Technical Question to Jukai-ees (from Jundo)

[Jundo]

Hi Guys,

Thank you again for all making yesterday a lovely ceremony ... and being patient with the small glitches. I have one technical question for you, to help with next year.

I was expecting about 16 or so people who said they had cameras to be sitting and visible in the MeBeam meetings halls, but it looked like much fewer ... plus several people who were there but their camera was not working. Any input on why?

Also, any other suggestions on making the ceremony even more lovely for next time (besides improving the sound) are more than welcome.

Gassho, Jundo

[Hogen]

Re: Technical Question to Jukai-ees (from Jundo)

a bunch of us had issues with mebeam. I didn't seem to have issues, but I think some people said it screwed up their justin feed.

[Yugen]

Re: Technical Question to Jukai-ees (from Jundo)

I was bounced repeatedly out of the mebeam room, and had no sound. I switched to Justin TV, between what sound I could pick up and Dokan texting/prompting the ceremony, I was able to follow. I think the sound issue is the primary one to solve.... I do not have suggestions as for how to manage the meeting room issue - let me noodle on this a bit.

Gassho,
Yugen

[Jiken]

Re: Technical Question to Jukai-ees (from Jundo)

I had difficulty with me beam and my safari browser. I had to download another browser to make it work. Maybe others had this problem too. Also it was tough for me on my laptop to have the two windows (Justin tv and me beam) open and see what was going on due to the small size of the windows. Lastly for some reason when I shut down mebeam my volume slightly increased which I decided was more important

[Dokan]

Re: Technical Question to Jukai-ees (from Jundo)

Also, any other suggestions on making the ceremony even more lovely for next time (besides improving the sound) are more than welcome.

I think that giving directions through chat would be helpful as well. I know that during the Winter Retreat Mongen was invaluable in this way to us.

During the Jukai, noticing the sound issues, I did my best to keep up and direct the Jukai-ees. But maybe next year, as insurance, this direction could be added as the ceremony is ongoing.

I offer myself in this regard should you need a volunteer.



One other item of thought would be a 'dry run' the day before..or even just a few hours before.

Gassho,

Dokan

Attached files

[Hogen]

Re: Technical Question to Jukai-ees (from Jundo)

i would say an external microphone would be key (on the Justin.tv) side.

hopefully, google+ will eventually allow for bigger hangouts which could replace mebeam

[Nenka]

Re: Technical Question to Jukai-ees (from Jundo)

Lastly for some reason when I shut down mebeam my volume slightly increased which I decided was more important

Agreed. I've noticed a lot of times when I have two programs running that use sound, the sound is reduced significantly. That's why I left mebeam shortly after the heart sutra . . . although when I decided to come back near the end, the sound stayed at a moderate level. Go figure!

I also agree with Hogen that Google + hangouts might be a better choice than mebeam next year. Actually, anything might be better than mebeam. That site cuts out way too often.

And just a note, I really liked that Gina and Amin (hope I spelled that right) were there with you this year, helping out. I've gotten used to them being on the weekend broadcasts, so it was great to see them.

Gassho

Jen

[Jundo]

Re: Technical Question to Jukai-ees (from Jundo)

And my Mebeam was giving me tons of adverts for Russian dating and escort services! Well, I thought of it as something like a visit from Mara, who came to throw some temptations into our Precept ceremony ...



I think we may have reached the limited of what can be done with "free" services, jury rigged old laptop computers and chicken wire. (I have a $100 microphone, by the way, but it just has been acting up lately).

I think it is time to put a committee together to look at the technological aspects of what conferencing resources, etc., are available for next year's Jukai, and the costs if any. If it is not a free service, it might be appropriate to bend the rules on donations slightly, and ask the next class of Jukai-ees to pass the hat a little.

Email me at jundotreeleaf[a]gmail.com if you think you might be interested in serving on such a fact finding committee for Jukai technology.

Gassho, J

[Jundo]

Re: Technical Question to Jukai-ees (from Jundo)

Oh, and COULD I ALSO REQUEST FOLKS WITH NEW DHARMA NAMES TO ALSO USE THEIR OLD NAMES, AT LEAST FOR AWHILE? EVEN I AM HAVING TROUBLE KEEPING TRACK OF WHO's WHO WITH ALL THESE NEW NAMES BOUNCING AROUND! :roll:

Gassho, J

[Ekai]

Re: Technical Question to Jukai-ees (from Jundo)

My Safari browser would not take my webcam for some reason. I tried to use my iPad but you need Flash for MeBeam to work.

Gassho,
Jodi/Ekai

[Hogen]

Re: Technical Question to Jukai-ees (from Jundo)

i did a quick search and found a site called tinychat.com. looks like you can password protect the room and perhaps it has a large capacity for attendees. i'll do some more digging.

[Dokan]

Re: Technical Question to Jukai-ees (from Jundo)

Honestly, by next year I'm fairly certain Google+ will be able to accommodate this. I've read that they are actively working on expanding the capacity of the rooms. What also would be nice is to maybe have the Jukai correspond with a retreat!? This way, we could have the best of both worlds.

[Jinyu]

Re: Technical Question to Jukai-ees (from Jundo)

During the Jukai, noticing the sound issues, I did my best to keep up and direct the Jukai-ees. But maybe next year, as insurance, this direction could be added as the ceremony is ongoing.

I noticed you did and i really think it helped... at least it helped me understanding what was going on!
and it is true that it could be a good thing to have someone who is responsible for it.

deep gassho,
Jinyu

[Nindo]

Re: Technical Question to Jukai-ees (from Jundo)

I noticed a couple of times during zazenkai that the sound was barely audible on speakers but that I could hear fairly well with headphones. It was the same yesterday.

[Hogen]

Re: Technical Question to Jukai-ees (from Jundo)

Honestly, by next year I'm fairly certain Google+ will be able to accommodate this. I've read that they are actively working on expanding the capacity of the rooms. What also would be nice is to maybe have the Jukai correspond with a retreat!? This way, we could have the best of both worlds.

that's my hope. i thought i read somewhere that pages would get bigger capacity