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Internet meetings

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:49 am
by Charles L. Cotton
I need some information about ‘net-meeting software or services. The Moderators are going to have regular meetings and my idea of using Skype probably isn't going to work.

Does anyone have a recommendation? I'd rather not use a paid service, unless it's absolutely necessary.

Thanks,
Chas.

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 1:53 pm
by anygunanywhere
Chas,

The company I work for uses Windows Netmeeting. I am not sure what package is is standards with since we use XP Professional.

We use it on our global WAN. I do not know if it would work if the users are not on the same network.

It is easy to use, demonstarted by the fact that I can use it easily.

Good luck.

Anygun

Re: Internet meetings

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 2:16 pm
by BrassMonkey
What will you need to accomplish in these online meetings? Voice Only? Desktop Sharing? Remote control?
Charles L. Cotton wrote:I need some information about ‘net-meeting software or services. The Moderators are going to have regular meetings and my idea of using Skype probably isn't going to work.

Does anyone have a recommendation? I'd rather not use a paid service, unless it's absolutely necessary.

Thanks,
Chas.

Re: Internet meetings

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 3:38 pm
by Charles L. Cotton
BrassMonkey wrote:What will you need to accomplish in these online meetings? Voice Only? Desktop Sharing? Remote control?
Charles L. Cotton wrote:I need some information about ‘net-meeting software or services. The Moderators are going to have regular meetings and my idea of using Skype probably isn't going to work.

Does anyone have a recommendation? I'd rather not use a paid service, unless it's absolutely necessary.

Thanks,
Chas.
Voice only for these meetings. However, being able to see a document, spreadsheet, etc. may be useful for other things like planning various events and matches. But that's not for the Moderators here.
Chas.

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:13 pm
by BrassMonkey
I can put up a Ventrilo server in a couple of minutes. The port is already open on my server. I used to use it for gaming, but not in years. As a matter of fact, I can setup a general room for board members to chat on if you like. I have plenty of bandwidth on this server, it is on the main fiber loop in Downtown Dallas. No downtime in 3 years. Just say the word....

http://www.ventrilo.com/applications.php

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 5:24 pm
by nitrogen
You might want a conference calling service.
Some free ones:
http://www.freeconference.com/
http://www.freeaudioconferencing.com/

For pay services usually are better quality. Office Depot has some deals for small businesses if you need an 800 number, but one of these should work for you.

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 8:16 pm
by Liberty
Whats wrong with IRC? I haven't used IRC in a while but the software is free. You might want to find a small network. because it's text based it will work even for those that are on dial up.

Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 9:22 pm
by GeoJAP
BrassMonkey wrote:I can put up a Ventrilo server in a couple of minutes. The port is already open on my server. I used to use it for gaming, but not in years. As a matter of fact, I can setup a general room for board members to chat on if you like. I have plenty of bandwidth on this server, it is on the main fiber loop in Downtown Dallas. No downtime in 3 years. Just say the word....

http://www.ventrilo.com/applications.php
Agreed. Ventrilo or TeamSpeak is the way to go if you want to minimize cost. It is basically a piece of software on any computer with an internet connection that everyone will connect to. In effect, it is like a conference call on your computer, any time you want.

The catch is that you must have a some sort of microphone and speakers that will connect to your computer (and that will work properly). I use a USB headset. I think I have this one here: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDe ... ode=361712

The exact model or method isn't important, but it must be able to pick up sound from a microphone and you must have some sort of speakers to play everyone else's conversation. Your regular computer speakers will work but are a poor solution as the other participants' conversation will feedback into the microphone. Headsets are best.

It takes a little bit of practice to get comfortable with the software but it's by far the cheapest and most effective method for having conference calls.

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 10:47 pm
by glock75
We use Sightspeed and Gotomeeting. Both very reliable and very cost effective depending upon our need. Sometimes, we use both.

Sightspeed is video and voice conferencing. Each user must have a computer camera setup and a microphone (some cameras come with the microphone built in).

Gotomeeting allows each user to see the host or presenter computer screen allowing presentation, etc. Each participant dials in to a 1-800 number for the conference call. Not free, but not expensive either. Very cost effective.

For us, we use dual screens on our computers which allows both video and netmeeting functionality.

http://www.sightspeed.com
http://www.gotomeeting.com

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 12:44 am
by WarHawk-AVG
BrassMonkey wrote:I can put up a Ventrilo server in a couple of minutes. The port is already open on my server. I used to use it for gaming, but not in years. As a matter of fact, I can setup a general room for board members to chat on if you like. I have plenty of bandwidth on this server, it is on the main fiber loop in Downtown Dallas. No downtime in 3 years. Just say the word....

http://www.ventrilo.com/applications.php
True..I run a TeamSpeak server as well, they are very powerful VOIP communication programs and are free and very easy to use