OCTOBER 22nd - NOVEMBER 9th, 2001

Login to Workshop

Q. How will this online workshop work? Do I need to show up at a certain time?

A. The NASA-JPL Ocean Envoys online workshop will last for three weeks. An online workshop on the Web is modeled after face-to-face workshops and attempts to incorporate many of the same components, such as keynote speaker segments, breakout sessions, a cafe for informal chat and networking, a Web-library with a resource center, an interactive participant directory, and an open space forum where participants can create and facilitate their own discussion topics. All materials gathered and posted during the NASA-JPL Ocean Envoys workshop will remain accessible throughout the entire three week period and may be held in an archive for later review. . There will also be a Help Desk for technical support in the conference space.

Features are scheduled over a period of time such as days or a week, instead of hours to allow participants from all over the globe time to access and respond. Participants can check in and look at the dialogue any time that is convenient for them, since this is an asynchronous event.

Q. The NASA-JPL Ocean Envoys online workshop is planned from Monday January 22nd through to Friday February 9th, 2001. Can people join the online activities after the start date?

A. Yes! The NASA-JPL Ocean Envoys online workshop will be ongoing from day one...and...there will be new topics, new presenters, new sessions, and new features all the way until the end. It will be easy to catch up and join in a discussion even if it started days or weeks ago.

Q. Will I be able to introduce my own agenda?

A. You will be able to introduce a topic of your interest in the Open Space area. All participants have the option of starting a new item in the Open Space area. This is also true for the Social Area, though not true for the rest of the workshop spaces.

Q. Will you use a variety of media such as Audio Conferencing, or Streaming Video?

A. Yes, and you will need the Real Networks Player to see some of the presentations. Please download it now from http://www.real.com if you do not have it on your computer. However, the main media used is asynchronous conferencing where someone starts a conversation by posting in writing and then everyone that arrives after the posting can respond. Posts are made in order of time posted so the result is much like a real dialogue. Discussion items are separated by subject and the person featured so it's automatically organized and archived as well. We will however be introducing other media such as real audio and possibly video streaming. Our software allows uploading of images and other media files, so basically anything you can do on the Web you can do here!

Q. What are some guidelines for appropriate participation in an online workshop on the Web?

A. It's as simple as this: be thoughtful to other participants. We are building a community of learners here. We expect many diverse perspectives, experiences, and insights. This will enrich our discussions and overall learning over the course of the workshop. Be yourself, share your knowledge, and have fun. The only thing that your hosts will not accept is hostile and obscene language, but we're confident that participants will use their good judgment and we expect this environment to be friendly and supportive to everyone involved.

Q. Who will be able to access the NASA-JPL Ocean Envoys workshop and see our conversations?

A. The NASA-JPL Ocean Envoys Online Workshop takes place entirely in a password protected Web site. You must be registered to receive a Login Username and Password, and only those who have registered will be allowed into the site.

Q. What is required in order to be able to participate?

A. Time, commitment, energy and you will need a browser and access to the World Wide Web. The minimum browser required is Netscape 3.1 or Internet Explore 3.02 or higher. If you use AOL, you need version 3.0 or higher.