EVO: A Web-based Conferencing Tool

EVO is a next generation web-based system for conducting meetings and conferences and is
expected to begin replacing VRVS as ISOC's preferred conferencing tool over the next few months.

Prerequisites

• Java runtime environment: (JRE) can be downloaded from: www.java.com

Note: Requires jrel 1.5, or higher, and your browser option must point to javaws, typically located in /usr/java/bin/java.

• A microphone and a set of speakers, or
  a headset with a microphone attached (recommended).

If you have not already done so, you should also familiarize yourself with:

• EVO User Guide
• EVO Etiquette

Note: To download a pdf copy of the EVO User Guide v2.0, released 6/15/2007, click here.

Register to use EVO

In order to use EVO, you must first register:

1. Go to the EVO website.
2. Click on the Register button.
3. Fill in and submit the required information.

You only need to Register once, i.e., before using EVO for the first time.

After you have registered, just bookmark this page and click on the Start button.

The Koala client will be downloaded. Part way through the Koala download, the following login GUI will be displayed:

After clicking on the OK button, the Koala download should complete.

Note: It is currently recommended that you use the default VievoJRAT tool that is set automatically when you download and launch EVO.

Subscribe to the GLAST Community

To subscribe to the GLAST community:

1. Left click on the Other EVO Communities icon in the lower left corner of the GUI.

The Subscribe to Communities GUI will pop up:

2. Expand the Group that you are interested in (e.g., Astronomy).

3. Left click on the Community you wish to subscribe to (e.g., GLAST).

4. Click on the blue arrow pointing to the right.

The selected community will be moved to the Subscribed Communities column.

5. Click on the OK button.

Mac users, please note:

Cut and paste functionality uses Windows style (ctrl-c, ctrl-v), e.g., for pasting urls into the chat window, use: ctrl-v.

EVO Telephone Bridge

1. To connect to a meeting, launch EVO and click on the information button for the meeting you are joining:

The meeting information will be displayed:

2. Make note of the Phone Bridge ID number.

3. Call one of the EVO phone bridge numbers:

Caltech (Pasadena, CA USA)		+1 626 395 2112
CERN (Geneva CH)		+41 22 76 71400

a.	After the EVO tone, enter the meeting's phone bridge ID number and press #.
b.	Then, if prompted, enter the password and press #.

For more detailed information, see: EVO_Telephone_Bridge.pdf.

Troubleshooting:

Note: Be sure to check the EVO FAQ page for the latest information.

If the VievoJRAT tool does not work for your installation, first be sure you have java release 1.5, or higher, and that your browser option points to javaws, typically located in /usr/java/bin/java.

If you are experience problems:

'Unable to Launch' error message after downloading Koala?

It may be that you've had an automatic Sun javascript update, leaving you with a stale Koala in cache. To clear it:

1. At a DOS prompt, enter: javaws -viewer
2. Go to preference and remove all versions of the Koala in cache.
3. Restart EVO.

Transmit problems? Go to the AV Controls —> Audio panel —> Advanced There you can lower your sampling rate (good for home broadband), adjust the silence suppression threshold, and toggle the auto gain control on or off. If all else fails, try disabling the Transmit Silence Suppression altogether.

No microphone/outbound audio? Go to the AV Controls —> Audio panel —> Playback device Try testing each of the drivers to see which one corresponds to your microphone. If/When it works, save the settings, so the next time you join a meeting it will use the selected driver. If it still doesn't work, send the java console information to the help desk.

Panda Server Causing Problems? To change Panda servers: Select: Koala --> Koala Monitoring The following GUI will be displayed: Select a different server from the pulldown menu, then click on the Reconnect button.

Differences between VRVS and EVO:

Feature	EVO	VRVS
Audio	yes	yes
Video	yes	yes	Caution! Due to bandwidth constraints, do not use video. When the Koala GUI appears on your desktop, select Configuration --> Videoconference Client and deselect the Auto Transmit options for Video and Audio. Then click on the Save Settings button and Restart EVO.
Instant Messaging	yes
H.323	yes	yes
Booked Meetings	yes	yes
Ad-Hoc Meetings	yes
Private Meetings	yes
Encryption	yes
Exchange of files	yes
Redundancy System	yes

Which tool used for a given meeting will vary by working group, so be sure to check the meeting agenda and/or minutes for the working group you are interested in.