RIPE 81

How to Participate

RIPE 81 is virtual – and that means you can participate in all the sessions without leaving your comfy armchair!

This virtual meeting will use Meetecho as the main platform for remote participation. All sessions will use this platform and as an attendee, you will be able to chat and ask questions, both in writing and using your microphone.

You can also follow sessions on our livestream but there will not be any discussion or chat on that page. Chat is available only on Meetecho.

Here’s a quick guide to how you can register, view presentations, ask questions and interact with other participants.

As always in a virtual environment, we recommend using a headset for better audio quality and, if you need to use your camera, to have a good lighting for better video quality.

How to Register

If you would like to participate in RIPE 81, register here. Once you have registered, your name will automatically be shown on the attendee list.

A few days before the meeting, you will receive an email that contains your unique link to connect to Meetecho. This link is unique to you and you can use the same link all week long to access all the RIPE 81 sessions. Please bookmark or save this link for easy access.

Important: The first name and last name that you register with will be displayed when you connect to Meetecho using your unique link. If at any time you want to change the name used on your registration, please email meeting [at] ripe [dot] net.

The profile picture displayed in Meetecho is taken from the Gravatar service based on the email used during the registration process (if available). If you want to change the picture and/or remove it, you will have to do that in Gravatar directly.

How to View Presentations

You can view all the sessions and participate using Meetecho. Alternatively, you can also follow the livestream on the RIPE 81 website, however you cannot ask questions or join the chat discussion. Chat and Q&A are available on Meetecho only.

You can keep track of the sessions by using the Meeting Plan. The Meeting Plan is dynamic, simply click on a session to view information. Please note that the times are all in UTC+1.

How to Use Meetecho

By clicking on your unique link, you will enter the platform as ‘Participant’ with the name entered during registration. There is no client to install. Meetecho can be used directly on any desktop WebRTC-enabled web browser. Many Meetecho features are available on mobile browsers that support WebRTC but a mobile-friendly user interface is still in development and screen sharing is not supported on mobile devices.

You can also leave the meeting at any time and join it again later by using the same link received by email.

The platform will allow you to:

  • View the presentations
  • View the live transcription
  • Use the chat (also to send 1:1 messages)
  • Ask questions using Sli.do, which is embedded in the platform
  • Ask questions using the microphone

Please avoid using Safari to run Meetecho as far as possible as some features might not function as expected.

How to Ask a Question

There are two ways to ask questions at RIPE 81:

  1. Virtual Mic: Request the floor by clicking on the microphone icon. If the time is right, the session chair will grant you audio, so you can ask your question and/or make a comment. Remember to mute your mic after asking the question to avoid interference from background noise. Always state your name and affiliation before asking a question.
  2. Sli.do: If you prefer to ask your question in writing, click the Q&A icon in the menu bar and then click the ‘Ask’ button to write a question. TIP: Write your name and affiliation in the name field so that they appear automatically before your question.

We recommend reading the Meetecho Guide for additional details about:

  • Specific browsers and extensions
  • Chat functionality
  • Poll
  • Troubleshooting
  • Interface

How to Network

You might not be meeting your fellow attendees in person, but you can still network effectively:

  • SpatialChat: This is the virtual coffee break area. It’s open during meeting hours from Tuesday to Friday and it is open for RIPE 81 attendees only. The RIPE 81 SpatialChat guidelines are available here. To join the space, please use the following link. You have already received the password required to join in the email with the subject ‘Your registration for RIPE 81’.
    https://spatial.chat/s/ripe81
  • The RIPE Networking app: You can schedule meetings with fellow attendees on the app, exchange messages and meet them virtually on the platform of your choice. Read here for more information.
  • Attendee list: View the list of attendees who’ve agreed to share their contact details here. You need to have a RIPE NCC Access account to contact with them. The list will show a green tick mark next to the names of the people who have actually checked in at the meeting. The check in option is available during the meeting week on your personal registration page.

Any contact details shared are intended to enhance networking opportunities between attendees and should not be used for commercial purposes.

If you have any questions about participating remotely, please reach out to us on meeting [at] ripe [dot] net