Topic: IDSA Public Hearing- Less Public by the Hour
Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
The IDSA's Public Hearing- Less Public by the Hour
The IDSA's hearing room is by ``invitation only'', which is already unacceptable to those who would like to attend in person.
To add insult to injury, those wishing to listen to the proceedings are being made to jump through a series of unnecessary hoops first.
The IDSA selected a service that requires two pieces of software to be installed on your computer (Windows Media Player and Microsoft Silverlight).
Concerns are that spyware can be downloaded during this installation process.
Major concerns have also been raised about being required to register prior to the event and the fact the registration process won't open until 20 minutes before the hearing is actually scheduled to begin.
Can thousands of people world wide register in that short time period without knocking out the system?
And why are we required to share our personal information with the IDSA in the first place?
If anything goes wrong the morning of July 30th, the IDSA recommends you send your email address and phone number to them and their ``experienced technical support staff will do its best to contact you ... within 24 business hours.''
This is simply not acceptable.
If the IDSA refuses to allow interested people to attend the hearings and also places all of these conditions on your ability to access a "public hearing"...
Then the Connecticut Attorney General's office should make arrangements to broadcast the hearing live, tape the proceedings and provide everyone access without having to register.
What can you do?
Contact the IDSA and the Connecticut Attorney General's office today and let them know that you want the hearing to be accessible to everyone on the internet- with no software downloads, no registration requirements and no other restriction on viewing or using the information.
The IDSA has futzed up a number of opportunities in the past..With their ill-conceived media and PR announcements after any headline with "Lyme" in it ....Has anyone else ever seen any major announcements regarding any diseases other than Lyme with them?
Is it too much to ask, that with the AG's pressure,the media spotlight,and all of our eyes on them, that they'll actually get it right this time?
Joe
Posts: 249 | From Northern NJ | Registered: Jul 2005
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posted
Has there been any word on the discussions between Ms. Johnson and the CT AG?
And alternative means of viewing?
I would love to camp out and watch this show all day -- but hate the idea of the IDSA having all my info.
Posts: 845 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2006
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posted
IDSA posted a message on their website today dated July 27th. They are streaming live on their website the Hearing that day and the Hearing will be archived so you can watch at your convenience.
Originally they noted on their website that they would show the Hearing....however, today they are saying that you need to register. Then they check your computer to see if you have the tools to see and hear it.
-------------------- nan Posts: 2135 | From Tick Country | Registered: Oct 2000
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canbravelyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9785
posted
OK Boyz and Gurlz,
I just got off the phone with technical support.
I've previously been unable to run Silverlight on my Apple PPC computer running OS 10.4.11, and this was no exception.
Here is a workaround for those having difficulties getting the webcast to run.
Windows Media Player:
Find "Windows Media Player" on your computer (it will be in your programs (or applications if you're on a Mac) folder. If you can't find it, do a "Search" function and type in "Windows Media Player" (no quotes)
if you do not have Windows Media Player installed, then download it here:
Follow the instructions to install Windows Media Player.
Open Windows Media Player. Under one of the menus there will be an option, "Open URL" (or something to that effect).
Type in this direct link to the test:
mms://webcastmedia.you-niversity.com/Wizard
You should see the broadcast stream after a few seconds (or longer, depending on the speed of your computer).
For those of us who use QuickTime, and prefer not to use Windows Media Player:
Launch QuickTime. Under the File Menu, select: Open URL
Type in this direct link to the test stream:
mms://webcastmedia.you-niversity.com/Wizard
If nothing happens , the stream does not play,�or you get an error message stating that this media type is not supported,�you will need to install "Windows Media Components for Quicktime", which is called, "Flip4Mac":
Re-launch Quicktime, and as before: Under the File Menu, select: Open URL and type in:
mms://webcastmedia.you-niversity.com/Wizard
If this still doesn't work for you, contact technical support.
I have been assured by the technical support rep that a separate direct link to the webcast will be provided on the IDSA website for those of us who cannot use Silverlight. This alternate link should be clearly labeled, "For those who cannot run Silverlight or who are having difficulties accessing the webcast through their browsers", or something to that effect.
I've also been told that the address for the direct link will be written out�with instructions to "copy and paste" for those of us whose media players do not launch directly from a link.
If this is the case for your browser, or you're having difficulties:
Copy the address for the direct link to the webcast stream.
Launch Windows Media Player or Quicktime Player - the player which you successfully viewed the test stream.
In the "Open URL" dialogue box, paste the address to the actual webcast.
Best wishes,
CBL.
-------------------- For medical advice related to Lyme disease, please see an ILADS physician. Posts: 1494 | From Getting there... | Registered: Aug 2006
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sizzled
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1357
posted
Thanks, CBL.
I am going to try this as Silverlight does not load in my computer.
Posts: 4258 | From over there | Registered: Jul 2001
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
"Has there been any word on the discussions between Ms. Johnson and the CT AG? And alternative means of viewing?"
Not yet.
From what I can tell, it is their way or the highway. It is doubtful the AG can put together a new way to view the process on such short notice.
He may be able to fix the personal registration info requirements the IDSA is asking for.... but not sure yet.
But..
I am waiting to hear back.... so there is always a slight chance.
In the meantime... you might want to do something to be sure you can view it... like download all the stuff needed.
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