In order to use Photo Party Upload, you need to have a WiFi network so that your Windows Tablet or Mac iPad and computer can communicate with each other. There are many ways to create and configure a WiFi network.  Please see below for additional information about how to do so.

Using Helper without Internet

A wireless network can exist with an internet signal or without an internet signal. If your network does NOT have an internet signal, you will be able to transfer photos from your computer to your iPad but you will not be able to use Facebook and Twitter as these services require a live internet connection in order to validate passwords. You will be able to use email but emails will not send immediately, you will have to send your emails later when your computer is connected to the internet. To send emails after an event that didn't have an internet connection, follow these instructions: 

1. 

Open the Photo Party Upload Helper on your computer (once your computer is connected to the internet) by double clicking on the icon in the task bar. 

2.

Click on the Queue status tab at the top of the window 

3.

Click Resend Suspended.  Your emails will now send.

Working around Network Firewalls

WiFi networks may have firewalls enabled which prevent your computer from communicating with your iPad. If this is the case, the Photo Party Upload app will display the "no Helper found on local network" error. It is very common for large venues such as hotels, malls, and convention centers to have firewalls on their wireless networks. If this is the case, we recommend that you use a program called "Connectify"  (windows 7 - does not work on Windows XP - see our Connectify Solution for more information). or use your own router or mobile hotspot instead of the venues.

• Router - A router with no internet connection can still create a WiFi network. We recommend asking your venue to provide you a live internet connection via an Ethernet cable, then plugging this into your router. This is a very reliable way to make sure you have a strong internet signal on your WiFi network at your event. We like to use a router such as the Netgear N600 found HERE.
• Mobile Hotspot - Most Photo Party Upload photographers end up buying their own mobile hotspot if they intend to use Photo Party Upload regularly. Mobile hotspots use available cell service to broadcast a WiFi network. They are wireless and easy to use making them a great solution. Please note that most hotspots will generate a WiFi network even if there is no cell service available. If this is the case, you will not be able to use Facebook or Twitter. All major cell service providers offer their own version of a Mobile Hotspot (often called a "MiFi device"). Cell service providers will require a 2 year contract. If you do not want to enter a two year contract, we recommend a "no-contract Verizon hotspot".  Many devices are available on the market - Please note that battery life is not very good on many Mobile Hotspots. We recommend that you check to see if the device can function while plugged in and get a device that shows you it's cell signal strength and battery life. You can often buy backup batteries on Amazon.com - While using your Android or iPhone's mobile hotspot should work, we do not recommend this as a long term solution and definitely recommend that you test before going to an event.
• Venue's WiFi - Using the available WiFi at a venue can be risky because they might have a firewall on their network. If this is the case, the Photo Party Upload app will display the "no Helper found on local network" error. It is very common for large venues such as hotels, malls, and convention centers to have firewalls on their wireless networks. If this is the case, we recommend that you use a program called "Connectify"  (windows 7 - does not work on Windows XP - see our Connectify Solution for more information). or use your own router or mobile hotspot instead of the venues.
  
  

Working around WiFi Interference

Large venues such as sports arenas and convention centers often have so many WiFI enabled devices that interference between them prevents devices from using the WiFi network reliably. If this is the case, you will not be able to use Photo Party Upload. The only solution (which does not always overcome the problem is to use a 5ghz router).

For more info on how to work around these issues and avoid such problems, please READ THIS DATA SHEET..