– Guide for using The Aggregate –

Getting started

The platform for the 12th International Conference on Concrete Pavements is a highly-secure, globally-embraced virtual platform powered by VirBELA, known as The Aggregate. This space was selected for its ability to provide a collaborative experience that is as close as possible to an in-person event. All papers, workshops and exhibits are presented in a way that matches the experience of in-person and the campus offers numerous real time interactive communication methods. Participation in this collaborative experience does require a secure app to be installed on the client’s PC. To get started with the platform, download and install it from https://bit.ly/the-aggregate or click the button below. The installer will download about 1 GB of files to your computer and will take several minutes to install after that, so please install it prior to the conference. You will be given the opportunity to personalize your own avatar (or choose a random one) to use during this virtual conference.

Download THE AGGREGATE

You must not install this multiple times or it will cause system resource problems for your computer. Also, if you have not already authorized and need to install, please be sure to accept the request to access your microphone and to give security permission to this application. If you have an IT department that needs a security reference, please con tact us for details to the high level of security this platform functions.

Once installed, you can access the platform by clicking on this icon on your computer:

Please take some time to view the orientation videos and read the FAQs below to help you make the most out of the unique experience.

Orientation videos

Workshop Coordinator Orientation

Moderator Orientation

Speaker Orientation

See the video from the speaker orientation video by clicking the button below:

Speaker Orientation Video

Note that the Speaker ready room will be in the Executive Boardroom within The Aggregate platform. Each speaker will have 20 minutes to present their work, followed by 5 minutes for Q&A.

Installation FAQs

What if my organization will not allow me to install the app?

Many larger organizations have admin securities on computer systems that prevent the unauthorized installation of unapproved software. The Aggregate does have an MSI file available for IT departments that wish to push installs from a server out to individual PCs. This can be obtained by requests emailed to support@theaggregate.world with reference to the organization requesting the MSI file.

What if my organization will not permit the app installation?

In the event that an organization has a zero-tolerance policy for the installation of third-party software, users are encouraged to consider alternative Mac or Windows computers, such as a home PC. In the event that no alternative install option is available, on-demand content will be made available for conference registrants. Paper presentations will be captured and offered through a private catalog of access links for conference registrants with a daily wrap-up email communicated to all persons registered. This on-demand content will be available within 24 hours of the original broadcast for conference attendees.

What is the security featured through the VirBELA and therefore The Aggregate platform?

VirBELA is hosted on MongoDB’s cloud hosting service, Atlas. The Atlas service runs in an AWS VPC and utilizes TLS 1.2 for Encryption in Transit. Encryption at Rest utilizes AES-256 encryption for all data stored on disk. MongoDB Atlas provides SCRAM authentication, Multi-region redundancy, Continuous backups, IP whitelisting, MFA, User Roles, Monitoring and alert systems. More information here: https://www.mongodb.com/cloud/atlas/security

Common issues

Each event conducted through the campus platform, The Aggregate, brings a similar set of issues related to the function of the software and the effectiveness of the user experience. A complete list of troubleshooting features can be referenced at https://support.virbela.com/s/topic/0TO3t000001ATRmGAO/troubleshooting. Though the percentage of users experiencing issues is comparatively very low, here are some of the most common:

I can hear environmental sounds (i.e. waves or birds chirping) but no one talking or videos playing

This is most often the cause of users with external monitors connected by HDMI. By default, computers try to send audio signaling from The Aggregate through HDMI cables. The user can check this by unplugging the HDMI cable, which should not require a restart of The Aggregate app, though some may. The user may consider entering their sound preferences and disabling the use of HDMI audio send. For more information on how to achieve this, visit https://support.virbela.com/s/article/I-Can-t-Hear-Other-People.

I am trying to speak to others and my Mic Is On shows green yet no bubble appears and my voice is not heard

This most often occurs when users missed the prompt during install to allow access to the computer’s microphone security. The user can enter sound preferences, navigate to the microphone and add or approve The Aggregate for permission to use the microphone of choice, or any microphone for the system. For more information on how to achieve this, click here: https://support.virbela.com/s/article/I-Can-t-Hear-Other-People.

My computer is very sluggish when The Aggregate app is open

As with most software applications, there is a minimum performance specification in order to allow the system to function. The Aggregate uses considerable PC resources to render the VR environment. In order to verify that your computer meets those specifications, visit https://support.virbela.com/s/article/VR-Minimum-Specifications. Try closing or exiting resource-heavy applications such as email clients, video and audio programs or any software having a large file open. Careful attention to the Internet speed is also suggested in order to maximize performance.

My computer will not open The Aggregate campus when I select the icon

This is most often caused by having more than one installed version of The Aggregate on your computer. You should only go through the install process one time. If you have multiple versions installed, try deleting all but one and retrying. You may wish to uninstall all versions of The Aggregate and then reinstall cleanly from https://bit.ly/the-aggregate.

There is an echo others report, when I attempt to communicate

VirBELA and The Aggregate work the best with a microphone headset. This ensures the complete separation of voice input from sound output. When a user attempts to use the built-in microphone and built-in speakers, a sound loop can be created, thus repeating the input from the user and being experienced as an echo by others. VirBELA does not have a sound cancelling system like some of the popular video conferencing solutions. An alternative is to keep your system muted (Mic Is Off shown in lower left). Then, when communicating into the system, hold down the “1” key on your keyboard and begin talking. Release it when you finish a phrase or a statement as if you were talking on a two-way radio.

Quick Guide

For more information or troubleshooting needs, please feel free to email The Aggregate support staff at support@theaggregate.world.