Internet Workshops

What is an internet workshop?

Internet workshops allow people from all around Australia, and the world, to talk together as a group without any cost. It is a bit like a teleconference except that we use the computer instead of the phone, and only one person can speak at a time. There is also capacity for "chatting" in a text box while people are talking. Various PHM groups have successfully used this technology to hold meetings with many people from around the world.

We consider it important to develop our capacity to use this technology to increase our ability to communicate in groups within Australia, in our region and world-wide. This technology reduces the cost of communication and reduces the need for carbon-emitting travel which contributes to global warming.

Technical

PHM Oz internet workshops are conducted via the internet in real time voice. Our preferred platform is Skype (http://www.skype.com) but if we have more than 9 participants we can use Paltalk (http://www.paltalk.com/)

You will need:

• a headset with earphones plus boom microphone (less than $30 at any electronics computer stuff shop).
  
• a computer (PC) with Win 2000 or higher and 128 MB RAM and a sound card.

Steps to take:
We recommend that you download and set up both platforms (logon, user names, etc). While Skype is much more user friendly it is sometimes convenient to use Paltalk.

• let David who is the usual convenor (david[at]phmoz.org) know what your Skype and PT IDs are so that you can be invited into the chat
  
• practise using both platforms prior to participating in your first onlilne meeting (highly recommended!)
  
• check the time difference if you don't live in Eastern Australia
• arrive 15 min early on line the first time you use it for a meeting, and 5 min early after that

For more information email david[at]phmoz.org