[Web4lib] video conferencing suggestions

Tue Oct 20 17:55:35 EDT 2009

I did a fairly extensive review of products for my organization within the past year.  We went with Adobe Connect and I'm very satisfied.  That said, every organization has different needs, and I think it's true that no system meets them all.

A couple things based on info already given. I believe every system will have echo if someone uses speakers instead of headsets, and its a best practice not to do that - I don't think this has much to do with the quality of the system.  Also, you will have bandwidth issues with video no matter what system you use - video takes bandwidth regardless.

I'm not sure about other systems on this feature, but Connect allows you to adjust bandwidth settings on the host and participant sides, which may be a feature for you to explore in various systems since you are looking to use video.  

I think DimDim would be fine for your first need.  I would be hesitant for the second need.  One of the primary things I learned in the evaluation process (which I guess I already know from most areas of life) - you get what you pay for, and you can't really expect this freeware to work like something from, say, Adobe. (I know DimDim is open source but it doesn't have the community support that would make open source a reasonable option in this case).

On the sophistication factor I highly recommend Connect - the system of "pods" or little windows that you can drag into whatever position you want is really slick.  Plus you can get an education discount that's significant. And, you can use Presenter and Captivate content, use Flash applications, etc. - all very nice.

The "top three" systems are considered to be WebEx, GoToMeeting and Adobe Connect, for what that's worth.  Again looking at the sophistication need.

Good luck!

Mary Beth Faccioli, MLIS
Instructional Design & Technology Consultant
Colorado State Library

--- On Tue, 10/20/09, Robert Balliot <rballiot at gmail.com> wrote:

> From: Robert Balliot <rballiot at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Web4lib] video conferencing suggestions
> To: "Cary Gordon" <listuser at chillco.com>
> Cc: "web4lib at webjunction.org" <web4lib at webjunction.org>
> Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 3:24 PM
> I like DimDim.  There is no
> download required unless you are the host and
> screen-sharing,
> There are many features - including white board and
> chat.  They have a free
> premium
> thirty day trial along with a free version.
> 
> *http://www.dimdim.com/products/dimdim_editions_pro.html*<http://www.dimdim.com/products/dimdim_editions_free.html>
> 
> The only downside that I found was audio echo from people
> using speakers and
> mikes
> instead of headsets.
> 
> R. Balliot
> http://oceanstatelibrarian.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Tue, Oct 20, 2009 at 3:02 PM, Cary Gordon <listuser at chillco.com>
> wrote:
> 
> > We use GoToMeeting for multi-user conferencing, and
> Skype for
> > one-to-one conferencing.
> >
> > The problem with video, as opposed to voice and
> screen/presentation
> > sharing (which is sprite based) is that it is
> relatively high
> > bandwidth. Generally we only do video in a small
> window, and usually
> > turn it off when it isn't essential.
> >
> > On Mon, Oct 19, 2009 at 12:01 PM, Kimberly Silk
> > <kimberly.silk at rotman.utoronto.ca>
> wrote:
> > > Hi everyone,
> > >
> > > I'd like to get opinions and suggestions on
> different videoconferencing
> > solutions. In my organization, we have 2 scenarios in
> which we want to use
> > videoconferencing:
> > >
> > >
> > > 1.       A
> quick-and-easy setup for classroom use when we have 3
> > locations to hook up together. I'd love to use
> something plug-and-playish
> > like NetMeeting or Adobe Breeze. As long as the sound
> is good, we can
> > tolerate mid-range video. The key here is that it
> should be easy to set up
> > and appropriate for individuals to join in the
> conversation using their
> > laptops w/ camera and microphone built in.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > 2.       A more
> sophisticated setup that can be used by our lead
> > researcher to speak to larger groups, conferences,
> summits, etc where he can
> > use videoconferencing instead of traveling. For
> instance, he does a lot of
> > radio interviews and they are very good quality even
> when the radio station
> > sets up a portable studio here, as opposed to having
> to travel to the
> > studio. Is there something similar available for
> videoconferencing?
> > >
> > >
> > > Many thanks!
> > > Kim
> > >
> > >
> > >
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> > > Kimberly Silk, MLS
> > > Data Librarian, The Martin Prosperity Institute
> > > Joseph L. Rotman School of Management, University
> of Toronto
> > > MaRS Centre, Heritage Building
> > > 101 College Street, Suite 420
> > > Toronto, ON M5G 1L7
> > > Office: 416-673-8586
> > > Mobile: 416-721-8955
> > > Email: kimberly.silk at martinprosperity.org
> > > Skype: kimberly.silk
> > > Twitter: kimberlysilk
> > > Web: www.martinprosperity.org
> > >
> > > WHO'S YOUR CITY? Find out at http://placefinder.rotman.utoronto.ca
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Cary Gordon
> > The Cherry Hill Company
> > http://chillco.com
> >
> >
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> >
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