Web Conferencing Blog

Some online conferencing solutions offer only one option, some offer both. But which is actually more useful?

With desktop sharing the focus is on the participants. The host invites the attendees to have a look at his desktop. This has the great advantage that quick change between documents and applications is possible and that the host can quickly search the file structure for an additional document if needed. If the entire desktop is shared, online meetings with external contacts may be a bit delicate if the entire desktop is displayed instead of selected applications. Also, a “messy” desktop or an unorderly file structure are sources of possible embarrassment. A good online conferencing solution should therefore definitely offer a screen cleaning function.

Web conferencing in virtual rooms focuses on the event. The atmosphere is not as “informal” as with desktop sharing. All participants meet in one room and have access to the same range of functionalities, e.g. presentation tools and a whiteboard. The possibilities of interaction are more restricted in a virtual room since documents must be uploaded and are often only accepted in MS Office or PDF format. Only few online conferencing solutions offer interactive handling of documents so that in most cases it is strictly watch or present.

Considering our focus on web conferencing solutions, desktop sharing definitely is the preferred option. If you think differently we would be glad to hear your thoughts.

As is clearly visible in our evaluations of online meeting solutions, user-friendliness weighs in heavily. And for good reason too, because if you want to present information online or have a virtual team-meeting you can’t waste time trying to figure out how to get a specific gadget to work. Meeting organizers and participants need easy-to-use software to operate quickly and smoothly.

User-friendliness does not mean – at least for us – hoarding functionalities in one tool. We favor the less-is-more approach to web conferencing. Packing loads of functionalities into one tool may make for a powerful software, but it takes time and effort to learn to operate it properly (e.g. WebEx). Splitting services into multiple tools with only a limited number of features gives the user an easy-to-use solution for his requirements (e.g. Citrix GoToMeeting, GoToWebinar, GoToAssist, GoToMyPC, and GoToTraining)

More details on our criteria for evaluation can be found on our homepage.

Take a look at the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference and the politicians that participate. They arrive in their private planes, are then brought to their hotels in huge, non solar-powered limos, and then get together for one and a half weeks to save the world’s climate. At least that is the plan. In reality this little  get-together produces just as much carbon dioxide as a town the size of Middlesbrough, according to the British Telegraph. To pass the resolutions that are to be expected, the world’s leaders could have utilized more effective ways, saving money, time, and carbon emissions.

Granted, online conferences will not save the world, still, the idea to get the leaders of the world together in one great web conference is kind of intriguing.

We have made it our rule to not evaluate enterprise online meeting tools but we would nevertheless like to make you aware of RHUB, which we find to be an interesting web conferencing solution.

TurboMeeting exists in various versions. In the smallest version two web conferences can take place in parallel with a total of 10 participants. On the upside, TurboMeeting supports a broad range of platforms, e.g. Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Solaris/Unix, iPhone. On the downside, neither VoIP nor a telephone conferencing service is integrated.

As an enterprise solution RHUB is definitely interesting. Yet, with our focus on SMBs we will not evalutate the tool in detail.

We received a comment from Robert and we thought we should share our perspective on the topic with you.

Feedback from Robert:

[...]Kind of ridiculous when comparing these web collaboration solutions to leave out the dominant market share leader – WebEx Meeting Center Pro. The MeetMeNow product is just the company’s cheap answer to lowest cost solutions for home office use. Yes the cost is higher for the market-leading WebEx product, but the solution is in another league in most respects too.[...]

Our perspective:
The website focuses on web conferencing solutions targeted to freelancers and small companies. Therefore, we decided to select software solutions that fit best the requirements for these target groups. If we review software solutions in the league of WebEx Meeting Center Pro we should assess Adobe Connect Pro (but not Adobe Connect), Citrix GoToMeeting Corporate (but not Citrix GoToMeeting), Elluminate Live! (but not Elluminate vRoom), iLinc or Interwise in order to be consistent.

If you are interested in hearing about the test results for WebEx Meeting Center, please go to our Enterprise solutions web page.

We received the following feedback from Jamie on May 19, 2008:

Hi. I am starting a business called goginet.com and I need an interactive e-learning tool. I have been using your information to evaluate the different systems, and have found I agree with 95% of your recommendations/observations. Thanks for the great resource. I also like your openess about t he affiliate programs, etc. Very cool to disclose it all. I have found Yugma to be very good. Perhaps it has evolved somewhat from the point you did the tests. Webex has what seems to be the only ecommerce package, but it is so expensive. Thanks again,
Jamie Robe