Lync Web App 2013 Guide Contents Introduction... 1 Getting Started... 2 System Requirements... 2 Install a Webcam... 2 Headsets and Speakerphones... 2 Joining Lync Web App Meetings... 3 Overview... 3 Plug in Installation... 4 Using Lync Web App... 6 Introduction The UConn School of Engineering and UITS have deployed the enterprise web conferencing platform Microsoft Lync. This software enables faculty, staff, and students to communicate in new and exciting ways, over a secure Internet connection from anywhere in the world. Faculty and staff are licensed to use the full Lync 2013 client, while students are able to use the free web based Lync Web App that is detailed in this guide. You can instant message (IM) your colleagues over a safe and encrypted connection. The client software integrates with your email account and Microsoft Outlook to enable you to easily control your privacy and overall experience. You can start a video chat with one or more of your colleagues for a quick face to face meeting without leaving your desk. You can share all or part of your desktop with your colleagues so that you can easily collaborate on a document, get help on a problem, etc. You can start or join web conferences with multiple attendees to collaborate on Microsoft Office documents, and more. You can invite colleagues outside of UConn or students to join your chats and video conferences via the free Lync Web App. You can communicate with colleagues in other institutions that also use Lync or other IM networks, such as Google Talk. You can access Lync from your office, on the road with your laptop, or anywhere else that you can get an Internet connection. 1
Getting Started Lync Web App is a free web based version of the Lync 2013 client. It enables anyone who is not licensed for the full Lync client (such as students and non UConn attendees) to enjoy the full experience of a Lync meeting, including sending and receiving voice/video, viewing and presenting shared content, and screen sharing. System Requirements System Component Operating System Web Browser Hardware Bandwidth Minimum Requirement Windows 7 (32 bit or 64 bit) Windows Vista (32 bit or 64 bit) Windows XP with Service Pack 3 (32 bit) Mac OS X (Version 10.6 or newer recommended) On Windows: Internet Explorer 8 or newer (Version 9 or 10 recommended) Firefox 12 or newer (Version 21 recommended) Chrome 18 or newer (Version 27 recommended) On Mac: Safari 5 or newer (Version 6 recommended) Firefox 12 or newer (Version 21 recommended) Chrome 18 or newer (Version 27 recommended) A USB webcam with integrated microphone. A headset is optional, but may provide higher audio quality. A broadband connection such as a cable modem or DSL connection. Install a Webcam All laptop and desktop integrated webcams should be compatible with Lync. If you require an external webcam, the following products are recommended: Microsoft LifeCam Studio This webcam delivers 1080p HD quality and is available for about $50. You can download the installation software for this webcam here. Microsoft LifeCam Cinema This webcam delivers 720p HD quality and is available for about $40. You can dwnload the installation software for this webcam here. Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 This webcam is compatible with both PCs and Macs, delivers 1080p HD quality, and is available for about $75. Headsets and Speakerphones You can use your computer s microphone and speakers to have a Lync conversation. You can also use a headset or speakerphone to get better audio quality. Almost any headset will work, but there are some models that are designed for Lync. Microsoft LifeChat LX 6000 This headset with microphone is optimized for Lync and is available for about $30. Jabra Speak 410 MS This high quality portable speakerphone offers great audio quality, a portable design, and a convenience carrying case. It is available for about $100 from Amazon. 2
Joining Lync Web App Meetings Overview All Lync meetings are identified by a hyperlink similar to the one below: https://meet.lync.uconn.edu/uconn/user/v6bm86l2 (Note: This is just an example hyperlink. Attempting to access this URL will fail.) The organizer of the meeting may send you this link through email, or post it on a web page such as HuskyCT. Click on the link to open the meeting through your web browser. You will see a window similar to Figure 1 below. Enter your full name in the text box and click Join the meeting. Figure 1 If you see a similar screen, except it is asking for a username and password, click on the link Are you a guest to this meeting? Sign in here instead, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 3
Plug in Installation The first time that you try to access Lync Web App, you will need to install a required plug in. You will be automatically prompted by your web browser to download this plug in. Download it to a convenient location on your computer, then run the installer by double clicking on it. See Figure 3 for an example on Internet Explorer in Windows showing a prompt to download or run the Lync Web App plugin. In this situation, you should click Run, after which the installer will complete automatically. Figure 3 On Mac OS X, after downloading the plug in and double clicking on it, you will see a few prompts. Click Continue on each screen, as shown in Figure 4, and Close on the final screen which reports The installation was successful. Figure 4 4
After installation is complete, you will see the prompt below in Figure 5 asking you to trust the plug in. Select Always allow the plug in for this domain and click Allow. Figure 5 Lastly, when running Lync Web App on Windows, you may receive a prompt to allow the program to communicate through your firewall. If you see a prompt similar to Figure 6 below, click Allow Access. Figure 6 5
Using Lync Web App Lync Web App is an intuitive web based application that organizes a meeting into separate panes, including a chat pane, a video pane, and a content pane. These panes, and the most commonly used buttons, are highlighted in Figure 7 below. Figure 7 6