Participating
Tools and skills for participating in CPsquare
Most of CPsquare’s activities happen at a distance. Here are some of the tools and skills that are involved. There’s always smore to learn about collaborating at a distance. It’s part of our practice. But here are a few things that you need to get going.
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Recommended tool
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How it’s used
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| We use email for registration and organizational purposes. We often have back-channel conversations via email. You can follow a discussion by email or be alerted to activity in a topic that specifically interests you. Email is key if you are responding to calls for participation or stepping forward to encourage others to participate in some way. Other members have access to your email address but as a whole we try to limit email volume. | |
| Current Web browser | We have a rather large Web Crossing discussion space that requires a current web browser, but no additional plug-ins. You can get email updates (in digest or individual posting form) from any Web Crossing discussion. |
| Chat | We have occasional meetings in a Web Crossing chat room that uses a Java Applet. Some fiewalls block the port that this Java Applet uses, so occasionally people must use the HTML version of the chat room, which is functional but not as convenient. The chat transcript is normally posted in the relevant discussion space. |
| Instant Message | Although the website itself has a “Quick Message” facility, CPsquare members communicate via Instant Message for informal contact, note-taking during meetings, and sending each other reminders. |
| Telephone | Call others, receive phone calls, and participate in telephone conferences, usually involving a phone call to the US. CPsquare has its own advanced phone bridge, so that you can use either Skype or a telephone to participate in a synchronous discussion. All CPsquare telephone conferences are recorded and are made available for members to listen to after wards. |
| MP3 software | You need software and hardware to listen to MP3 files if you want to participate after-the-fact.. |
Although we try to avoid technologies that require fast internet connections, CPsquare does rely on Internet connectivity and so fast connections are very helpful.
