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Unit 12: Collaborating via Web-based Communication Tools

person to person so each participant can focus the meeting onto their shared documents or Notes
computer screen as the need arises. WebEx supports multiple video streams so you can view up
to six people in the meeting, not just the person presenting. WebEx also supports mobile devices
so even participants away from their computers can participate in the conference through their
smartphones or mobile devices like iPads.

12.2.2 Tinychat

Not everyone needs document sharing, screen sharing, or other fancy conferencing tools.
Sometimes your needs are as simple as getting some people together, for free, and talking via
computer as close to face-to-face interaction as possible. Tinychat is a simple service that allows
you to stream up to 12 webcams simultaneously while participating in audio and text-based
chat. You can have hundreds of chat-based users, mind you, but only up to 12 video cameras
going at one time. You can make a Tinychat room in a single click, share the link, and all your
friends or coworkers will be video chatting in a matter of minutes—no fees or fussing with
signups requires. Its bare bones compared to the feature-laden and high-price options in the
Hive, but if all you need is video and chat, it’s a solid pick.

Task Create a Tinychat account and use its web conferencing feature and try to perform
desktop sharing.

12.2.3 GoToMeeting

GoToMeeting has a strong focus on desktop and document sharing, but skips video support
altogether. When you’re presenting, you do all your communicating via voice and using the
built-in screen and document sharing tools combined with the on-screen drawing tools to
highlight components of your presentation. GoToMeeting has multiple ways to interact with
the presentation; the presenter can.

Example: Pass control of the keyboard and mouse to another person who wants to
demonstrate something without transferring the full Presenter status to them. GoToMeeting
supports recording to archive meetings, attendance reporting, and scheduling for future meetings.

12.2.4 Dimdim

Dimdim offers a variety of packages ranging from basic and free accounts to enterprise level
accounts with tiered pricing. The free account gives you full audio between all parties, public
and private text chat, document sharing of PDF and Power-point files, web page sharing, a
shared whiteboard, and scheduling functionality. Unfortunately the free version only has one
way video. The person hosting the meeting is the star of the show. Upgrading to Pro for $25/
month expands the video so that an additional presenter can connect in allowing for two distance
conference rooms, for example, to be linked via video.

12.2.5 Adobe Connect Now

Adobe Connect Now is a web-based conferencing tool with a strong emphasis on document
sharing and collaboration. You can share your screen, share documents, easily convert documents
to PDFs, and create workspaces to share and edit documents in. Connect-Now supports private
and public chat, shared whiteboard space, remote control of other desktops for interactive
screen-sharing, and video/audio conferencing.

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