Index: lams_tool_dimdim/conf/language/lams/ApplicationResources.properties
===================================================================
diff -u -rf273f605d3c64f4ce6a52818f3fb5268b5db4fc9 -rc7764a3661e8b15fcd6b917e0597109edcb195c7
--- lams_tool_dimdim/conf/language/lams/ApplicationResources.properties	(.../ApplicationResources.properties)	(revision f273f605d3c64f4ce6a52818f3fb5268b5db4fc9)
+++ lams_tool_dimdim/conf/language/lams/ApplicationResources.properties	(.../ApplicationResources.properties)	(revision c7764a3661e8b15fcd6b917e0597109edcb195c7)
@@ -101,6 +101,9 @@
 label.monitoring.startConference = Start Conference
 
 label.learning.joinConference = Join Conference
+label.learning.conferenceNotAvailable = The Dim Dim conference is not available.  Please see your instructor for further details.
 
+label.refresh = Refresh
+
 export.toolExportNotSupported = This tool does not support export portfolio.
 #======= End labels: Exported 78 labels for en AU =====
Index: lams_tool_dimdim/src/java/org/lamsfoundation/lams/tool/dimdim/util/Constants.java
===================================================================
diff -u -rf273f605d3c64f4ce6a52818f3fb5268b5db4fc9 -rc7764a3661e8b15fcd6b917e0597109edcb195c7
--- lams_tool_dimdim/src/java/org/lamsfoundation/lams/tool/dimdim/util/Constants.java	(.../Constants.java)	(revision f273f605d3c64f4ce6a52818f3fb5268b5db4fc9)
+++ lams_tool_dimdim/src/java/org/lamsfoundation/lams/tool/dimdim/util/Constants.java	(.../Constants.java)	(revision c7764a3661e8b15fcd6b917e0597109edcb195c7)
@@ -51,6 +51,6 @@
 	
 	// Parameter names
 	public static final String PARAM_USER_UID = "userUID";
+	public static final String ATTR_CONFERENCE_OPEN = "conferenceOpen";
 
-
 }
Index: lams_tool_dimdim/src/java/org/lamsfoundation/lams/tool/dimdim/web/actions/LearningAction.java
===================================================================
diff -u -r2714c5d509bed30e460ccc453753e6504804d4a1 -rc7764a3661e8b15fcd6b917e0597109edcb195c7
--- lams_tool_dimdim/src/java/org/lamsfoundation/lams/tool/dimdim/web/actions/LearningAction.java	(.../LearningAction.java)	(revision 2714c5d509bed30e460ccc453753e6504804d4a1)
+++ lams_tool_dimdim/src/java/org/lamsfoundation/lams/tool/dimdim/web/actions/LearningAction.java	(.../LearningAction.java)	(revision c7764a3661e8b15fcd6b917e0597109edcb195c7)
@@ -208,11 +208,16 @@
 
 		matcher.find();
 		String connectURL = matcher.group(1);
-		
-		String s = new String();
 
-		request.setAttribute(Constants.ATTR_CONFERENCE_URL, serverURL.getValue() + connectURL);
+		boolean conferenceOpen = connectURL.isEmpty() ? false : true;
+		request.setAttribute(Constants.ATTR_CONFERENCE_OPEN, conferenceOpen);
 
+		if (conferenceOpen) {
+			request.setAttribute(Constants.ATTR_CONFERENCE_URL, serverURL
+					.getValue()
+					+ connectURL);
+		}
+
 		return mapping.findForward("dimdim");
 	}
 
Index: lams_tool_dimdim/web/pages/learning/learning.jsp
===================================================================
diff -u -rf273f605d3c64f4ce6a52818f3fb5268b5db4fc9 -rc7764a3661e8b15fcd6b917e0597109edcb195c7
--- lams_tool_dimdim/web/pages/learning/learning.jsp	(.../learning.jsp)	(revision f273f605d3c64f4ce6a52818f3fb5268b5db4fc9)
+++ lams_tool_dimdim/web/pages/learning/learning.jsp	(.../learning.jsp)	(revision c7764a3661e8b15fcd6b917e0597109edcb195c7)
@@ -48,12 +48,6 @@
 	<p>
 		${contentDTO.instructions}
 	</p>
-	
-	<p>
-		<html:link href="${conferenceURL}" target="_blank">
-			<fmt:message key="label.learning.joinConference" />
-		</html:link>
-	</p>	
 
 	<c:if test="${contentDTO.lockOnFinish and mode == 'learner'}">
 		<div class="info">
@@ -68,6 +62,24 @@
 		</div>
 	</c:if>
 
+	<p>
+		<c:choose>
+			<c:when test="${conferenceOpen}">
+				<html:link href="${conferenceURL}" target="_blank">
+					<fmt:message key="label.learning.joinConference" />
+				</html:link>
+			</c:when>
+			<c:otherwise>
+				<p>
+					<fmt:message key="label.learning.conferenceNotAvailable" />
+				</p>
+				<html:link href="#" onclick="window.location.reload()">
+					<fmt:message key="label.refresh" />
+				</html:link>
+			</c:otherwise>
+		</c:choose>
+	</p>	
+
 	<html:form action="/learning" method="post"
 		onsubmit="return validateForm();">
 		<html:hidden property="dispatch" value="finishActivity" />