StreamText.Net Quick Start Guide
Now that you've completed setting up your account, there are a few steps to complete to be able to stream your first event. If you have not created your account you will need to complete this first by going to http://admin.streamtext.net/create-account.aspx and completing the form.
You will see the form below:
Now that you have your account just do the following:
Step #1: Download and install Connector Application
StreamText.Net offers a free connector application that allows you to connect and write to the service. Just review the following steps and to install and review the connector Streamtext.Net Connector Overview document if you need more details. We also have a screencasts on the support site that show how to install and use the connector application on the support site under this section http://support.streamtext.net/KB/c5/connector.aspx.
Typical Install:
- Go to http://www.streamtext.net/tools/connector
- Install the virtual com ports first. To do this you will need to click on the third prerequisite "Virtual COM Ports"
- Now click the "Install Connector Application" button and complete the install
- Enter you user name and password when promted and the connector will automaticall start
- The program can be found under the StreamText.Net file. You can then make a shortcut if desired.
- Select "Com Port" for your writing source.
- Click the com port number and enter a comport to receive your realtime output from your writing platform. You will need to set up your writing platform to then send its realtime output on the same com port.
- Click "Connect and Write" - You should see connected status of "True" and the com port connected status "True" as well. If not then make sure your login is correct and that your realtime file is started and outputting on the selected com port
Step #2: Log-in to StreamText.Net and schedule an event
Go to www.streamtext.net and click the "Sign-In" link in the upper right hand corner. Enter the email address and password that you used when you created the account. If you forget your email address this page also has a "forgot password" link which will send you the current password.
After sign-in is complete you will be directed to the Dashboard shown below. This screen will display your events scheduled or completed today. If you have a job scheduled for you it will be displayed below. Please review the icon definitions under "Actions". These allow you to do a number of management functions including viewing the event.
Now click on the "Schedule Event" link that should now be available on left menu. 
You only need to assign an event name, the writer for the event and the parsing format. You will notice that the date and time default to the current time and events start when this date and time is reached.
Required Fields:
- Event Name - Any character sequence is allowed except spaces.
- Scheduled date - Date event will start.
- Scheduled time - Time event will start.
- Duration - Length of event. Note an event with zero minutes will run until you stop writing after 5 minutes.
- Writer - The assigned writer for the event.
- Parsing format - Your parsing format needs to match the output from your writing software. We support Case View, ANSI, Closed Caption and Typewell formats. If you are using the application window the parsing format is Standard Text.
Complete the form for scheduling the event and click "Create Event".
For more details on the other features of StreamText.Net scheduling please review the article How to schedule and manage events in StreamText.aspx .
Step #3: Starting real-time and connecting to event
- Start the connector and click the “Connect and Write” button. If it is already running that is fine. You are only charged for the time an event is active not the time you are connected to StreamText.Net.
- Start your realtime file in your writing software.
- Login to StreamText.Net
- Start your event if it has not automatically started
- Once the status is live you can view the event by clicking on the watch event icon under “Actions” to the right of the event listing.
- Please review the URL in the browser session that opens. This is the link you would email your customers to view. Notice the format is the same except for the event name.
That's it. After completing those 3 steps you should be streaming text real-time over the Internet. When you set-up future events, you'll only need to perform steps #2 and #3.
What if I have Problems or Questions?
If you do have problems or questions, please submit a ticket by clicking on the link below and we'll follow-up with you to help finish your set-up process. We also have a 24/7 support number 608-234-4759 for urgent support needs.
Create New Ticket