MAA PREP Workshop: Authoring Online Materials
Answers to Questions
Hardware
- Q: What type of microphone do I need to use with my computer?
A: Long Answer : There are basically two different types of microphones, those
with preamp and those without (the former usually have a battery
associated with them).
Just about any microphone will work with most modern systems with
sound cards. If you have a microphone without preamp, then you need to
rely on the sound cards amp and make sure you plug the microphone into
the "Microphone" port. Otherwise, you can plug it into either the line
or mic port an adjust your volume appropriately.
Short Answer : Any $5 - $20 microphone from Best Buy or similiar store should be fine.
Software
- Q: The RAT player sound is choppy and frequently cuts out. Can I improve the quality?
You can get better quality by making some Option changes. Under the category "Reception", checkmark "Limit Playout Delay" and increase the Minimum Delay to at least 500ms. Also checkmark Lecture Mode. This will add a slight delay but should cut down on the chopiness.
- Q: AOL Instant Messenger is up! Now how do I go to the PrepWorkshop Chat Room?
You should click on the icon labeled Send Chat Invitation. (Under Windows, this is the second icon from the left). Now invite yourself (enter your screenname) to the chatroom PrepWorkshop. That should bring up the chat room with all current participants.
- Q: I have a firewall, what ports do I need to open to allow VNC, RAT, AOL, and SSH to work?
VNC will tunnel its connection via the SSH connection so you do not need additional ports to support VNC. RAT requires UDP ports 4096 and 4097 to be open to machine 152.3.25.9. AOL requires you to be able to connect to a machine at aol.com on TCP port 5190. All incoming data will come back in over this established connection. SSH requires you to be able to connect to remote machines on TCP port 22.
- Q: Do I need RealPlayer G2 or will another version I already have work?
A: Any version of RealPlayer greater than v5 will work fine, this includes G2, RealPlayer 7, RealPlayer 8, and the new RealOne Player. Real Networks has used the G2 name to identify versions 6, 7, and 8 of its player, but has now changed to RealOne for its new releases.
- Q: Will signing up for an AOL Instant Messager Username cause me to receive SPAM email and Instant Messages?
A: I am unaware of anyone being bombarded with messages (who was not already a member of AOL). I have my AOL client running 8+ hours a day and in all the time I've used it, I have never received a single message from someone to whom I did not give my Screen Name. Similarly, I don't believe I have received any SPAM email as a result of applying for an AOL Screen Name. In any regard, you can provide your PREP Conference account email address to get the AOL Screen Name (since these accounts will be closed after the conference anyway) and if you are bothered by anyone on AOL you can add them to your block list and they won't be able to contact you further.
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Revised 7/10/02