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20. Collaboration-tools

caution

Paratext Live changed in Paratext 9.3.

Introduction In this module you will use Paratext Live as a way that the team can collaborate together so that everyone can see the changes to the text on their own computers.

Before you start We have already seen how to collaborate with Send/Receive. There are times, for example during a consultant check, when several people need to look at the same text, and perhaps edit it together. Paratext Live allows everyone to look at the text on their own computer and see the changes in real time.

Why this is important There are several other ways to let everyone look at the same text. But Paratext Live not only lets everyone see the text, but it also allows more than one person to edit the text.

What are you going to do?

  • Connect all users to the same network.
  • Send/Receive.
  • Start Paratext Live and join a session
  • Edit the document
  • Exchange all files
  • Exit Paratext Live
  • Send/Receive
info

4.1 Collaboration Tools The video has been revised for Paratext 9.3.

tip

You may want to try switching to screen sharing (using a tool like Skype or Zoom) while working on spelling, Biblical terms, etc, so everyone can see the changes. And then switch back to using Paratext Live as it requires lower bandwidth.

Upgrade

Paratext 9.3 allows you to choose a server. Everyone in a particular live session still needs to use the same server (either Primary or Secondary), it is just that from 9.3 you can work with someone on 9.1 or someone else on 9.2 (just not at the same time.)

20.1 Paratext Live​

tip

All users do not need to do a send/receive before starting but if Paratext detects too many changes it will advise that you do a send/receive. Everyone must be connected to the same network.

Connect to the same network​

Paratext Live can use

  • Internet
  • a local network
  • offline WiFi router
  • hotspot with mobile data disabled.

Start Paratext Live​

  1. Open the menu for the project.
  2. Under Tools, click Paratext Live.
  3. Or use the icon on the toolbar.
    • Two choices are displayed

Choose the server​

If all users are using 9.2 or above

  • You can choose the first option Internet (primary) to connect to the Internet.

    • A dialog box is displayed

  • Click either "Wait to join" or "Start session" (to be the host) as appropriate.

    • A dialog box may be displayed
    • If Autosave in Paratext Settings is not on, the Live session will turn it on for the duration of the session.

If not,

  • Choose the second option Select different server.

    • A dialog box is displayed showing the five options.

Which one do you choose?

  • Choose the first option Internet (primary) if all users have Paratext 9.2 or above
  • Choose the second option Internet (secondary) if any user has Paratext 9.0 or 9.1.
  • Choose the third option if you are all connected to a local area network and want to use that LAN to connect.
  • Click OK.

Start or wait

  • Click Start/Join Live session.
    • Paratext then effectively asks if you are the host (that is, you will remain until the end)
  • If you are not the primary editor/host, click wait, don’t press cancel as that will cancel your joining the live session.
  • If you are the host, click Start Session.
    • With a session active, the Paratext Live button is green

Sharing changes from Tools​

All scripture text is shared in Paratext Live. However, changes made with various tools are not shared automatically. Examples of these unshared changes are to spelling status, Parallel passage status, Biblical Terms and their identified renderings, and Notes. To share these changes:

  • Click the Paratext Live button on the toolbar,

  • Click “Exchange all files”
    • All of the users then receive updates to these files.
caution

Changes from all users are shared, but if two people have changed the exact same item differently, only one person’s change will be saved.

End the Paratext Live session​

  • Click on the Paratext Live icon.
  • Choose End/Leave Live session.
  • If you are the principal editor (host), you will see a message.
  • Click End the session normally.
  • Send/Receive.
info

For more help, search for live in the search box on the title bar. There are lots of useful topics on Paratext Live.