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FAQ - hotComm Java

Document number: faqJ-01
Copyright (c) 2004-2011 1stWorks Corporation. All rights reserved.

Charts and Slides
Audio and Sound
Connecting to a Room or Webinar
Java System Requirements 		hotComm CL

hotComm Java is a Java applet that starts automatically when you click a special hotComm weblink, and connects you to a room or webinar.

You must have a recent version of Java installed on your computer. You can install it (or get updates) from http://Java.com. Mac users can update Java by clicking the Apple menu, then Software Update.... Get Sun Java

In a room or webinar, you may experience:

  • A background window with a logo. Do NOT close this window, or hotComm Java will close. However, you can minimize the window.

  • A chat window for typing. Note that some moderators prevent you from seeing what other participants type.

  • A pop-up window showing Charts or Slides or other presentation materials.

  • Audio, either voice or music.
For frequently asked questions and troubleshooting, please see below.

Also, make sure your computer and Internet connection meets Java System Requirements.

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Charts and Slides

Many rooms and webinars display Charts or Slides in a separate window. If you do not see the Charts or Slides:
  • Turn off any POP-UP BLOCKING software, and then join the session again. Note that pop-up blockers may be included in your firewall, security or privacy software, in browser plug-ins such as the Google toolbar, and other programs.

  • Make sure you have a current version of Java (see Java System Requirements).

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Audio and Sound

If a moderator is speaking, you should hear them automatically.

If you do not hear audio:
  1. Close your browser (Internet Explorer, Safari, etc.) and then reconnect. (Be sure to do this if you lose audio during a session.)

  2. Turn off any POP-UP BLOCKING software, and then join the session again. Note that pop-up blockers may be included in your firewall, security or privacy software, in browser plug-ins such as the Google toolbar, and other programs.

  3. See Testing Audio and Troubleshooting below.

Testing audio

hotComm Java uses AU technology, which is often used for playing WAV files. To test your audio:
  • hotComm audio test room.

    Click here to join the hotComm Audio Test Room, where there is an audio recording playing non-stop. If the sound you hear in that room is clear, steady and consistent, then you should be able to hear audio in other rooms as well.

Troubleshooting Audio Problems

If you lose audio during a session, close your browser (Internet Explorer,Safari, etc.) and then reconnect.

If audio is broken-up, try disconnecting from the room or session, and re-connecting. That is probably your only solution if the session is already in process, as troubleshooting audio can take time.

Audio depends on the quality of equipment and connections used by both you and the presenter. For example, dial-up connections are likely to lose words or phrases, especially when new charts are being shown.

These are some things you can do to try to improve audio and visuals:
  • Close any unnecessary programs, in order to give hotComm Java more system resources.

  • Close any other audio programs,such as Skype.

  • Disconnect from the room, close hotComm Java, then reconnect.

  • Update your audio drivers. Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and see if there are any updates available for your drivers.

  • Disable any software (such as spyware or Trojan detection) that might be interfering with the audio data stream, and see if that improves the quality.

  • Make sure you are using a current version of Java (See Java System Requirements).

Try hotComm CL

If the room you want to join allows hotComm CL, you can download and use it instead. hotComm CL is a Windows program, and has more audio controls.

To download hotComm CL, click here, and select Open or Run (not save). Follow the installation instructions. Then, in your browser, click the same link to join the room as you did using hotComm Java, and you connect to the room. For information about audio with the hotComm Windows products, see I can't hear anyone.

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Connecting to a Room or Webinar

Click on a special hotComm weblink to start the hotComm Java and connect to a room or webinar. If you are having problems connecting, see below.

I don't get the IM-Live Login window
  • Turn off POP-UP blocking software. Pop-up blockers prevent the IM-Live login window from appearing.

  • Check the Java System Requirements.

  • You may have eliminated a file with a Teddy Bear icon that Java requires, possibly as a result of a hoax email saying that this file contains a virus. In this case, reinstall Sun Java. See Java System Requirements.

"Attention! You should not see this notice" message

This means that the room or session you want to join does not allow hotComm IM-Live Java connections.

If you are using a hotComm Windows product (CL, Lite, Standard/Pro), it means that the connection to the room or session is not being completed.

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Java System Requirements

Super Java client

Minimum requirements for chat (typing):

  • Sun Java (most recent version) installed on your computer. If your computer does not already have Java support, you can get it from Sun Microsystems, Inc..
    Get Sun Java
  • Internet Explorer 8.0 (or higher). Google Chrome Browser, Firefox or Safari also supported with most recent Java V: 7.17 or higer
  • Browser and/or MAC & PC enabled for Java and Javascript. Specifically set to allow for Java Applets to run with full permissions granted

Presentations including audio and/or charts also require:

  • Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7/8 on a PC.
  • MAC OS users should still download hotComm (CL, Lite or STD/PRO) onto WINDOWS if installed on MAC (available through programs like VMWare, Bootcamp or Parallels) if this is possible
  • High-speed Internet connection, not dial-up*, ISDN* or satellite*.
  • Sound card in your computer, with updated sound drivers.
  • Pop-ups must be allowed. You must disable any pop-up blocking software.
  • Best performance requires multiple VoIP programs (i.e. SKYPE, AIM, Yahoo Messenger as examples) closed

* Dial-up, ISDN and satellite connections should use Windows clients instead.


Browser Configuration

Your browser must be Java enabled.

To enable Java in Netscape 4.0 (Communicator) follow these steps:

  1. Select "Edit" from your menu bar.
  2. Select "Preferences" then click "Advanced."
  3. Check the boxes next to "Enable Java" and "Enable JavaScript."
  4. Click "OK."

To enable Java in Internet Explorer 4.0, do the following:

  1. Select "View" from your menu bar.
  2. Select "Internet Options," then click on the Security tab.
  3. For the Internet Zone, select "Custom" and click on "Settings."
  4. Scroll to the bottom of the Custom Settings list.
  5. Under Scripting, set "Active scripting and Scripting of Java Applets" to either "Enable" or "Prompt."
  6. Click "OK" to return to Security Settings, then click "Apply" and "OK."

 

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hotComm CL

Try hotComm CL

If the room or webinar or event you want to join allows hotComm CL, you can download and use it instead. hotComm CL is a Windows program, and has more audio controls.

hotComm CL runs on Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

You can install hotComm CL from http://hotcomm.com/downloadCL.asp. At the end of the installation, hotComm CL starts. You see an empty hotComm chat window. Then, to join the Event, click the same link to join the room as you did using hotComm Java.

For information about audio with the hotComm Windows products, see I can't hear anyone. For Support, see hotComm Support.

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