2008 Arizona Monsoon Season Web-Briefing
11:00 a.m. until Noon
Wednesday, June 4th, 2008

University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, (http://cals.arizona.edu/climate) and the Climate Assessment for the Southwest (http://www.ispe.arizona.edu/climas) will be hosting an online climate briefing for extension faculty, natural resource managers, and interested citizens on June 4 th, 2008 at 11:00 am. MST. This meeting will consist of a climate briefing presentation followed by a question and answer period. Dr. Chris Castro (UofA Department of Atmospheric Sciences) will be our guest presenter for this briefing. He will cover topics including

* Overview of the North American Monsoon System
* Background on monsoon forecasting science
* Forecasts for the upcoming 2008 monsoon season

What equipment to I need?
The meeting will be hosted online using the Breeze (http://www.adobe.com/resources/breeze/) web communication software. This system integrates voice, chat, and video communications to facilitate online meetings and presentations. There are several pieces of equipment that you will need and to participate in the meeting. At a minimum you need a computer with a high-speed internet connection (DSL or cable internet will work fine), computer speakers, and a microphone if you wish to participate using the voice communication feature (you can also use a typing chat feature to ask questions or provide feedback).

What software do I need?
Your computer needs two pieces of free software to run the Breeze system: Macromedia Flash and Shockwave. They support streaming audio and video within your internet browser and are the main components to run Breeze on your local computer.

1.Go to this link to check and see if you have Flash and Shockwave installed or to download and install these components: http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/welcome/

2.Download and install the optional Macromedia Breeze Meeting Add-in. This add-in is not required, but will help solve potential screen resolution problems (Install Windows Add-in: http://www.macromedia.com/go/breeze_addin_install_win/, Install Mac Add-in: http://www.macromedia.com/go/breeze_addin_install_mac/)

3.Go to this link to test your software setup and connection to make sure you are ready to participate in any Breeze meeting: http://breeze.ltc.arizona.edu/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm

How do I attend and participate in the meeting?
The meeting will start at 11 a.m. on the 4th, but feel free to log-in to the meeting room early to test out the system and make sure your settings are correct. Check out this link to learn how to join a meeting and optimize web settings: http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/employee/participating.html

We will be limiting the use of microphones to presenters only and will turn on microphones to individual participants if they want to ask questions using the voice feature. We are encouraging participants to ask questions and provide feedback using the chat feature. The meeting will last for one hour.

To join the meeting on June 4th go to this link: http://breeze.ltc.arizona.edu/azclimate/

When you login to the meeting, please provide your full name and affiliation as a user name (example: Mike Crimmins, UofA Cooperative Extension) Thanks for your interest and look forward to seeing you at the meeting online!

Contact Mike Crimmins with questions or comments: crimmins@u.arizona.edu