Welcome to Dylan@80!
We’re excited for the three days of panels, keynotes, performances, and more that are ahead – and eager to have you join actively in this virtual gathering.
Joining the Team
The entire event will be hosted through Microsoft Teams, which allows us to offer more interactivity than might normally be available for streamed events. Shortly after receiving this message, you will also receive an automated invitation to join the Dylan@80 Virtual Conference. (Check your spam filter if you don’t see it.) Please open it and follow the instructions. You will need to create and confirm a Microsoft account if you do not already have one.
After creating an account, you will be able to access the conference site (called a “team”). You can do this either by downloading the Teams app and logging in or accessing it through a web browser. Once you have entered the team, you’ll find links on the left (called “channels”) to every session as well as a “lounge” for general discussion and a help desk with some screencasts and tips about using Teams.
Using Channels to Find Content
By default, most of these channels are hidden. To display all the channels, select “hidden channels” and then “show” if you want them to be permanently visible. (You can find a screencast explaining how to do this step-by-step in the Help Desk channel.)
We are opening this site a few days ahead of the event’s start so that you have ample time to join, test out the technology and get familiar with the interface. Please feel free to explore the space and, if you would like, introduce yourself or start a conversation in the Lounge. You can also access the welcome message from Sean Latham by clicking on the first channel, “1. Welcome Message from Director.”
When the conference begins on Saturday, you will be able to join the live sessions by selecting the channel for each session. Inside, you’ll find a description of the event and the live event link. Just click the link to begin streaming.
In the General channel, you will find announcements from the conference organizers, daily updates, and links to a bookstore (with discounts on select books featured at the conference) and merch shop where you can order custom conference t-shirts and stickers. It is a good idea to check this channel at the start of each day.
Questions and Posts
While a session is streaming live, you will be able to ask a question by entering it into the Q&A box in the interface. You will not be able to turn on your camera or microphone. After the live stream concludes, we will open the session channel to all conference participants for text-based discussion. Think of this as the coffee station in the hallway where you can ask questions, make comments, and engage in general discussion with others at the conference. The speakers may also choose to participate in the conversation. Please keep in mind that these are public channels and we ask that you engage with one another respectfully and generously.
Recordings
All the live sessions will be recorded. It takes the system a little while to process the videos, but as soon as the recordings are ready, a link will be posted in the Video Library at top of the General channel. (To access this, select the General channel and locate the link at the top of the window under the purple ribbon.) You will also be able to access the videos via each channel. All registered participants will be able to stream these videos for at least 90 days after Dylan@80 concludes.
Getting Help
If you are having difficulty, please review the FAQ in the Help Desk and the other videos. We have a small but dedicated staff here at the Institute that has been working hard the past few months to bring you this event and the opportunity to create a virtual community. They are here to help and can be reached via email at bobdylaninstitute@utulsa.edu.
Best wishes,
The Bob Dylan Institute