TexasCHLforum.com

I tested the wireless Internet connection at PSC and it's not remotely fast enough for me to offer a video conference of the upcoming Texas Self-Defense & Deadly Force Laws Seminar. In fact, it's the slowest I've seen since dial-up days. Oh well, . . .

Chas.

Beiruty wrote:
Charles L. Cotton wrote:
TexasCajun wrote:Dang! Missed the first one, but I'll definitely be on board for the next one. Will there be a podcast or some other recorded version of last night's conference available?
I didn't record this first one; it was as much a test of the service/software and it was a discussion. I need to learn now to change the "spotlight" without muting everyone's audio and there are a few other things I want to tweak for the regular monthly conferences. If possible, I want to have a "producer" to handle those duties so I can focus solely on the discussion. It's quite likely that I'll broadcast the Texas Self-Defense & Deadly Force Laws Seminar that I'm doing at PSC in January. Obviously, this presumes that the bandwidth testing at the Club proves we can support video conferencing. Since the stream is going through Zoom.us' server, we don't have to be able to support that load, but we do need sufficient bandwidth to send and receive video and audio without interruption.

Thanks to everyone who participated and helped with the testing.
Chas.
I contacted zoom.us for the spotlight issue and they recommended to get their latest software version. I assume that the quality of the group microphone and the background noise at each meeting site would dictate the quality of this feature.

Thanks for checking it out. I've installed the update and I'll test it later this week.

Thanks again,
Chas.

TexasCajun wrote:Dang! Missed the first one, but I'll definitely be on board for the next one. Will there be a podcast or some other recorded version of last night's conference available?

I didn't record this first one; it was as much a test of the service/software and it was a discussion. I need to learn now to change the "spotlight" without muting everyone's audio and there are a few other things I want to tweak for the regular monthly conferences. If possible, I want to have a "producer" to handle those duties so I can focus solely on the discussion. It's quite likely that I'll broadcast the Texas Self-Defense & Deadly Force Laws Seminar that I'm doing at PSC in January. Obviously, this presumes that the bandwidth testing at the Club proves we can support video conferencing. Since the stream is going through Zoom.us' server, we don't have to be able to support that load, but we do need sufficient bandwidth to send and receive video and audio without interruption.

Thanks to everyone who participated and helped with the testing.
Chas.

MeMelYup wrote:Gun safety program in Texas schools. Should it be required?

I like that!

Chas.

The video conference is on and it's now open to people registering without a group. CLICK HERE to register and remember, you have to log in to see the conference listed as an event. Log in using Username: TFCregister and Password: 2013register.

I'll send an email with the "invitation" information for getting into the conference. You will need a webcam and some form of microphone. You can use a call-in phone number if you like. Remember, you'll be asked to load the Zoom.us software but it's free. You can do that either before you log into the conference, or as part of the login process. Here's the link if you want to do it before 7:30pm tomorrow: http://zoom.us/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Regards,
Chas.

Thus far, only two people have registered a location. It's looking like Dec. 5th will be too soon and too close to Christmas shopping season. If it won't cause MoJo and Beiruty a problem, I will reschedule it for January. Guys, please let me know.

Even if we reschedule it, I'd like to do a test of the service with as many different locations as possible.

Thanks,
Chas.

UPDATE:

Now I'm going to sound like a politician. After further consideration, I believe trying to limit the discussion in the first video conference to open-carry is a mistake. That's too narrow a focus as there's just not that much to say. We need to be able to cover my topics, perhaps in a format like Fox News' "lightening round" except without the very short time limit on each topic.

Also, some folks believe the Dec. 5th date is too soon and that planning it in January will allow more people to attend and it will give us more time to promote the event. I tend to agree and would like your input.

So instead of giving me questions, let's get a list of topics people would like to see covered. During the conference people will be able to text specific questions. I'll start by listing some topics that come to mind.

Chas.

TOPICS:
Open-carry
Reducing off-limits areas for CHLs
How does the "gun community" recruit more people to obtain a CHL?

RKirkwood wrote:Charles,

Is there going to be a listing of where the conference going to be at? I definitely want to attend but not sure where. I'm in Katy but will drive to where ever it is in Houston.

Thanks,
Bob

I'll post locations when I have more people registering as hosts.

Thanks for asking,
Chas.

That helps a lot, thanks.

Chas.

E.Marquez wrote:
Charles L. Cotton wrote:We need to decide on a format for the conference and the fact that it will be on video will influence that decision. I'd like to get input from folks now so we can put something together by Dec. 5th.

This is not something that is a lecture with questions from the floor. It needs to be more of a roundtable, but we need to decide on how to put questions and speakers in que. The system allows all participants to send text messages to specific participants or to everyone and that can be used to take questions during the conference. I also think we should take questions in advance so we can have those lined up to begin the conference and not have to wait for questions to come in by text. We can publish those questions/topics so people can prepare and to prevent several people from texting the same questions.

There are also settings that will allow the system to automatically "feature" the site speaking, but depending upon the size of the group at various locations, this could be problematic. Ambient noise in a room may cause problems trying to use the automatic feature mode. We won't know until the conference. The alternative method is to "manually" select the speaker from the administrator console.

I'm going to open a thread in the TFC sub-forum to be used for submitting questions and topics for discussion. Anyone can submit a question or topic even if you will not be participating in the conference.

Chas.
Mr Cotton,
I have used video Teleconferencing (VTC) quite extensively in my job.. On both propriety systems only available to the military, and commercially available ones used in the business community.
When dealing with a large (more then 3-5 nodes) "untrained" audience, (a group that does not have a weekly reoccurring VTC, will be considered "untrained or experienced)

I commonly used three people to control the flow of the meeting.
1:Main presenter... or moderator
2:Main permissions ("voice") controller. (watching in incoming "voice " requests, giving and taking "voice" permissions as needed to control the flow)
3:Secondary observer with no other tasks than to watch the incoming voice permissions requests, track who has asked what and if they received a response..and prompt a distant node that a question or statement was made which they can/should provide a response to.
These three people are seated and in direct communication with each other ideally, though I have done it remotely with folks I've worked with before and using a secondary comms path.
(NOTE: #1&2 can be the same person if the presenter can manipulate the system efficiently while folwoing the VTC format, Q&A, and conversations in chat, voice, side bars in the room)
With these new, or untrained groups I used a manual "voice" permissions mode.. The presenter stated a topic, question ect.. those that were required to respond sent a "chat" when ready.. or those desiring to respond sent a "chat" when ready.

The ask, pause, respond all in manual mode worked well, it dealt with latency issues that become very confusing when a distant node viewer "thinks" no one else is talking, so starts up,,, only to actually be talking over another presenter on the line already.
It worked well to help get responses from nodes that may not have heard the question or topic.

The open mic free for all works very well in smaller groups of users (1~5) who are experienced and familiar with the system in use, the procedure and format of the VTC, and know the limitations of the system (latency or one or more nodes).

The Automatic voice mode works well for nodes that are well disciplined, have dedicated VTC locations free of distractions and stray noise. They become very confusing when those conditions are not met in my experience.

Hope that in some way helps....

Respectfully

We need to decide on a format for the conference and the fact that it will be on video will influence that decision. I'd like to get input from folks now so we can put something together by Dec. 5th.

This is not something that is a lecture with questions from the floor. It needs to be more of a roundtable, but we need to decide on how to put questions and speakers in que. The system allows all participants to send text messages to specific participants or to everyone and that can be used to take questions during the conference. I also think we should take questions in advance so we can have those lined up to begin the conference and not have to wait for questions to come in by text. We can publish those questions/topics so people can prepare and to prevent several people from texting the same questions.

There are also settings that will allow the system to automatically "feature" the site speaking, but depending upon the size of the group at various locations, this could be problematic. Ambient noise in a room may cause problems trying to use the automatic feature mode. We won't know until the conference. The alternative method is to "manually" select the speaker from the administrator console.

I'm going to open a thread in the TFC sub-forum to be used for submitting questions and topics for discussion. Anyone can submit a question or topic even if you will not be participating in the conference.

Chas.

jmra wrote:I don't have a group so I don't want to take a spot but I am interested in hearing the discussion. Any chance the session will be recorded and made available for replay to forum members?

I can and will record it, but I've done that once before and the format is something I don't recognize. I'm going to record it with Camptasia this time and it should work.

The group idea may not work out and if not, people are going to be able to register individually. Large groups would be great, but 4 or 5 people will mean a lot more than 25 people can participate.

Chas.

Beiruty wrote:I am down. I can provide an an 18" quad core laptop with C920 web cam.

Great. I hope we can get folks from all over the State.

Chas.

Okay, I'm a little faster than I thought. Registration is open at TFCregister. You will have to log in with Username: TFCregister and Password: 2013register.

You must use your real name, not a screen name, but that information will not be published. We are limited to 24 locations.

Thanks,
Chas.

The first Texas Firearms Coalition/TexasCHLforum video conference will be held on Thursday, Dec. 5th beginning at 7:30pm. I have plans for regular video conferences and this first one will be a test of the service I'm using called Zoom.us.

I can have 25 locations connected at one time, so we can have 24 besides my location. (That may or may not be at PSC Shooting Club. I have to test our download/upload speed.) There will be no charge for this video conference, but I do want people to register only if they can have several people attend at their location. It doesn't have to be a formal conference room; it could be your office, living room, or back patio if you like. If we have any slots open the day before the conference, then those can be taken by individuals who will not be able to host a group.

Here is a link to the system requirements: https://support.zoom.us/entries/2144044 ... quirements" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; You will have to download the Zoom software, but it's free and I have it on 3 machines without any problems.

You must have a webcam to participate as we want to be able to see one another when they are speaking. I use a Logictech C920 webcam and it's great! I've never seen video quality equal to that camera. This camera is especially good for folks who don't have computers with fast processors and/or a lot of memory, because it does the video processing internally. I paid $75 on Amazon. I strongly suggest that you do not rely upon the built-in microphone and do something else. I use a Plantronics Audio 655 DSP headset, but you can use any mic. If you have a group, consider a wired USB mike you can pass around.

The topic for this conference will be open-carry. (Yeah I know, I'm crazy.) I'll decide the format as we get closer to the conference date and it will be emailed to everyone who registers for a location. Registration will be at http://www.TexasShooting.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and I'll open it later this week when I get caught up at the office.

Let's face it, this topic will be high on emotion with some folks and that's fine. Just remember that Forum rules apply. I don't want anyone having to exit the conference because their kids or wife hear something offensive.

This should be fun folks.
Chas.

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