Instructions
The links below provide instructions for attendees, speakers, moderators and judges for student awards. The instructions are in PDF format and each set of instructions will open in a new window.
- Attendee User Instructions.pdf
- Speaker Instructions Update 12-2-2020.pdf
- Moderator Instructions.pdf
- Student Award Judge Instructions.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions
The time zone for the live sessions is Central Standard Time (CST).
For any of your social media posts about the conference, please use the hashtag #BaysandBayous and find us on Twitter @BaysandBayous.
Announcements are on the Home Page. Scroll down and you will see them under the main image.
What are the conference platforms?
We will use Drfyta and Zoom. Drfyta is used for all virtual and live sessions. Zoom is only used for panel members. The Zoom meeting is then embedded into live sessions for attendees to view.
What are the features of each session under Sessions?
All related information about a session is under the menu item "Program Schedule." Search the program to locate the session you are interested in. Session details include the abstract, any related video and presenter details. All sessions (live and pre-recorded) have asynchronous "chat" and "Q&A" sections. The authors may have created a poll for you under the "Polls" tab.
How do I get help?
If you need help (e.g. you cannot log in) email us at melissa.schneider@usm.edu and we will get back to you ASAP during symposium hours.
I forgot my password, What should I do?
If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it on the login page. If you have forgotten the email address you used at proposal submission or at registration, contact us at melissa.schneider@usm.edu.
Where can I change my password?
The login page on Dryfta has an option for resetting your password. Click on the forgot your password? link to receive all the instructions.
I sometimes do not see the sessions on the program schedule. What do I do?
We are aware that on the session page under each day the sessions may not be visible. If this happens, please click on a different day, and click back on the day you want to see the sessions. Also, remember to RESET any searches.
How do I find information about the sessions (e.g. who is speaking and what the talks are about)?
In the program schedule, click on the title of the session to see more details about the session including authors and abstracts.
What does "Display your profile to visitors" mean? Who are the visitors?
Visitors are the registered Bays and Bayous Symposium attendees. Only Bays and Bayous attendees have access to your public profile. You can choose not to display your profile to visitors on your Dashboard. If you do this, other delegates will NOT be able to send you a connection (vCard) request.
How do I chat and set up a meeting with others?
If you want to chat with others, there is a 1-1 private text and video chat facility through the "Messages" pop-up window at the bottom right of your screen. If you want to set up a 1-to-1 meeting, you can do so by selecting a time slot and sending meeting requests (VCards & Meetings link).
Is there a conference mobile app? How can I get it? What can I do with it?
You can download the Dryfta event app from Google Play and the App Store. (Search for bbs20). You can use the conference app to access and manage your schedule, chat with other attendees and and manage your Dryfta Account.
Can I search the program for a specific session?
Yes, you can access the program using the menu item "Program Schedule" and search for a specific session ('search session by name').
How do I add sessions to my personal conference schedule?
To create a customized schedule, click on the 'Add to my Schedule' button and see these sessions listed under My Dashboard, My Schedule tab.
Where are the pre-recorded sessions for today?
You will find all the pre-recorded session content on Dryfta. You can access the program schedule using the menu item "Program Schedule."
I cannot see the videos of the pre-recorded sessions. What should I do?
Email us your query with the details of the session that you cannot access at melissa.schneider@usm.edu.
How do I chat with the presenters, ask them questions, participate in the polls the presenters have set up?
You can do this in the Chat, Q&A and Polls section of each session. There may be a delay between your question/comment and presenters' responses.
I am a presenter. How do I know if someone has left a message on my session?
You will receive an email notification when other attendees post a message ask you a question in your session space. You response will be posted in the Q&A section.
Will the presenters respond to my chat and questions after the conference ends.
Presenters will respond to your comments and questions (chat and Q&A) during the conference. Do not expect them to respond after the conference ends.
How do I find when a specific pre-recorded session's live Q&A slot is?
You can find them in the program schedule. Search for the specific session title. You can also search a specific talk title under the menu "View Abstracts."
How do I add the session to my conference schedule?
To create a customized schedule, click on the "Add to my Schedule" button and see these sessions listed under My Dashboard, My Schedule tab.
How can I set up my profile?
You need to click on MY DASHBOARD-Update profile and add your information.
What is a vCard?
vCards are Virtual Business Cards which attendees can share with each other. When you accept a vCard request, the information on your profile is sent to the person who requested it (including your email address).
What does the Messages settings mean? Who are connected attendees?
Enable private messaging to chat with connected attendees: Delegates who have sent you a vCard request that you have accepted can contact you. When you accept a vCard request, your profile information is sent (including your email address).
Enable private messaging to chat with all attendees: All delegates can contact you via the Messaging window on Dryfta. They will not be sent your profile information.
How can I have 1-1 chat or video calls with other delegates?
Click on Messages (bottom right of your screen). You can search for people you can contact (delegates who have accepted you vCard Requests and delegates who enabled all attendees to chat with them). If you don't see the name of the person you want to contact, find them under the menu "Attendees" and request their vCard.
For 1-1 video calls using "Messages," Dryfta uses Jitsi <https://jitsi.org> as the video call platform. Use Chrome as your browser for best results.
Search in Messages does not work. I cannot find the person I search for. What can I do?
This means that the person's Messages setting does NOT enable chat with all attendees, and you cannot contact them using Messages. Go to menu item "Attendees," find the person you are looking for, click on their name, and Request vCard. If they accept your request, you can set up a meeting with them, and can now contact them using "Messages" if their setting enables chat with connected attendees. If you do not see the Request vCard button, this means that the person's public profile is disabled and they do not wish to be contacted via Dryfta. If the person is a speaker, one final option would be to find their session, and send them a question or message in their session's Q&A space.
How will I be alerted of new Messages?
When someone sends you a message, you will receive an email notification. If someone sends you multiple messages during the day, you will only be notified once for the first message every hour. Check your Messages at least once a day.
You will receive audio notifications if Messages are open in a separate tab or window on your browser. If you have downloaded the Dryfta app, you will also receive audio notifications on the app on your phone.
How do I release my meeting availability for others to book 1-1 (video) meetings with me?
Click on the MY DASHBOARD tab-vCards & Meetings. Add a time slot as per your availability for the meetings. Other attendees can request for a meeting on your available time slots.
How do I subscribe/unsubscribe from the Community discussions?
Look under the pink tabs. You will see a tick box to subscribe to the specific forum. Refresh your page and you can untick your subscription.
What are the Chat, Q&A and Polls features within each session? How do I participate?
All sessions (including live and pre-recorded sessions) have "Chat," "Q&A," and "Polls" sections. The presenters may have created a few questions for you to answer under the "Polls" tab. If you use the Q&A function and ask a question to a specific presenter, that presenter will receive an email notification. When the presenter responds to your question, you should also receive an email notification. If you use the chat function, email notifications are not sent to the presenters. The presenters are advised to check their session chat and Q&A functions at least once a day.
Are my communications on Dryfta private?
Your contributions to Dryfta are only accessible to registered Bays and Bayous 2020 attendees. 1-1 chats under "Messages" can be viewed by the Bays and Bayous 2020 organizers. 1-1 video chats under Messages are not recorded, and no one in the Bays and Bayous organizing team has access to them.
What are acceptable and unacceptable behaviours?
We expect all participants at Bays and Bayous 2020 to abide by this policy at all conference sessions:
- Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions;
- Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech;
- Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants;
- Alert community leaders if you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or violations of this policy, even if they seem inconsequential.
How do I report/flag content for the moderators?
Please send an email with details of the contents you want to report and possibly a screenshot to melissa.schneider@usm.edu
Are there any opportunities for networking and relaxed socials?
Besides the networking opportunities previously described, there will be a ZOOM social on Wednesday at 5:45-6:45 p.m.
How can I contact the conference organizers during the conference?
Email us your query at melissa.schneider@usm.edu. We will respond to your queries between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Please send screenshots about the issue where relevant.