The company providing the video chat has changed policies and requires a moderator. Anyone can be the moderator. The first person that connects to the room will automatically be the room moderator - so if you click to join the room and it doesn't just let you join - go ahead and join and you will be moderator for that session. We ask that you please not abuse the "power" and simply let everyone do their thing if you are the mod. If this becomes a problem and someone abuses the ability we'll look for another solution - so keep me posted if you start having issues with this new way of doing it.
THE SERVER ADDRESS CHANGED - PLEASE NOTE THE NEW LINK - IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING ELSE BOOKMARKED IT WILL NO LONGER WORK!
We had to change things slightly - so please re-read this post - the address of the chat room has changed and the app is different - it's still a "Jitsi" server but the web address of the chat room and the app is different - sorry you may have to download 8x8 app (link below) for it to work on
your phone (for some people it will just work on your phone without installing the app or anything so give it a try first) - from a desktop computer you do not need to download or install anything (and as of 11/24/23 many phones it will now just work without installing anything or doing anything special - better!)
It's an 8x8 meeting room (similar to Zoom)
just go to
https://meet.jit.si/newart
<--- this is the updated urlLet us know what you think - if it works well maybe we'll get a server of our own for it.
You can do it from a computer web browser or you can download the 8x8 app for Android or Iphone to join the meeting (app links below).
You do not need to sign in if using the app - just select "Join/Start meeting as guest" If the app asks for the name of the room just type in Newart.
Also you don't have to install the app to use it on your phone in all cases - not sure how it works on Iphone (maybe someone can let us know) but if your phone browser lets you "request desktop version" in the settings - as it does on the Android version of Chrome then you can join the video chat
right from Chrome without having to install the app - easy!
below is a screenshot of the setting on my Android phone in Chrome browser to request "Desktop Mode".
if you don't request the desktop mode then the phone will instead prompt you to download the app - which also works (and may work better than doing it in the browser)
Here is a link to the 8x8 Iphone app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/8x8-video-meetings/id1473422060
Remember -you do not need to sign in - just select "Join/Start meeting as guest" when the app asks the room name enter "Newart" -
(screen shot of app screen below )
