Welcome Wagon Guide

Welcome Wagon Guide

Hello!

We’re your Welcome Wagon, and we’re glad you’re attending Write the Docs! We realize a virtual conference might be totally new to you. This guide will help you navigate it, even if you’ve been to a Write the Docs conference before.

Whether this is your first Write the Docs conference, or your first virtual Write the Docs conference, we’ll be here to help you make the most of it. We’d love to virtually meet you: feel free to reach out in Chat at the virtual conference if we can help make your time at the conference easier. You can also email us at prague@writethedocs.org.

Where to get help

Conference Intro and Tour

Join our Conference Intro and Tour by going to Sessions and selecting Conference Intro and Tour. Times are listed in the schedule. Your Welcome Wagon will take you on a tour of the virtual conference platform and show you how to navigate the conference. Learn tips and tricks, meet other attendees, and get to know how the conference works. This session is open to everyone, whether this is your first conference or your fifth.

Guides

You can prepare for the conference by reading through this guide. Don’t worry if you forget any of it – there will be a recording you can watch in the Helpdesk booth. Select Expo > Helpdesk to watch it anytime.

You can also watch the video directly from our YouTube channel.

Helpdesk

Have a look at the FAQ section we put together based on questions we got at previous conferences.

If you still have questions, reach out the Welcome Wagon staff at the Helpdesk anytime. Select Expo > Helpdesk > Chat and enter your question. A member of the Welcome Wagon will be online during conference hours to help you.

Message organisers

If you want to contact one of the conference organizers, go to the People tab, select the Filter icon, and select Organisers. Select an Organiser and start typing your question. You can also email us at prague@writethedocs.org.

Slack

We’ll also be posting important conference updates on the #wtd-conferences channel in Slack. For example, if there are technical issues, we’ll share the back-up stream link there as well.

Reception: Your home base

Once you enter the virtual conference, you’ll be at Reception. You can view Reception as your home base for the conference. There’s a schedule, a list of events happening now, and helpful reminders about what you can do at the conference.

Don’t be afraid to explore! You won’t interrupt anything by looking around.

Conference talks and Q&A

  • There’s a talk schedule on the Reception page and on the Write the Docs website. Select the Calendar icon next to the talks you want to see on the Reception page to add them to your calendar.
  • When it’s time for a talk you want to see, select Stage. Press play to start the stream.
  • If we have problems with the online platform, we will set up a back-up stream. If turned on, we will post links to the back-up stream in the conference chat and on the conference Slack channel.
  • After a talk, feel free to tweet about it with the hashtag #writethedocs.

Asking questions

To attend the moderated Q&A after each talk, go to Sessions and select the Q&A session.

  • Enter your questions into the Chat channel (always on the right-hand side of any page) prefixed with “Q:“, and the moderator will ask the speaker for you.
  • Make sure the Session toggle is on for the Chat, so your question will be seen by the moderator.
  • Due to time constraints, we might not be able to get to all of your questions. If your question isn’t asked live, chat with the speaker later and make a connection!

Watching talks after the conference

Don’t worry if you miss something in a talk! Stage talks and Q&A sessions are recorded. Videos will be published in the Write the Docs Video Archive shortly after the conference (typically about a week after the conference ends). To be notified when videos are published, sign up for our newsletter or subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Other sessions (such as Unconference, Hallway, and Writing Day sessions) are not recorded.

Participate in the conference

The schedule is built around sessions. Almost all of the in-person interactions you’ll have at the virtual conference will be through sessions. Here’s how to find and participate in sessions, and use these lessons for attending Writing Day, Unconference, Job Fair, and sponsor events.

Find events to participate in

  • You can view the schedule on the Reception page. You can also browse a list of events by selecting Sessions.
  • When you select an event in the schedule, like a Writing Day or Unconference session, you are directed to the Sessions page.
  • Once you are on the Sessions page, select the session you want to attend.

Join an event

  • Once you select a session, you can either only view the session and use the Chat, or select Share Audio and Video to participate in the session by video. Sessions are limited to 20 active participants, but anyone can join and view the session without video.

Helpful settings

  • Select the Video Camera icon to turn off your video.
  • Select the Monitor icon to share your screen. Multiple people can share their screens at once.
  • To make someone’s screen larger, double-click on it.
  • Select the Settings icon to change your audio or video settings.

Writing Day

Writing Day takes place on Sunday, the day before the conference starts. You can join in anytime 10:00-18:00 CEST.

You can bring a writing project you want to work on, or you can contribute to a project someone else brought.

  • Bring a project: If you want help with your project, sign up before Writing Day. When you are ready to start your project on Writing Day, go to Sessions, select your table, and start collaborating.
  • Contribute to a project: If you want to help someone else with their writing project, check out the list of projects. When you are ready to participate, go to Sessions, select the session for the project you want to contribute to, and introduce yourself.

Unconference

Lead an unconference session

  • Anyone can lead an unconference session, as long as they have a discussion idea and a willingness to encourage attendees to talk about it.
  • Look for an empty slot on the Unconference sign-up, and add your Unconference topic. There will be a time and a table number for each slot.
  • When it’s time for your Unconference session to begin, go to Sessions and select the session that corresponds to your table number.
  • The previous unconference session will be in the same table. Let the attendees of the previous session know that their time is up, and your session will begin soon.
  • Once a group has entered your session, start the conversation!
  • When the Unconference leader for the next session enters the session, finish up your discussion to make way for the next one.

Tips for your unconference session

  • Avoid doing roundtable introductions. You might run out of time to actually start the conversation!
  • Start the session with a prompt: think of a question that you have about the topic of your unconference and ask it. The conversation typically works itself out after that. If there’s a lull, ask the group if anyone else has a question to ask.
  • Up to 20 people can join the session with audio and video, but more people than that may join your Unconference through chat. Be sure to check the session chat regularly and include people there in the conversation.
  • Be on the lookout for people who aren’t joining in and invite them to speak. Don’t insist, if they make it clear they want to listen only.

Join an unconference session

  • Starting Monday morning, check the Unconference sign-up to see if there are any sessions you are interested in joining. New ones are added all the time, so check back periodically.
  • At the time the session starts, go to Sessions and select the session with the table number that corresponds to the one in the Unconference schedule.
  • The session leader will begin when the group has gathered.

Lightning talks

  • A Lightning Talk is a five-minute talk where you quickly share a concept or bit of info you find interesting. Lightning talks are a great way to practice public speaking, get people excited about your Unconference session, and test interest in a conference proposal idea.
  • If you are interested in giving a lightning talk, be prepared! There is a great guide here.
  • Watch the conference chat and Reception for an announcement that Lightning Talk sign-ups have opened and for directions on how to sign up.
  • If you are selected to speak, one of the Organisers will contact you with more information.

Job Fair

  • The Job Fair takes place on Tuesday morning. Each company attending the Job Fair will have their own Session table. To view the Job Fair participants and booths, go to Expo.
  • Once you are in the session, check out the pinned message to review job and company information.
  • If you want to start a conversation with someone at the session, go to the Chat tab, make sure the Expo toggle is on, and ask your question. You can set up 1:1 conversations using chat or video, too.
  • Remember, there might be multiple people starting conversations, so there could be a wait.

Networking

Add info to your profile

To add information about yourself to your conference profile, select your initials > Edit Profile. Share as much as you are comfortable.

Important: Any info you add to your profile can be seen by everyone attending the conference. All conversations should adhere to the Write the Docs Code of Conduct.

Reach out to attendees

There are several ways to network using the virtual conference platform:

Direct message Chat

  • You can direct message attendees by finding them on the People tab.
  • To filter for Organisers or Speakers, select the Filter icon.
  • You can toggle between viewing People (a list of attendees) and Messages (a list of the messages you sent and received).

Event and conference-wide Chat

  • When you chat on any of the main pages (Reception, Sessions, Networking, and Expo, you are chatting the entire conference.
  • When you attend a Session, view the main Stage, or visit an Expo booth, you’ll see a toggle for switching between conference-wide chat and event chat. When you select Event, you are chatting the entire conference. To chat just your session, toggle on the Session or Booth chat.

Hallway sessions

Under Sessions you’ll find one or more hallway sessions, for casually talking with other attendees. You can join with your own audio and video, or chat only.

Here’s some icebreakers:

  • What are you reading for fun right now?
  • Have you found a website that makes you happy during social isolation?
  • If you could start a business, what would it be?
  • What is the best vacation you’ve ever been on?
  • Are you working on any passion projects right now?
  • What are your favorite podcasts?
  • What is the most surprising thing that happened to you in the past week?
  • What drew you to your work?

Small group video chats

  • When you Direct message Chat another attendee, you’ll see a button for starting 1:1 video chat.
  • You can start a 1:1 video chat with one person and then send the link to up to two other people, to start a 4-person video chat.
  • This is a great way to continue a conversation that started in an Unconference or Hallway session.

Monday night social

The Monday Night Social is a chance to chat informally with other conference attendees. Look for a link from the conference organizers at the conference on Monday. Spatial chat works just like real conversations, except in a virtual room.

  • Once you enter the spatial chat, you’ll see a bubble with your video or name in it.
  • You can use the icons along the bottom to turn on or off your video or audio.
  • There will be several rooms to find people in. Look in the menu on the right-hand side and double-click on a room to enter it.
  • Once you are in a room, drag your bubble towards people to chat with them. The closer you are to other people, the better you can hear them.
  • If you want to chat with someone specific, find their name in the left-hand side menu and double-click to be taken to where they are in the virtual room.
  • Remember to follow the Pac Man rule and leave a space open in your group conversations for new people to join.

This is new to everyone this year, so experiment and have fun! There is no wrong way to do this!

Pro tips

  • Conferences are exhilarating, but can also be exhausting. Give your brain a break! Grab a quiet spot or take a quick walk. Play a board game on your lunch break. Come back invigorated.
  • Find out who is attending the conference before you attend. Join the Write the Docs Slack, follow the Write the Docs on Twitter, and review the list of speakers.
  • In case of technical issues with our main platform Hopin, please watch the #wtd-conferences Slack channel for status updates and alternative viewing links that might be posted.

FAQs

Are the talks recorded?

  • Stage talks and Q&A sessions are recorded. Videos will be published in the Write the Docs Video Archive shortly after the conference (typically about a week after the conference ends).
  • Other sessions (such as Unconference, Hallway, and Writing Day sessions) are not recorded.

How do I get into the virtual conference?

  • Getting into the conference is a two-step process.
  • You buy a ticket, and then you get a link to register. During this registration process, you will get a link to get into the conference.

Do I have to be on video during the conference?

  • You can choose whether to share your video during the conference, including during Unconference sessions. Select the Video Camera icon to turn on and off your video.
  • You can also share your screen during an Unconference. Select the Monitor icon to share your screen. Multiple people can share their screens at once.
  • Select the Settings icon to change your audio or video settings.
  • To make someone’s screen larger, double-click on it.

How do I see what’s happening right now?

  • Go to Reception to see the talk schedule.
  • Go to the Write the Docs website to view the full schedule.
  • View the Integrated schedule to see what Writing Day and Unconference sessions are happening.
  • Go to the Expo to view Sponsor Booths.
  • If it’s Tuesday morning, go to the Expo to view the Job Fair.

Someone sent me a message at the conference. Where can I see it?

  • In the Chat tool, you can toggle between viewing People (a list of attendees) and Messages (a list of the messages you sent and received).

I want to tag someone in a comment in chat. Why isn’t it working?

  • The widget to search for users to tag in chat goes away while it’s searching (which makes people think that it’s not working) so just wait a bit.

How do I ask a question to the speakers?

  • There’s a Q&A session after each talk in Sessions. In Chat, enter your question preceded by a “Q:”. The moderators will send your question to the speaker.
  • If your question isn’t answered during Q&A, you can reach out to the speaker directly in Chat by selecting the People tab and sending them a direct message.

How should I prepare for the Job Fair?

  • Each Job Fair booth participant will run their booth differently.
  • Typically, the booth will be staffed, so when you select it, you will be able to join a video chat with someone from the company or Chat with them in the booth chat.
  • There may be other people on the same video call with you, so be prepared to introduce yourself to booth staff and other job seekers.
  • Come prepared with questions for the booth staff about the company and the jobs they have available.
  • Some booths will not be staffed, but will have a video or text information about applying for jobs at the company.

I’m having a technical issue. What can I try?

  • Make sure you’re using a browser supported by Hopin. List of supported browsers: https://hopin.zendesk.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360056078872-Browser-Compatibility-for-online-events-on-Hopin
  • Refresh the Hopin page.
  • Log out of Google. Log in with a different Google account, if you have separate personal and company accounts.
  • Try using a Private browsing window.
  • Disable browser extensions.
  • Log into your company’s VPN. If you are already logged in, try logging out.
  • Try a different computer. Sometimes work computers can have video streaming restrictions.
  • Check that your router is not blocking video streaming.

I’m unable to watch the main stage talks. I am getting a “This video is restricted” error.

Some attendees have reported issues not being able to see the main stage video stream, instead seeing the following error message: “This video is restricted. Please check the Google Workspace administrator and/or the network administrator restrictions”

This issue is caused by restrictions on your computer’s account, browser, computer, or network. We most often see this issue when attendees use their work computers or work accounts to join the conference.

Try the following steps to work around this issue:

  • Log into your company’s VPN. If you are already logged in, try logging out.
  • Log out of YouTube or your Google account.
  • Try a different browser.
  • Try a different computer.
  • If you are using your work computer and still running into issues, your company’s IT department may need to temporarily disable Restricted Mode. More details can be found here: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/174084?hl=en

I’m unable to share my webcam or microphone in a session or table.

If none of these work, reach out to the Helpdesk for help. Select Expo > Helpdesk and ask your question in the Chat tab.

What can I do at the conference?

  • You can watch talks, participate in the Unconference, visit the Job Fair, talk to our sponsors, give a Lightning Talk, and chat with other conference attendees. If you need help with any of it, reach out to the Welcome Wagon at Expo > Helpdesk.

Where can I learn more?

Read the Welcome Wagon guide to the conference, the Unconference Cheat Sheet, the Writing Day Cheat Sheet, and watch the virtual conference intro video. You can learn how to reach out to attendees, what happens at each event, and how to get more help.

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