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⏱️ How to Use Presentation Timers

This guide explains how to set up and use KalkaAI presentation timers for meetings, conferences, and events.

Table of Contents

Quick Start

1. Access Timer Dashboard

  1. 1
    Navigate to Timers: Go to https://www.ariatimer.com or click "Timer" in your KalkaAI dashboard
  2. 2
    Choose Timer Type: Select from available timer modes:
    • Countdown: Set a specific duration and count down to zero
    • Count-up: Start from zero and count upwards
    • Clock: Display current time
    • Hybrid: Show both countdown and current time
  3. 3
    Set Duration: Configure your timer settings:
    • Enter hours, minutes, and seconds
    • Choose warning thresholds (e.g., flash at 5 minutes remaining)
    • Set overtime behavior
  4. 4
    Launch Viewer: Open the viewer display on your presentation screen or projector

Timer Modes

Countdown Timer

Perfect for presentations with fixed time slots.

Features:

  • Set precise durations (hours, minutes, seconds)
  • Visual warnings at customizable thresholds
  • Overtime tracking when time expires

Count-up Timer

Ideal for open discussions and Q&A sessions.

Use Cases:

  • • Timing break-out sessions
  • • Recording actual presentation lengths
  • • Open forum discussions
  • • Workshop activities

Hybrid Mode

Shows both countdown timer and current time simultaneously.

Perfect for:

  • • Multi-day conferences
  • • Virtual meetings across time zones
  • • Events with strict scheduling

Visual Controls

Flash Warnings

Configure visual alerts to notify speakers of time remaining.

Settings:

  • • Warning at 10 minutes: Yellow background
  • • Warning at 5 minutes: Orange background
  • • Warning at 1 minute: Red background with pulsing
  • • Time expired: Flashing red background

Blackout Control

Instantly hide the timer display for sensitive moments.

💡 Pro Tip: Use blackout during confidential discussions, sponsor announcements, or when you need audience focus elsewhere.

Message Display

Show custom messages to your audience in real-time.

Message Types:

  • • Welcome messages
  • • Break announcements
  • • Emergency notifications
  • • Sponsor acknowledgments
  • • Next session previews

Live Messaging

Sending Messages

  1. 1. Type your message in the control panel
  2. 2. Choose text color and background
  3. 3. Select display duration or make it persistent
  4. 4. Click "Send" to display instantly

Message Formatting

// Basic text "Welcome to TechConf 2024!" // Colored text "⚠️ Technical difficulties - please stand by" // Multi-line messages "Coffee break in 5 minutes Please return by 3:30 PM" // Urgent alerts "🚨 EMERGENCY: Please evacuate calmly"

Multi-Timer Setup

Conference Schedule

Set up multiple consecutive timers for full event management.

Example Schedule:

9:00 AM - Opening Keynote45 minutes
9:45 AM - Coffee Break15 minutes
10:00 AM - Panel Discussion60 minutes
11:00 AM - Workshop Sessions90 minutes

Automatic Transitions

Configure timers to automatically advance to the next session.

  • Set buffer time between sessions
  • Display "Next: Session Name" messages
  • Manual override controls for delays

Custom Branding

Theme Customization

Colors

  • • Background colors
  • • Text colors
  • • Warning colors
  • • Border colors

Typography

  • • Font families
  • • Font sizes
  • • Font weights
  • • Text alignment

Logo Integration

Add your organization's logo to the timer display.

📄 Supported formats: PNG, JPG, SVG (recommended for crisp display at any size)

Best Practices

Event Planning

  • Test before the event: Run through your timer setup during rehearsals
  • Position clearly: Ensure timer is visible to speakers without blocking audience view
  • Have backup controls: Designate multiple team members who can control the timer

Speaker Communication

Pre-event Brief

Explain the timer system and warning signals to all speakers before the event.

Clear Signals

Use consistent color codes and messaging so speakers understand time warnings.

Grace Period

Build in small buffer times between sessions to accommodate natural overruns.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Timer Not Starting

Issue: Timer doesn't respond to start command

Solutions:

  • • Refresh the browser page
  • • Check internet connection
  • • Verify timer duration is set correctly
  • • Try different browser or incognito mode

Display Not Updating

Issue: Timer shows but doesn't count down

Solutions:

  • • Check if timer is paused
  • • Reload the viewer window
  • • Verify browser allows autoplay
  • • Check for JavaScript errors in console

Messages Not Displaying

Issue: Live messages don't appear on viewer

Solutions:

  • • Confirm control panel and viewer are connected
  • • Check message duration settings
  • • Try sending test message
  • • Verify WebSocket connection status

Performance Optimization

  • Use Chrome or Firefox for best compatibility
  • Close unnecessary browser tabs and applications
  • Test with event WiFi before going live

Getting Help

For immediate support during your event:

  • • Visit AriaTimer.com for live chat support
  • • Check browser console for error messages (F12 key)
  • • Have your event details and browser information ready
  • • Contact our support team for pre-event setup assistance
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