CNRS/Tixeo installation and usage
Table of Contents
1 General information
- Tixeo is an audio/video-conferencing tool provided by CNRS which requires an account and the installation of a client. It can therefore be used for all employees of CNRS units (UMRs), including AIM.
- Always use the private server https://tixeo.cnrs.fr/ (do not use the public Tixeo server).
2 Installation
2.1 Account creation
- You can register an account anytime using https://tixeo.cnrs.fr/meet/forgotPassword.html, whether you're in a CNRS unit or not. If you appear in the CNRS Labintel database, you will be granted privileges (creating and moderating meeting) and if you don't, you will only be able to attend meetings.
- If you are a guest (not part of a CNRS unit), you can also wait to receive a contact invitation or a meeting invitation, in which case you will receive emails with explanations on how to proceed with the account creation.
2.2 Client installation
- You can go anytime to https://tixeo.cnrs.fr/meet/secure/attendee/install.html to download the client (you can also find it in the Play store or App store for the phones, but it is preferable to browse the Tixeo website in order to get the download link).
- Whether you are from a CNRS unit or not, you can also wait to receive a contact invitation or a meeting invitation, in which case you will receive emails with explanations on how to proceed with the installation.
3 Usage
3.1 Planning a meeting
- If you are from a CNRS UMR, you can plan a meeting from the main webpage https://tixeo.cnrs.fr/ or directly from the client. If you are not from a CNRS unit you can only attend. .
3.2 Joining a meeting
- To join a conference, you always have to use the client (no web plugin).
- A bell will ring if Tixeo is active and a meeting is starting. There are only 2-3 rings, so you can wait and join anytime after this (e.g., in case the meeting was started early to give time for people to attend).
3.3 Screen sharing
- By default only the organizer can share the screen/windows. The organizer can moderate the users by granting them privileges including screen sharing. Attendees can request sharing anytime.
- You can share a full desktop screen or a specific application.
- Several people can share their screen/application at the same time. You can then manage these different inputs by popping-out or giving emphasis (see below).
- There is currently no specific pointer or overlay tools but people can see the mouse pointer in the shared screens/applications.
3.4 Zooming/emphasis
- You can choose to enlarge the portraits and/or shared screens/applications anytime by clicking on them. The star next to the name will be filled (emphasis) or not (regular size).
- You can pop-out any portait/shared screen/applications, for instance to move it to a second desktop screen while you keep the main Tixeo application with the portraits on the other screen.
3.5 Advanced collaboration
- As an organizer, you can for to "Moderate" and activate "Advanced collaboration". This will allow you to create different "bubbles" or "virtual rooms" where people can discuss. This provides the possibility of having parallel sessions within the same conference.
- One of these rooms can be, for instance, a waiting room.
- You can then switch people around from room to room anytime. If each user is moderator, they can move themselves.
3.6 Settings
- Settings are accessible through the top right button and then the wheel (audio/video will switch off temporarily if while in a call).
- To disconnect client: click on the top right button and then the arrow in the box.
4 Contacts
- When creating a conference, you can invite any email address. They don't need to be part of your contacts and they don't need to be part of CNRS units.
- "Contacts" in Tixeo work the same way as Skype, it basically gives the permission to contacts to call you anytime (if the client is opened). This provides a fast communication method much like a regular phone line.
- To add contacts (including external people):
- from the client ("Add a contact", works one-by-one) or use https://tixeo.cnrs.fr/meet/secure/attendee/addContacts.html and provide several user emails separated with commas. You only need to do this once, then the contacts will be in your Tixeo contacts.
- The invited people will receive an email to register if it's not already the case. For external people, they can register to the CNRS private server but they will have limited access (i.e., they can only join, they can't plan a conference).
5 Documentation
- Main documentation for organizers: https://aide.core-cloud.net/si/tixeo/SitePages/FAQ.aspx
6 Troubleshooting
6.1 General
- Check if latest version of Tixeo.
- Mac OS/Windows: antivirus softwares sometimes make it impossible to install, make sure to whitelist the application or temporarily disable the antvirus software.
6.2 Mac OSX
- Update to the latest OS version if possible.
- If the message "…installer does not allow its software to be installed here" appears, make sure you used the right installation URL: https://tixeo.cnrs.fr/meet/secure/attendee/install.html. Try also to select "Install for me only" and click "Continue". You can also try and reboot and retry the installation.
- If you can hear some people but not some others, try existing the conference and rejoin.
- If microphone and camera are not detected/authorized:
- Restart application and make sure all requests for permission are granted
- Go to the Mac "System Preferences -> Security & Privacy" -> "Camera" and "Microphone" to enable Tixeo. If Tixeo is not showing there, try re-install to allow permissions and also check "System Preferences" -> "Screen Time" -> "Content & Privacy Restrictions" -> "Allowed Apps", then toggle Camera to On.
- Catalina webcam authorization issues: you can try to uninstall Tixeo and re-install, then start a meeting and join it (by yourself). Another solution is to start Tixeo from the command-line for the first time:
/Applications/TixeoClient.app/Contents/MacOS/W3DClient
7 CEA employees
- If you haven't received an invitation email yet, create your account by providing your CEA email at: https://tixeo.cnrs.fr/meet/forgotPassword.html
- If your CEA address is not recognized, it might be because you're not yet in the CNRS Labintel database. You can ask the CNRS manager of AIM to include you. The Tixeo user database updates itself using Labintel every week or so so it may take some time for you to be recognized.