Inland Northwest Falun Dafa

NEW Sonant Version Recommended – July 4, 2012

Page last updated 7/29/12

Sonant is used for voice conferencing, and has replaced Teamspeak. Please review the security reminders prior to use, especially if you use Windows XP.

NEWS: On July 1, 2012, Sonant (v1.1.5.6) quit working for most users, presenting a large code-type message. There was no warning, and no communication about why this occurred.

Update 7/3/12: The problems seen on July 1-2 seem to have subsided, as most Sonant users are no longer seeing the issue. In the meantime some Sonant servers are being actively upgraded to the newest revision. The Blue icon version will be required to connect to these, so it would be wise to upgrade your Sonant installation at this time.

To continue using Sonant, all users should download the “new” version. After installing the new version you will have two Sonant icons:

1. Blue icon (v1.2.3)- For use with newly updated Sonant servers. Use if your project coordinator indicates this is necessary.
2. Green icon (v1.1.8) – Use to connect to your existing Sonant conferences.

Download New Version

Windows 7/Vista/XP: http://sonant.edoors.com/download/Sonant-1.2.3-en.msi

Mac OS X: http://sonant.edoors.com/download/Sonant-1.2.3.dmg

Install New Version

Windows: First, uninstall the old Sonant program. Next, double-click the newly downloaded program, and follow the installation wizard.

Mac: Delete any existing Sonant icon from your Applications folder. Also, drag the Sonant icon off of your dock. Now double-click the newly downloaded Sonant file. Drag both the Green and the Blue icons into your Applications folder.

Run New Version for the First Time (Blue or Green icons)

Sonant leads you through a setup wizard the first time you run it. Please read each screen carefully, and adjust the sliders as instructed. Pay special attention to the following:

- Check mark “Enable echo cancellation”
- Un-check “Enable positional audio”
- Specify a “Push-to-Talk” key –> Click in this field, then tap the Control key. Then continue on from this screen.

Set Push-to-Talk Key

After installing Sonant, make sure your Push-to-Talk key works. To do this, log in to a Sonant server, and double-click a room name to enter a room. Make sure you are not muted (no mute flag appears in Sonant window). Now press your Control key (which was set as your Push-to-Talk key in the last step). The lips next to your name should turn red as you hold down the Control key. If not, follow these instructions:

Blue and Green versions: Press: Configure–>Settings–>Shortcuts (On Mac computers press: Sonant–>Preferences–>Shortcuts)

• Look for the shortcut as in the image below. If it does not appear, click Add.
• Now click on the word “Unassigned” which just appeared to display the drop-down menu.
• Select “Push-to-Talk” from this drop down menu.
• Now click just below the “Shortcut” column heading (you’ll see the words “Press Shortcut” appear)
• Now tap your Control key. The “Shortcut” field should now say “Control,” just like the image below.
• Press OK to finish.

Green version difference: After clicking the Control key, the “Shortcut” field will say “K:Ctrl” (on Windows computers) when properly set.

Note: If there are two shortcuts, delete one of them (use the “Remove” button). After setting the key properly, the screen should look like this:


Connect to Server

When you run Blue Sonant, you will see a list of servers. This list will be blank the first time you run it. You will need to add a server to get started.

Press “Add New…” and fill in the details as shown in the image below.

Note: The password prompt does not appear when you initially add a server to the Blue version of Sonant.

• Enter the info, similar to what is shown below, then press OK.
• Now… press CONNECT. You will then be prompted for the password (after you press CONNECT). The password will be saved and will not need to be entered again.

The first time you connect, you will see a security certificate warning. Click OK or Yes. It will not re-appear.

Adjust the window size and column widths so you can see the Name and Flags columns (only necessary on Green version).


Operation

After the initial installation and configuration use Sonant as follows:

1. Load  Sonant
2. If the server list isn’t visible, press SERVER, CONNECT
3. Click on the desired server, then click CONNECT
4. To speak, simply hold down the Ctrl key and talk. The “lips” icon next to your name will turn RED while you’re speaking
5. Note: Watch the left-side of the window for messages sent during a conference.
6. Make sure your mic is not too close to your mouth. It should be level with your mouth, but positioned away to avoid breath noise.

When you temporarily leave, press the Mic button:  to mute yourself (or press Audio > Mute). This puts an icon next to your name that shows others that you’re not there (or that you’re not back from SFRT), and they will know to skip you during the reading or discussion.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.

INSTALLATION COMPLETE!