Information Services Team Blog

Jitsi Meet video conferencing platform, meet.jit.si (https://meet.jit.si/) is a free and open source video conference application. No additional software installation is required. Although it runs in most browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari), it works best in Chrome.

If you are using a mobile device, you must download the Jitsi app. Depending on your device, select the appropriate app:

Apple:       https://apps.apple.com/us/app/jitsi-meet/id1165103905
Android:    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.jitsi.meet
F-Droid:     https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.jitsi.meet/

If calling in, an app is not needed. However, caller must tap *67 first (to ensure their phone number is not displayed) before tapping the meeting number and password/PIN.

Instructions and Information for Participants

1. Click on the Jitsi link or copy/paste the link to Chrome. For those who wish to call in, dial the number given. Remember to dial *67 first to ensure your number is not displayed.
2. Enter the password to the meeting if there is one. For those who are calling in, enter the password/PIN to the meeting.
3. Click Allow access if your browser request permission to access your computer’s camera and microphone. Video is optional but you will not be able to verbally participate in the discussion if you do not allow access to your microphone.
   Enable your camera if you wish but turning it off allows for better reception for all.

What to expect

1. When you enter the Jitsi Meeting Room, Staff will ensure there are no technical issues experienced
2. You will receive a brief overview of the features of Jitsi
3. Use the Chat Box or hand if you are experiencing any issues and would like to speak next.
4. Another Staff will monitor the chat for questions or comments about Jitsi throughout the meeting and assist with troubleshooting any technical issues.

How to use Jitsi

At the bottom of the screen in Jitsi you will see 9 icons, see below for a screen shot.  Each icon will be explained from left to right.

1. TV screen: Click on the icon when you want to share your screen.
2. Hand: Click on the hand to indicate you would like to say something/when you wish to speak.
3. Chat bubble: Click to type a question in the group chat. Everyone in the call will see your message.
4. Microphone: Click on the microphone icon to mute or unmute yourself. When you are muted you will see a diagonal line through the icon. To unmute, click the icon again and the line will disappear.
5. Telephone: Click on the telephone icon to leave the meeting.
6. Camera: Click on the camera icon to turn it on or off.
7. Tiles: This icon toggle off tile view. This will shift the other participants to the left side of the screen so more of the middle part of the screen will be visible.
8. i; This information icon shows the video conference information.
9. 3 Dot Menu: This icon list the Jitsi settings. Do not change any of these settings.
10. Arrow: Click > to minimize the participant tiles further.
    

Troubleshooting

• Sharp echoing/pinging sounds. This is due to having more than one Jitsi meeting window open and/or using more than one device to log into the Jitisi meeting. 
  What to do: Close extra Jitsi windows; mute microphone; log off extra devices; only use one device

• Camera and/or microphone does not work 
  What to do: Click on camera; click on microphone. Go to your device settings and allow access to your cameral and microphone.

• Message “It looks like you’re using a browser we don’t support”
  What to do: Use Chrome or Mozilla Firefox Browser. Note: TOR is OK to use

• Message “You need Jitsi Meet to join .. on your mobile … Download the App, etc.” 
  What to do: Download the appropriate app for your device.

• Meting members seem to be in different ‘room’ despite using the same link. 
  What to do: Close the Jitsi meeting i.e. click on the Telephone icon to leave the meeting, close the Chrome browser, then open another Chrome browser and paste the link. Check the link for – if link has an added %20 at the end of the url, remove it.

Last updated May 6, 2020