[WEB4LIB] Distantly related to live reference software

[Zimoski, Tom]

Peter, thanks for your prompt reply.  In his original question my patron
wrote:

"On our searches, we keep running across Microsoft "Netmeeting".  But
that has been discontinued and the certain functions of that program are
not available in what has replaced it."

I'm not sure if he's correct.  I'm sorry I didn't include this info in
my original post.

Tom Zimoski
Reference Dept/Fresno County Library

-----Original Message-----
From: Binkley, Peter [mailto:Peter.Binkley at ualberta.ca] 
Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 10:00 AM
To: Zimoski, Tom
Subject: RE: [WEB4LIB] Distantly related to live reference software


If they're both using Windows, and if their hardware and networking will
support it, they can use NetMeeting, which comes with Windows - Start /
Accessories / Communications. If it isn't there they may need to get out
their installation cds and install it. I've used it for this kind of
thing with moderate success due to network lag, but when it works it's
fine.

Peter

Peter Binkley, Ph.D., MLIS
Digital Initiatives Technology Librarian
Information Technology Services
4-30 Cameron Library
University of Alberta Libraries
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6G 2J8
Phone: (780) 492-3743
Fax: (780) 492-9243
e-mail: peter.binkley at ualberta.ca



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Zimoski, Tom [mailto:Tom.Zimoski at fresnolibrary.org]
> Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 10:13 AM
> To: Multiple recipients of list
> Subject: [WEB4LIB] Distantly related to live reference software
> 
> 
> Greetings:
> 
> I have a library patron in the tutoring business who is
> looking for a software/hardware combo that will allow him and 
> a student
> 
> 1) to talk to each other (different from type to each other)
> 2) draw with a stylus on a tablet of some sort, such drawing
> appearing on both of their screens
> 
> Here's some back and forth that may make his objective
> clearer: 
> _________________________________________________________________
> Am I right in thinking that you want what you write or draw 
> to appear on your computer monitor and your student's 
> monitor? Or would the writing apparatus have it's own 
> display?  Should the student be able to draw on your drawing?
> 
> Tom Zimoski
> 
> _________________________________________________________________
> 
> Tom,
> 
> Yes, to the first question and maybe yes to the third.  The
> student and me will be at two different locations and we'll 
> both be logged on to the Internet and we will each have 
> writing pads with a stylus and a microphone.  Whatever either 
> of us "writes" on the writing pad will appear on the screen 
> and we can write on top of each other or beside each other's 
> writing, just like sharing the same piece of paper.  (There 
> might be some set up out there that provides for two separate writing
> spaces.)
> 
> As to the second question, the writing pad is just a surface
> with no display.  It's just something to press on that has 
> sensors to know where you are pressing with the stylus.  It's 
> hooked up to the computer via a USB port.  All the images 
> appear on the regular computer monitor.  
> 
> I was surprised to learn that a writing pad can function
> exactly like a mouse, and the computer that it's plugged in 
> to won't know the difference!  So if I can find a program 
> that has a "whiteboard" for scribbling notes or whatever it 
> calls that window on the screen, then even if that program 
> was intended to enable a mouse to trace out images, then I 
> could also use the writing pad and stylus.
> 
> There has to be some program or applet out there to enable
> this sort of thing besides the Yahoo messenger "Doodles" 
> IMvironment, which has too small of a window.  It seems so 
> basic, but who has the product for sale?
> 
> _________________________________________________________________
> 
> Any suggestions you might give me will be appreciated,
> including suggestions about who else I should be asking for 
> help.  Thanks for your attention.
> 
> Tom Zimoski
> Reference Dept/Fresno County Library
> 2420 Mariposa St.
> Fresno, CA  93721
> Phone: 559-488-2976
> 
> 
>