Tahiti is the codename of the latest online collaboration tool released by Microsoft (pre-beta version - no public access), focused on screen/application sharing for groups of maximum 15 people. Tahiti integrates also a file-sharing module, but leaves out text chat or annotation tools hoping that Tahiti users will choose to use Live Messenger and other tools to complement those needs.

"Tahiti" is part of Microsoft Office Live, a set of online applications that Microsoft is currently developing to integrate web collaboration tools within the popular Microsoft Office Suite.

Although this is a brand-new entry in the already crowded planet of online collaboration tools, Tahiti shows all the power of effective interface design and well-done usability engineering that a huge company like Microsoft can afford. I am referring in particular to Tahiti design and its simple and intuitive command interface. A breeze to use for non-technical users.

Released last week, I have immediately decided to give a good try to Tahiti, thanks to the help from Amit Argawal who kindly provided an invitation to the private beta now available. My personal tests were run on a Windows-based computer and on a Mac equipped with Parallels Desktop.

Here is what I have found out:

Tahiti: key functionalities

Although still in pre-beta, Tahiti is a collaboration tool that provides an easy way to share documents and share files with groups of maximum 15 people.

Screen/Application Sharing

The most important feature of Tahiti is the screen/application sharing capability. Starting a screen/application sharing session is indeed very easy: users just need to click on the "Share" button and select which application they want to share with other attendees. Once selected, they click on "Start" and the session begins immediately.

Every action the presenter does on the screen is highlighted by a flashing cursor: this makes it easier for viewers to understand what is happening on the screen, since there are no annotation tools available.

Viewers can request control of the presenter's screen anytime by clicking the "Request control" button on top of the navigation bar. The presenter receives a pop-up message alerting her that someone is requesting controls and can decide whether to accept or deny the request.

I have first tested screen/application sharing between two Windows-based PCs connected to broadband Internet with optimal performance and snappy response from the remote PC. I was also positively impressed by the quality of the screen display as I was looking at the remote PC. There were no compression artifacts or image degradations that I could appreciate. I have then tested Tahiti on a Windows-based PC connected to a Mac that was running Parallels Desktop: in this case the screen/application sharing was much slower but me and my team-mate were still able to see each other's screens effectively.

File Sharing

Another interesting feature of Tahiti is the support for file sharing, which allows users to upload files and use them as handouts during a online collaboration session. Uploading files is a very easy operation: users need to click on "Handouts" in the navigation bar at the top of the main window and select which file they want to upload. There is no restriction to the type of files you can upload.

Once uploaded, files can be downloaded by all the participants by double-clicking on them. If an attendee wishes to view a file collaboratively, she can open it and then start an application sharing session. All the uploaded files are accessible by clicking the "Handouts" button.

Invitation Management

Presenters can choose among three ways to invite participants: by instant messenger (only if they use Windows Live Messenger), by email and by phone. Once invited, attendees need to enter the Windows Live ID (or former Microsoft Passport credentials) of the presenter in order to access the live collaboration session.

On the negative side I have noticed that it is not possible to copy and paste the session ID number when trying to invite by phone as it is not easy to invite contacts via IM if they do not run Windows Live Messenger themselves. On the other hand, the invitation by email only works if you have an e-mail client configured on your computer.

System requirements

Last generation computer, Pentium IV with 512 MB RAM or more.

Tahiti requires a small download and works on Windows-based computers that run a Flash-compatible browser.

Price

Codename "Tahiti" is currently free to use.

Learn more

Check out the Codename "Tahiti" FAQs to find answers to your questions

Editor's comments

Tahiti is a new free screen-sharing tool from Microsoft which integrates a full file-sharing module.

The key positive trait is the intuitive and well designed, glossy, 2.0 interface.

On the con side, the lack of annotation tools and of an integrated text chat do penalize Tahiti, since they are standard features in almost all collaboration tools. Considering that the tool has been thought of as a complementary collaboration extension to Microsoft Live Messenger, one can see Microsoft vision expecting you to use the real-time text chat and VoIP features of Live Messenger while using Tahiti only for the screen-sharing part. But is Microsoft expecting a bit too much from us users? My opinion is yes. I wouldn't switch to Live Messenger if that wasn't already my default IM, and I am frankly happier with some of the competiting free tools that offer also some integrated annotation abilities.

While it is true that the text chat can be replaced by any instant messenger, annotation tools would be a strategic vital addition especially since, as Robin Good often points out, we remain in a state of annotation ignorance as so very few tools have yet grasped the actual needs of presenters and communicators when it comes to annotate content online in real-time (without looking like a first-time grader).

To Microsoft major demerit, Tahiti remains only a Windows PC tool, going against the very basic assumptions of open and unrestricted collaboration. In my humble view this remains Tahiti major weakness if we consider that many similar tools (such as YuuGuu, GoToMeeting, Vyew and Yugma) , which have been on the market for a while, are completely cross-platform and free.

All n' all: Good screen-sharing with slick interface and good performance. Time for Microsoft to be really open and offer tools that work with all types of computers. An integrated annotation and mark-up toolset would make this a tool with some potential beyond Microsoft own marketing clout. Lots to be learned for the competition.