Computer Cluster
Collaborative Workspaces & Tools FAQ

» General Usage Questions:
» General information about the collaborative workspaces & tools
» I've connected my laptop but the display does not show up on the monitor
» What URL are the images from the whiteboards uploaded to?

» TeamSpot Specific Questions:
» What is a TeamSpot?
» How do I connect to a TeamSpot?
» I'm being asked for an authorization code. Where do I find it?
» How do I transfer files between TeamSpot users?
» Where is the manual?

» 56-129 Specific Questions:
» How do I write on the whiteboard?
» How do I erase the whiteboard?
» How do I save my work to the web?
» Can I password protect my images on the web?
» How do I print my work?
» How do I use the projector?
» Can I connect my laptop to the whiteboard?
» What is the difference between merged and separate mode?

» W20-575 Specific Questions:
» How do I write on or erase the whiteboard?
» Can I stand in front of the whiteboard as an image is being captured
» How do I save my work to the web?
» How do I print my work?

General Usage Answers

I've connected my laptop but the display does not show on the monitor?

If you are using a Windows laptop you much enable the second monitor within the display settings control panel. You can do this by:

» Right-click on your desktop and select properties
» Click on the "settings" tab along the top
» Click on monitor "2"
» With monitor "2" selected, place a check in the box which says "Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor"
» Set an appropriate resolution, if necessary.

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To what URL are the images uploaded?

Both smart whiteboards have upload buttons to save to the web. Here they will be viewable by anyone on the net.

View image captures from the CopyCam in room W20-575D at:
http://W20-575d-copy-cam.mit.edu/

View image captures from the Impulse LTX in room 56-129 at:
http://m56-129-ltx.mit.edu/

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Teamspot Specific Questions:

What is a TeamSpot?

TeamSpot is an application which allows multiple users in a room to share a public screen and connect to each other. It facilitates easy file and idea transfer between team members.

There is some introductory documentation here (requires pdf reader).

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How do I connect to a TeamSpot?

If this is your fist time in a TeamSpot, you will need the client application. Download the applet from the appropriate host and follow the instructions that are displayed.

Baker House - http://baker-teamspot-1.mit.edu:8080 (MIT ONLY)
Burton-Conner House - http://burton-teamspot.mit.edu (MIT ONLY)
MacGregor House - http://mg-teamspot.mit.edu (MIT ONLY)
Warehouse - http://nw30-teamspot1.mit.edu (MIT ONLY)

If you already have the client, launch it and join the TeamSpot. You can find the vendor documentation here (requires pdf reader).

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I'm being asked for an authorization code. Where do I find it?

The code appears on the lower right corner of the shared screen, but does not always rise to the top. You may have to minimize several windows on the shared screen before you will see the authorization code.

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How do I transfer files between teamspot users?

First, find the Teamspot tray in the upper right corner of the screen. Drag the file you want to transfer onto the CrossWarp icon. This generates a list of users connected to the Teamspot. You can highlight any user or there is an option for all users. All transferred files are stored in a folder under <user>/my documents/tidebreak/received .

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Where can I find the teamspot manual?

You can find the manual here (requires pdf reader).

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56-129 Specific Questions:

LTX: How do I write on the whiteboard?

When working with the LTX whiteboard system, you should make sure that you are using the bar-coded dry erase markers and eraser that come with system. If you were to use a regular dry erase marker on the board, then no electronic information would be captured and as a result, you could not save or print the contents of the board.

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LTX: How do I erase the whiteboard?

While you can erase the dry erase marker content of the board with your finger or a regular towel, the electronic content will not be erased unless you use the bar-coded eraser. When the board is storing electronic content the red "In Use" light will be lit. Once you have completely erased the contents of the board with the bar-coded eraser, the green "Ready" light will be lit. If the board looks clean, but green light does not turn on, simply press the "Start" button to erase the board of all its electronic content.

If the whiteboard has dry erase marks on it when the start button is pressed, then those markings will be neglected when you do the next save or print.

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LTX: How do I save my work to the web?

When you are ready to save an image to the web, go to the control panel at the bottom of the board and press the "website/archive" button that has a picture of the earth on it. You will then hear a camera shutter noise and the button on the control panel will blink while your image is being saved. To view the images on the web (and download them into your account) point a web browser to http://m56-129-ltx.mit.edu. All saved images will appear on that page.

These are public images so anyone who types in the URL will be able to view the images. If you wish to delete your images after viewing and/or saving them to your account, place a check in the box of the images you wish to delete and click "delete selected" at the top of the image list. Clicking on the thumbnail of the image will englarge it.

Images that are not deleted will remain on the web until the internal memory is full. At that time the oldest images will be automatically deleted as newer ones are added.

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LTX: Can I password protect my images?

Yes

On the control panel you will see a button labeled "Password Protection." When in unsecure mode, images that are captured become available online to all. On the other hand, when in secure mode, a four digit access code will appear below the password protection button. All images captured at this point will only be accessible on the net with this code.

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LTX: How do I print my work?

You have two options for printing. You may print directly to a printer in the room by pressing the "Print" button on the control panel. When printing you will hear a voice prompt that says "one copy" and then the print button will blink until printing is finished. Alternatively, you may save your images to the web, download them into your account and print them via whatever mechanism you usually use to print your work.

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LTX: How do I use the projector?

To turn on the projector, press the power button on the remote control and wait for the projector to warm up. You can then switch between the archive of images stored on the net and your own laptop which you have the option of attaching. You can do this by selecting one of the two "Source" buttons on the control panel of the whiteboard.

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LTX: Can I connect my laptop to the whiteboard?

Yes

There are multiple connections that must be made for full functionality. A VGA cable connects your laptop to the projector. An audio plug allows you to output sound from your laptop to the speakers built into the LTX system. Finally, the USB port allows the whiteboard to interact with your laptop such that you can use the bar-coded dry erase markers (with their caps on) to move your mouse pointer.

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LTX: What is the difference between merged and separate mode?

You can save or print images that have been drawn onto the whiteboard as well as images that have been projected onto the whiteboard. When you are in separate mode, the projected image and drawn image will be kept separated. If you were to print, two distinct images would print. If you were to save, two distinct images would save. In merged mode on the other hand, the images are overlaid one on top of the other, and only one file would be saved or printed.

Keep in mind that merged mode does not work for Linux or Mac laptops.

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W20-575 Specific Questions:

CopyCam: How do I write on or erase the whiteboard?

You use this whiteboard just like a regular whiteboard. There is no need for any special sort of markers or erasers. Simply use standard dry-erase markers and erasers on this board. The only difference is that when you have finished writing, you have the option of saving or printing your board image. Other smart whiteboards may not be able to capture images with regular dry-erase markers.

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CopyCam: Can I stand in front of the whiteboard as an image is being captured?

When the capture button is pressed, it takes a few moments for the camera mounted above the whiteboard to capture the image on the screen. During this time, if you were to walk past the whiteboard briefly, the picture would turn out fine. If you were to block a particular section of the board from the camera's view for the whole time that the image is being captured, the CopyCam system will not capture all of the board's contents.

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CopyCam: How do I save my work to the web?

When you are ready to save an image to the web, go to the control panel at the left side of the board and press the hyperlink button "http://...". The automated voice will respond with "saving to web, please wait." After approximately 10 seconds the voice will respond with "captured." After another 30 seconds the voice will respond with "ready." This indicates that the image has been saved and the board is ready for another image. To view the images on the web (and download them into your account) point a web browser to http://w20-575d-copy-cam.mit.edu. All saved images will appear on that page.

These are public images so anyone who types in the URL will be able to view the images. If you wish to delete your images after viewing and/or saving them to your account, click on the trashcan icon at the bottom right of the image you wish to delete. Clicking on the magnifying glass icon will englarge it.

Images that are not deleted will remain on the web until the internal memory is full. At that time the oldest images will be automatically deleted as newer ones are added.

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CopyCam: How do I print my work?

You have two options for printing. You may print directly to a printer in the room by pressing the "Print" button on the control panel. Alternatively, you may save your images to the web, download them into your account and print them via whatever mechanism you usually use to print your work.

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last updated: 08.09.05