In our digitally infused lives here at the University, it has become increasingly necessary to collaborate and stay in-touch with colleagues far and wide — not to mention carving out time to meet with folks at distant corners of the campus (or even office!). Web conferencing to the rescue. With great efficiency I can connect with multiple folks, from the simplicity of my laptop, to germinate wild ideas, iron-out projects, dynamically generate documents, and hash over the nitty-gritty that drives productivity.
Webinars and online meetings are web conferences that deliver content between participants at different locations via the internet. A webinar delivers materials from a designated presenter to remote audiences. An online meeting provides a collaborative platform for sharing information and ideas between multiple participants at different locations.
The most useful web-based meetings typically involve some combination of collaborative document editing, whiteboard brainstorming, media presentations, desktop screen sharing, and audio/video chatting.
You will find that these web conferences are not only time-efficient but also economical in this time of shrinking budgets and travel restraints. Along with increased project success I’ve found that the convenience of creating meetings offers immediate feedback on materials and ideas, as well as the opportunity for increased interaction between colleagues that otherwise would have limited meeting times.
Most software applications provide the ability to create or schedule a meeting and invite participants with minimal set-up. For a successful adventure in web conferencing, your participants will need to have: a moderate- to high-speed internet connection, a computer microphone (or headset) and optionally, a webcam.
Listed below is a selection of free browser-based web conferencing tools to get you started!
DimDim
Browser-based web conferencing hosting for up to 20 people at once. Host has to provides username, email & password – invitees only click a connection link in the email sent for scheduling the webinar. Provides sharing of: screen, documents (images, PPTs, PDFs), weblinks, webcam, and whiteboard, as well as public and private chats and web conference recordings.
- Cost: Free
Maximum Participants: 20 participants
Video Capacity: 1 webcam
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Browsers: Firefox, IE, Safari
Link: http://www.dimdim.com
Tiny Chat
Browser-based web conferencing with live video, audio, and screensharing chatroom for up to 12 people at once. Invitees follow a link and turn on their mic or webcam. Easy links to invite participants from social networks such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. Provides screen, video sharing, and conference recording.
- Cost: Free
Maximum Participants: 12 participants
Video Capacity: multiple webcams
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Browsers: Firefox, IE, Safari, Chrome
Additonal: iPhone version available
Link: http://tinychat.com
Vyew
Browser-based synchronous and asynchronous web conferencing for up to 10 participants. Meetings saved on line for editing and viewing. Provides sharing of: screen, documents (images, PPTs, PDFs), and whiteboard, as well as public and private chats, and meeting archiving.
- Cost: Free
Maximum Participants: 10 participants
Video Capacity: in beta currently
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux
Browsers: Firefox, IE, Safari, Chrome
Link: http://vyew.com
Choosing a particular web-based app will depend on what materials/media you need to share and what tools will be most helpful for a given project or meeting. If video chatting is necessary for that personal connection, give Tiny Chat a test drive. If whiteboard and screensharing is on your agenda, give DimDim a whirl. And, if persistent document creating/editing is vital, head first to Vyew.