Berne Union - Berne Union Webinars on Shindig

Berne Union Webinars on Shindig

The majority of the Berne Union’s webinars and online meetings in 2021 will be hosted on the Shindig Platform.

Shindig is a browser-based virtual events platform which facilitates presentations and lectures, discussions, Q&A sessions and small-group video networking.

Its objective is to replicate the dynamics of an in-person event, by allowing participants to interact directly with both the speakers and other attendees; either taking to the stage to ask a question, or engaging in a side-bar chat with up to 6 other audience members.

Important Guidance for Connecting to Berne Union Webinars on Shindig!

Please pay attention to these recommendations, which are designed to avoid any issues you might encounter when connecting to Shindig. You should share this information with any colleagues from your organisation who will also participate in a Berne Union webinar.

For a reliable connection:

Use chrome, firefox or safari web browsers – please avoid edge, or internet explorer!
Completely close all unnecessary programmes and browser tabs – especially video software (teams, zoom etc.)
Make sure you ‘allow’ access to camera and mic when the browser prompts – see how to check this below
Check these firewall rules with your IT Team in advance

If you encounter problems:

check your internet connection
check shindig settings in the browser (cogwheel in the top right)
check web browser settings (padlock next to the address bar)
reload the page / log out and back in to the meeting
try another computer, or tablet / mobile app as a backup, if you can
Ask IT to take a closer look at these technical requirements

Getting connected

How do I join a Shindig meeting?

Shindig is browser-based and supports use of all common web-browsers. You do not need to download any software or install any special browser extensions to connect.

The Secretariat will send a joining link via email prior to the start of any Berne Union event you are registered to attend.
Open the link in a web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox preferred)
Fill out the requested details to enter the meeting (name, email, organisation), ensuring that you use the same email with which you registered for the meeting (this will be your work email, relating to a BU member organisation)
Input any ‘Promo Code’. (if any promo code is required, this will also be supplied via email in advance) and click to enter the event
If you encounter any difficulties at this stage, please first of all check all the details you have entered for any possible typos, before contacting bu-sec@berneunion.org for further assistance

How do I enable my microphone and camera?

When you first join a meeting, your browser will ask for permission to ‘allow’ the website to access your mic and camera.

You must accept this to use Shindig successfully. Mac users on Chrome, Firefox of Edge browsers may have to manually enable camera and mic browser access via the System Preferences / Security & Privacy tab.

If you confirm that the necessary permissions are enabled, but are still having issues with your sound / video, please ensure that the correct devise is selected under the settings panel in the shindig interface (by clicking on the cog)

download a troubleshooting guide here

Can I connect via mobile / tablet?

We recommend that you connect to Shindig via desktop or laptop computer

However, if you are unable to connect this way, or prefer a different device, you can also connect via mobile / tablet.

Fully-featured apps are available for both Android and iOS, via the respective web stores.

Search for ‘Shindig’.

Using Shindig Features

Engaging with other Participants

Shindig is intended to be interactive, and you are encouraged to engage with both the speakers and other attendees. As such, we strongly encourage you to keep your camera on throughout the meeting. Click here to download an intro to Shindig features.

Note that unless you enable the privacy setting (padlock icon) other users will be free to initiate a private video chat with you, before the meeting and during networking portions

Your microphone is automatically muted unless you are on stage, or in a private chat

Presenters currently on stage will be visible with live video at the top of your screen

Other participants are represented by thumbnail pictures which refresh every ~15 seconds

You can start a private video chat with another audience member at any time by clicking on their thumbnail image

They can also initiate this with you, unless you enable the privacy lock to indicate you are not available to chat

You can join a group chat with users currently having a private chat – indicated by their thumbnail pictures locked side by side

Browse additional screens of participants or click in the dashboard to view / search a full list of attendees

Engaging with the Presenters

You can ask a question via text, raise you hand to indicate you would like to join the stage, or post a comment on the public chat

If the speaker wants to collect audience feedback they may conduct a straw poll, in which you simply raise your hand (or keep it lowered) to indicate your feedback, with the results visible on screen.

Alternatively they may enable a slido poll which will appear on your screen as a pop-up
You can click on this directly to select the polling option you want to endorse

Troubleshooting Checklist

Poor Connection

If you can't properly see or hear what's happening on stage, please check the following:

Is your internet connection good enough? Can you make it stronger? e.g. try closing unrequired browser windows etc.
What web browser are you using? (try Chrome or firefox if possible)
Are there any video programmes (skype/teams/zoom etc.) running in the background? - completely close them!
If nothing else is working, can you try connecting from a different machine, mobile tablet / phone? (there is a Shindig App for this)

if you can, check your firewall settings with IT (TCP:443 should be open)

Ask any member of the Berne Union Secretariat for help. Remember, the problem may be with the presenter's connection

Technical Info for your IT Team:

Shindig is distributed by AWS CloudFront via WebRTC based on RTP/RTCP protocols.

Shindig supports firewall traversal for most restricted networks

end-user should have open TCP:443 port and no software which terminates a long HTTP session

additional information in this guide

Can't enter the meeting?

Check that you are using the correct link and that you have registered for the meeting in advance

Ensure you have entered all details correctly on the log-in screen, including any typos in your email address or promo code (if applicable)

Make sure that you are using your work email address and that it is the same one you usually use to log into the Berne Union website

Contact bu-sec@berneunion.org for further assistance

Mic / Camera problems?

If you don't see your own thumbnail video at the bottom of the screen, or Shindig tells you there is no connection...

Check the information as above (under "can't connect to the web page") to confirm that you are using a supported web browser and that you have completely closed all programmes which use video (teams, zoom, etc.),as well as any unnecessary programmes or browser windows which can use up bandwidth

Check selected devices under the settings (cogwheel icon near the top right of the screen when connected to Shindig).

Make sure that your usual mic and camera are selected on the list - if you don't see them...

Check permissions are enabled in browser or computer settings (click the padlock next to the browser address bar to check)

After making any changes, reload the page / log out and back in to the meeting

If nothing else works, and you are able to, please try using a different computer or logging in with a mobile device using the shindig app

Explore Shindig with a Demo in your own time

To get a feel for how Shindig works for attendees, you can view an automated demo here at any time.

We highly recommend all Berne Union webinar participants to take a look at this in advance of joining our meetings

Below you will find visual guidance on how the Shindig platform works, user features and troubleshooting support as well as a download of shindig Attendee User Tips.

Berne Union Webinars on Shindig