Gather.town

Gather is an 8-bit 2D video chat platform in which avatars move around a map using the arrow keys. As you get close to other avatars, video and audio from your computer will pop up and you will be able to chat. By moving your avatar around you can interact with objects and have one-on-one or small group conversations with those around you.

Poster sessions will take place in dedicated rooms, where posters will be pre-loaded and organized in numbered grids similar to an in-person conference. When your avatar walks onto darkened floor tiles in front of a poster, it enters a private space. The poster presenter and other attendees in the private space will be able to see and hear each other and not those in the neighboring spaces. Most decorative rugs in the lounge area also designate private spaces.

BATChem’s Gather space will be open to registrants starting on Monday, July 26. If you are a presenter, it is highly recommended that you visit the space a few days early to create your avatar, set your status, find your poster, practice using the pointer, and generally familiarize yourself with Gather.

NB: Gather is finnicky. It can trick you into thinking that everything is working because you can see and hear others--only to discover that they can't see and hear you! A few simple actions may help. First, Gather is supported only in Chrome and Firefox. A desktop app for Safari is in beta but works very well, and it is recommended that Mac users download and use the app. Gather is not optimized for mobiles or tablets. An overwhelming majority of technical issues in Gather are caused by browser/app issues. Second, Gather is a memory hog. Close as many apps on your desktop or laptop as possible before logging into Gather. Finally, be patient. Gather generally stabilizes for all users within a few minutes.

In addition to easels and posters, whiteboards and a few games will also be scattered throughout the space.

What you need:

• A desktop/laptop with a mic and camera. Gather is not supported on mobile devices or tablets.

• A web browser (Chrome or Firefox) or the desktop app in Safari.

• You may use headphones, although Air Pods can be problematic.

To use Gather:

• Go to the BATChem space and allow Gather to access your camera and microphone. Authenticate as necessary.

• Enter your full name. Customize your avatar. Join the gathering.

• Immediately click on your name at the bottom of the screen to further customize your profile:

1) enter your status and affiliation in the status field, e.g, GS Berkeley, PD Reno, PI Santa Cruz;

2) in User/Video Preferences, turn off HD video.

• Join the gathering and navigate through the space using your arrow keys. When you approach another avatar, you may enter a conversation.

• Interact with posters and other interactive (glowing) objects by pressing the “X” key.

• Use the presentation pointer on the far right side of your screen (grayed out icon of a person in front of a whiteboard shown below) to highlight specific portions of a poster and facilitate discussion. Any person interacting with a poster may use the pointer feature.

• Zoom in and out by using ctrl + or –. Use the zoom feature and resize your browser dimensions to accommodate an entire poster on your screen.

• Press “X” again to stop interacting with a poster or other object.

• Locate and chat functions may also be available.

• Visit the help desk in the garden if you need further assistance.