QUICK START GUIDE

In this quick guide, we'll cover these basics:

- Activation (using a CSV file instead of the internet-based process)

- Keypad programming (checking if Base ID of the base matches the same on the keypad)

- Clearing data in EZ-VOTE (clearing one slide vs. all slides --> saving a "master" template)

- Converting slides (in PPTX from someone who doesn't have EZ-VOTE)

- Corruption prevention (modifications to EZ-VOTE slides outside EZ-VOTE)

- Basic polling functions (and rules to be explained to the audience)

- Team setup, scoring and evaluation (reports)

- Turn off Presenter View before presenting

- Fixing layout issues (changing chart type)

1) Activation (using a CSV file instead of the internet-based process)

Once you activated the license on one computer, go to Documents\Meridia\Common folder and copy the long "3PL" file.

Put it on a thumbdrive along with the EZ-VOTE2.exe file you downloaded from our AppCenter page (the installer).

Then, simply install the software, even from the thumbdrive, on any other computer, and copy the CSV license file into two folders:

Documents\Meridia\Common

and

C:\ProgramData\Meridia\Common (you may have to type, or copy-paste this into the Windows Explorer address bar)

More on activation can be found here.

2) (ProVOTE Classic) Keypad programming (checking if Base ID of the base matches the same on the keypad)

(If you have another type of keypad, this does not apply and your keypads cannot be reprogrammed without sending them back to Meridia)

A keypad will work with the base only if it's configured to 'listen on' the same channel. We call this Base ID.

In EZ-VOTE --> Tools --> Base Manager, once you connect the base, you will see the Base ID listed where the base information is located.

By the way, if you can't seem to get the base to show up, click on the keypad image (the top one) to activate - it's a one-time thing on each computer.

You may also want to try another USB port, as other apps may be using the same COM port assignment.

Anyway, now that the Base ID is visible - let's say it's 9 - you can push the "ID" button on the keypad and read through the sequence: "b - 0 - 9". It goes on to show "p - 0 - 0 - 1", but that's not important right now. The first part means "B09" which is what you want to see if you want that keypad to work with the base whose ID is also 9.

The second part is "P001" which means the keypad number is 1.

If you find a keypad that's "B07", "B10" or something else...then: 1) the keypads need to be reconfigured, or 2) the Base ID on the base has to be changed.

To reconfigure the base (which may be better and faster)

1) In Tools --> Base Manager --> Advanced Settings

2) Here, change the Base ID to the one your group of keypads is programmed to

3) Click Apply Settings

To reconfigure the keypads, you have to do it one by one:

1) HOLD the CLR button with one hand

2) PUSH 2. Release both. You should see TWO lines. You only have 3 seconds to perform the next step.

3) Enter three-digit number of the Base ID you want the keypad to be 'talking to' - e.g. "009". If done correctly, you should see THREE lines. If not, repeat step 1, 2, 3

3) Clearing data in EZ-VOTE (clearing one slide vs. all slides --> saving a "master" template)

Without clearing data, you won't be able to reuse the slides that have data collected on them.

Simply go to Tools --> Clear Responses and choose to clear Current Slide or All Data (whole presentation).

If you're doing it on the whole presentation, make sure that you've saved your file already - best under a name like "My session 2-2-17 with data"

As you're clearing responses, you will be asked to create a brand new file - one with all the content, but no data (cleared).

It's best if you name this 'cleared' file "Master" so that you can always start from this point and after each polling session, just save the data into a new file, e.g. "new session 2-3-17 with data"

4) Converting slides (in PPTX from someone who doesn't have EZ-VOTE)

If you have someone else create the questions for you without EZ-VOTE, have them use the "Title & Content" slide layout:

Once you have such slide selected/highlighted, go to Meridia/EZ-VOTE tab and click Convert.

5) Corruption prevention (modifications to EZ-VOTE slides outside EZ-VOTE)

If you make polling slides in EZ-VOTE and send the file to someone who doesn't have the software, make sure to tell them not to mess with your questions.

They can make changes to another slide, or simply leave a comment in the Notes, create their one new "question slide" that you can convert later.

NEVER DELETE THE THREE CRITICAL COMPONENTS OF A SLIDE:

1) Question Text Box

2) Answer Text Box

3) Chart/Graph

You can edit the contents of the text boxes. You can change the chart colors via Tools --> Settings --> Chart Colors:

6) Basic polling functions (and rules to be explained to the audience)

Audience

Rule #1 - You can vote anytime you see a question, when polling is open (green).

Rule #2 - Push a button that corresponds with your answer. 

Rule #3 - Change your mind/vote as long as polling is open. Only your last vote counts.

Presenter

Rule #1 - If you don't have a countdown (clock) on the slide, YOUR CLICK will close polling

Rule #2 - If you do have a clock, keep the polling open as LONG as YOU WANT. Only start the clock when majority of votes are in.

Rule #3 - If you close polling accidentally, DON'T MOVE! (you can still breathe :)) Press F5 or the 4th icon from the left on the EZ-VOTE Control Bar (Resume Polling icon)

7) Team setup, scoring and evaluation (reports)

Teams can be set up in two ways:

1) Asking a question

2) Setting up a Participant List

You can show the audience how their teams are doing by inserting a Team Score slide from the Insert Slide menu.

You can run a Game Scores report from the Reports menu to see how teams scored.

Scoring is calculated based on the percentage of the TEAM that answers correctly, e.g. if the correct answer is worth 100 points, and 50% of the TEAM answers correctly, they will receive 50 points.

You CANNOT track teams until you tell EZ-VOTE how to track teams - Tools --> Settings --> Team Settings

8) Turn off Presenter View before presenting

THIS IS IMPORTANT! DON'T FORGET THIS

Go to Slideshow tab --> Uncheck "Use Presenter View"

9) Fixing layout issues (changing chart type)

If your horizontal chart is bothering you (doesn't look good, or just doesn't work), change it to something else via Graph Type drop-down.

You can cover the chart elements with pictures, or other objects, but NEVER DELETE them. See above for 'corruption'.