PalTalk Instructions
North Ohio NORML monthly meetings are conducted on the software and voice chat "rooms" provided by PalTalk. Below are instructions on how to set PalTalk up on your computer so that you can participate.
Print these instructions now for later reference.
To participate in this event you will need to install PalTalk software (an audio/video conferencing tool) from www.PalTalk.com. Please check the system requirements below.
System Requirements:
Windows 98/Me/NT4/2000/XP/2003, Pentium 120 MHz with 16MB RAM, Internet connection (28.8kbps minimum), Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher, Full-duplex sound card required (for audio)
Recommended Products:
Microphone and speakers.
Once at the PalTalk.com website, click on the "Sign Up" button.
Carefully complete the registration process.
Click the "Submit" button.
Correct any information, or change nickname if necessary, otherwise;
Chose the free service or premium service. (The free service is all that is necessary to participate in our discussion.)
Click "Submit" button.
Click on the 'Download' button. This will save PalTalk to your desktop. Note: The file is only 959kb - less than 2 minutes on a 28.8kbps connection.
Once the download has completed, PalTalk will launch automatically. Click on "Start PalTalk Installation" You may change the install directory if desired.
The program usually starts automatically, (If it does not, look for the PalTalk icon on the desktop and double click to start)
You should receive an email from PalTalk in a few minutes with your email confirmation code. This code is required to access the PalTalk system the first time. Please enter the code the first time the client is invoked, or click on the link in the email.
Once logged on:
Two windows will appear on the desktop, one has options you can choose that will take you to various help groups, and the other is the PalTalk program window. New users may wish to utilize the help groups while experienced users can simply click the "groups" icon in the main program window. Once the category list appears double click "Social Issues" and look for "North Ohio NORML" double click to join the discussion. Be sure the "Adult Content (at bottom) is checked "off."
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Sometimes, PalTalk does not function very well behind a firewall, and it may be necessary to configure your firewall or shut down the firewall software. See the "help" menu on the PalTalk main program window.
Closing any programs you are not using on your computer, and suspending any downloads will free memory and bandwidth and PalTalk will perform much better.
If you are unable to hear sound or see text in the meeting room or are unable to speak, and you are certain that your microphone and speakers are working, leaving and then re-entering the room usually resolves the problem. (Note: if your username has a red dot next to it the room, the administrator has suspended your microphone and/or text privileges, see below.)
In order to have a productive session, it may be necessary to remove microphone and/or text privileges from everyone. When appropriate, the "Request Talk" button should always be used first. The moderator will recognize you and restore mic control when it's your turn. Please be patient!
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