Jamboree-On-The-Air / Jamboree-On-the-Internet 2015 October 16-18 JOTA-JOTI 2015 has officially started, and there are so many ways that you can get involved to meet Scouts and Guides online. The JOTI side is run via a group called ScoutLink. This is the biggest annual Scouting and Guiding event in the world where you can meet and talk to Scouts and Guides using the following: IRC (Internet Relay Chat) a text-only chat system using the ScoutLink servers, that is open 24/7/365 Teamspeak a voice-chat programme like Skype, with chatrooms just for ScoutLink users Minecraft there is a special ScoutLink server that you can play on, but you will need your own copy of Minecraft to play. ScoutLink is moderated at all times by a trained team of Scouts and Guides from around the world, who are here to help you. There is a list of rules that you can find at http://www.scoutlink.net/rules/. How can I get involved? Some Scouts will be at their own JOTA-JOTI Camps this weekend, where they will be able to use amateur radios and computers to talk to Scouts and Guides globally. Using computers, ScoutLink is a platform that has options of IRC, TeamSpeak, and Minecraft for Scouts to connect to others. But you don t have to be at a camp to access this you can do it from home! IRC IRC has a quick connection (using a web browser no other software needed!) and advanced connection (requiring you to download and install software) set of instructions to access it. Both will get you connected, but it s up to you to choose how you want to be connected! The Quick Connection instructions are as follows: Using a web browser (such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer), go to https://webchat.scoutlink.net Change the Nickname to a name you want to use (for example RobbieKoala, TaylorSwiftFan1907, it s up to you!), leave the Channel as English, and click Start. When the webpage loads, you will have two tabs at the top left of the page: Page 1 of 5
The first tab is the Server Status. The second tab is the first chat server you will be connected to. You can start talking here! To see a list of all channels (you can join more), enter /LIST Congratulations! Welcome to ScoutLink! The Advanced Connection instructions: You can download any IRC software or app onto your Windows/OSX/Linux/iOS/Android device, and set it up to connect to the ScoutLink server using the details at http://www.scoutlink.net/connect/irc/. (Alternatively, if you have an Android device, you can download an app called ScoutLink IRC to start talking immediately. Go to https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.org.mattford.scoutlink to download the app.) Tips for using IRC: To change your Nickname at any time, type in /NICK yournewnickname. To see the list of all channels you can join, type in /LIST To exit, simply close the tab/exit the web browser. TeamSpeak Using a microphone and speakers (or a headset), you can talk in chatrooms with other Scouts and Guides for JOTI. Again, these are all moderated by a trained team of Scouts and Guides. Page 2 of 5
To get started, you will need to download TeamSpeak from http://www.teamspeak.com/downloads and then follow the instructions at http://www.scoutlink.net/connect/voice/. This step-by-step process explains what you need to do, with simple images and instructions. Minecraft With your own installed copy of Minecraft, you can access the ScoutLink server. To join the server: Open Minecraft Select Multiplayer Select Add Server The Server Address you need is minecraft.scoutlink.net Select Done Now join the server and come say hi! JOTA To participate in the Jamboree-On-The-Air side of this event, you will need an amateur radio licence and hardware setup (including radio tower and more). If you have this, be sure to look out for 9M4WSB our call-sign from the World Scout Bureau in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Page 3 of 5
What else can I do during JOTA-JOTI? Radio Stations o! Avon Scouts (UK) broadcasts as JOTI Radio every year live broadcasting from the UK over the whole JOTI weekend, non-stop. Run as 2-hour radio shows, each hosted by youth members, they will be playing requested songs and interviews of Scouts who called the radio station via the internet. No ads, just pure Scouting. To learn more or tune in, go tohttp://jotiradio.org. JAMPUZ o! An interactive game to trade codes between other participants during the annual JOTA-JOTI event, learn more at http://jotajoti.info/jampuz/. Page 4 of 5
Just remember ScoutLink is provided by Scouts and Guides who volunteer their time. You can access ScoutLink all year round, not just during JOTI season. To learn more about ScoutLink and JOTI, go to http://www.scoutlink.net/joti/. # # # Page 5 of 5