required interface, but you cannot speak in an OPAL online room.
  
  
• If you want to listen to and watch the recording of a previous OPAL online event, simply peruse or search through the OPAL Archive
  
  
• If your organization is interested in becoming an OPAL organizational member, you may review the information contained in the OPAL Fact Sheet. A temporary OPAL trial online room for your organization can be set up for testing and evaluation, too.
  
  

• HTML version of the OPAL Getting Started Guide
  
  
• Downloadable Microsoft Word version of the OPAL Getting Started Guide (55 KB)
  
  

• The server port number used by OPAL is 443. A webpage full of technical information about the web conferencing software used by OPAL can be found at the following URL:
  http://talkingcommunities.com/tcuman
  
  
• For general information about OPAL and the software used, please contact Tom Peters.
  
  
• The website of Talking Communities contains FAQs, guides, and tutorials to assist you with your use of their software
  
  
• The OPAL archive contains recordings of previous OPAL orientation sessions.
  
  

• Click on the room you wish to enter. A list of available OPAL rooms is at http://www.opal-online.org/meeting.htm. Also, in the list of upcoming OPAL events at http://www.opal-online.org/programs.htm you may click on the title of any event to enter the room in which it will be held.



• The first time you enter an OPAL online room, a small software applet will automatically download onto your computer allowing you to enter the room. The applet enables your computer to participate in the discussion. It is safe.



• Type your name into the Name Field, then either press the Enter key or click on the Enter button.

• Tips and Techniques for OPAL Moderators: A checklist of things to consider and do before, during, and after an OPAL online event that you are planning and organizing.

• Recorded introduction to the Document Center, created by Steve Hoffman from Talking Communities in June 2007 (playback time: 18 mins.)