BBB Introduction

    The User Interface


    Fig. 1

    Every BBB web conference room is divided into different areas:

    1. The users list: Moderator (square icon) and user (round icon) are listed below each other. Moderators can use the gear icon to change the settings (e.g. mute users).
    2. Chat and notes: Shared notes and chats (public and private) appear in this area.
    3. Presentation area: The presentation/screen sharing features appear in the interface’s main area. You can also find the users' video windows here if their webcams are enabled. In the lower right corner, each participant can also individually switch the presentation area to full screen.
    4. Microphone and webcam controls: At the bottom left you will find the action button for presenters. At the center, you can see buttons for controlling the microphone and the webcam. You can also share your screen or a single window and stop screen sharing (this feature needs to be enabled by the session chair or the moderator). On the right is the button for raising or lowering the hand.
    5. Presenter tools: Here you can find the tools for the whiteboard and for the presentation area.
    6. General settings: Informations about the connection status and options for activating or deactivating the full-screen mode, ending the conference and logging out are displayed here.

    Display Customization Options



    Fig. 2

    BBB’s interface is customizable. You can hide the chat area, or the users list. You can also enable the full-screen mode for the entire BBB interface or just the presentation area.



    Fig. 3

    If you don’t need a presentation area or only want to display the camera window, use the minus icon in the top right corner to hide the presentation. The presentation reappears when you click the screen icon in the right corner of the controls area.


    User Management Settings (Moderators Only)


    Fig. 4

    Upon clicking the gear icon, you will find settings for managing users.

    1. Users can set a status that will appear in the users list (raise hand, absent, etc…). You can reset all users' status here.
    2. Here you can turn the meeting mute option on or off.
    3. Export the users list as a .TXT file here so you can keep track of attendance.
    4. Here you can edit permissions that should apply to users (moderators excluded) upon joining the room. Please also refer to the following article: Roles and Authorizations BBB (Main Rooms)
    5. The settings for guest access can be regulated here.
    6. Here you can create breakout rooms. See also: How Do I Create a Breakout Room? (Moderators Only)
    7. This menu item can be used to create subtitles (presenters only).

    General Features


    Set a status

    Fig. 5

    All users can select a status that will appear next to their icon in the users list and is visible to all other users. Upon selecting Set status, a menu with several options to choose from will appear.

    For instance, Thumbs Up informs the presenter that you agree, or you can send silent applause by clicking Applaud. If the current status is no longer valid, you can reset it by using the menu. You can also raise and lower your hand using the button on the right below the presentation area.


    Public chat


     

    Fig. 6

    The public chat is visible to all users and can be used for questions and comments that are relevant to all users. Presenters, moderators or other users can directly respond to the chat messages.
    All users can copy and download the public chat history. Users with moderator rights can also delete the chat. The menu for all of these options will appear upon clicking the three dots in the top right corner of the chat area.


    Private chat


    Fig. 7

    Users can get in touch with other users by using the private chat feature. You can start a private chat by selecting a user and clicking Start a private chat (see fig. 7). The private chat only works within the current room and cannot be used to contact people in group rooms.

    Shared notes


    Fig. 8

    You can share notes in BBB rooms thanks to a built-in etherpad. This tool for collaborative writing offers several formatting options such as:

    • bold
    • italic
    • underlined
    • strikethrough
    • bullet points
    • numbering

    At the end of a meeting, users can export the notes in different formats by clicking the download icon (see fig. 8). 

    Published