Within the realm of this specific research report, for web conferencing tools and services are intended those technologies that provide the end user with the ability to access, within an integrated application, a full set of conferencing and/or collaboration features alongside with the ability to talk, present and demonstrate to an online audience (anything bigger than a group of 5-6 individuals).

Photo credit: Andres Rodriguez

In the late 1990's, WebEx and PlaceWare created the first popular, corporate level, web conferencing systems and Microsoft soon introduced the pioneering free NetMeeting followed by dozens of other vendors.

Web conferencing technologies are generally utilized to hold group meetings or live presentations on the Internet. The term has recently evolved to refer specifically to "live" or "synchronous" meetings, and not to asynchronous discussion boards and forums.

In a web conference, each participant sits at their own computer, and is connected to other participants via the Internet.

Here is more information about web conferencing characteristics and tools:

Though there is no official reference or guideline stating this, for the purpose of simplicity, the most basic features of a web conference include the following components:

Key features that characterize web conferencing systems include:

• Downloadable Software / Web-based

  Whether the web conferencing system is software-based or web-based. Web-based systems run generally on all types of computers and require no software download or configuration.





• Text chat

  A real-time text-based cat facility allowing synchronous communication among multiple users.





• VoIP

  The ability to talk over the Internet. So called full-duplex systems allow for synchronous conversations while some older systems provide only for push-to-talk functionality.





• Screen-Sharing

  The ability to show the contents of one's own screen in real-time to one r more distant users.





• Co-browsing

  The ability to navigate web pages in synch with multiple distant users.





• Presentation Facility

  A facility devoted to the delivery of PowerPoint presentations to online audiences.





• Whiteboard - Live annotation tools

  These are dedicated to provide a whiteboard like experience where an empty canvas can be used to call up pictures, documents or diagrams and annotate over them in real-time.





• Video

  Video facilities offer the ability to present in real-time one or multiple web conferencing participants through their web cams.





• Recording

  The ability to record the web conferencing in real-time including text chat exchanges, audio and the slides, web pages or other contents being presented.

Web Conferencing Tools

While selecting the tools to showcase in this article, we intentionally avoided including all those high-quality web conferencing systems that are aimed specifically at enterprises (such as Webex, Centra, Cisco, Livemeeting, Genesis, Readytalk, and others). Here we want to provide a list of services that can represent valid and low-cost alternatives to those highly expensive web conferencing solutions.

iVocalize

iVocalize enables interactive web conference meetings for today's distributed workforce, online seminars, e-learning classrooms and presentations to an audience spanning the globe. Features include synchronized web browsing, integrated whiteboard and presentation recording.

Link: http://www.ivocalize.com/

Convoq

Convoq's products are Flash-based online meeting systems featuring rich media meeting capabilities that include text chat, VoIP audio, video, screen sharing, PowerPoint presentations, record and playback, and now remote desktop control capabilities and whiteboarding.

Link: http://www.convoq.com/

Spreed

Spreed is a service that allows you to perform remote presentations and organize distance seminars and conferences. You can access it both from PC and Mac and it is free to use up to three participants. Spreed integrates whiteboard, chat, video conferencing, screen sharing and file transfer.

Link: http://spreed.com/

InstantPresenter

InstantPresenter is an online live presentation system that provides an effective way to upload and deliver live PowerPoint presentations on the Web. The new service also integrates an audio-video stream going from the presenter to all participants. InstantPresenter is fully cross-platform and can be used easily with both PCs and Macs. Text chat and an interactive group whiteboard are well integrated.

Link: http://www.instantpresenter.com/

Persony

Persony (pronounced: per-so-nee) is a Flash-based web conferencing tool that allows you to screen share, deliver PowerPoint presentations, work on a shared whiteboard and communicate via VoIP (one-to-many) in a very cost-effective integrated solution.

Link: http://www.persony.com/

eBLVD

eBLVD integrates remote control, text chat, VoIP, annotation, file transfer, 128-bit security encryption, event scheduling, free teleconferencing support and recording into an essential PC-based screen sharing solution that costs only $59/month for 5 concurrent users.

Link: http://eblvd.com/

HotConference

HotConference is a web conferencing system with built in audio, text chat, webcam, browser, whiteboard and a co-browsing feature that lets you browse web pages with your attendees. The instant messaging feature allows private one-on-one communication for private discussions. You can capture and archive text discussions by saving them as text files.

Link: http://www.hotconference.com/

FlashMeeting

FlashMeeting is an application based on the Adobe Flash 'plug in' and Flash Media Server. Running in a standard web browser window, it allows a group of people to meet from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. Meetings are pre-booked by a registered user and a URL, containing a unique password for the meeting. Users are provided with video and audio conferencing, along with the ability to perform web tours.

Link: http://flashmeeting.open.ac.uk/

Convenos

Convenos is a service that lets you meet with anyone, anywhere with a web browser, a PC with broadband Internet connectivity. Convenos provides web meetings and collaboration tools for Skype users in a few easy clicks, since it integrates web conferencing as a Skype 3.0 Extra.

Link: http://www.convenos.com/

MegaMeeting

MegaMeeting, a browser-based video conferencing software. MegaMeeting requires no downloading: all you need is an internet browser, a broadband internet connection and a web camera or digital video camera. Up to 16 individuals can be seen at the same time, and an unlimited number of additional secure Video Conferencing attendees can see those 16.

Link: http://www.megameeting.com/

Virtex C3 Communicator

Virtex C3 Communicator is an online presentation and training and web conferencing service solution that enables companies to deliver high quality interactive video and audio presentations to audiences that range in size from a handful of people to thousands.

Link: http://www.virtexc3.com/

e-Boardroom

The e-Boardroom meeting suite gives you the power to hold worldwide meetings, on demand. Your meeting suite is available to you 24 hours a day without reservations or per use fees. Connect up to six users anywhere in the world with real time webcam video feeds. The e-Boardroom system runs on virtually any operating system and any browser without the need for special hardware or software.

Link: http://www.e-boardroom.net/en/

Space2Meet

Space2Meet is a web conferencing service that provides total integration with Skype. It offers a secure virtual office with 1GB of free online file storage and lets you share pictures and files. Additionally Space2Meet provides you with video conferencing support and integrated screen sharing capabilities.

Link: http://www.space2meet.com/

Groove

With Groove you can effortlessly bring together team members from both inside and outside your team and get work done faster by always knowing each other's virtual location, or online presence. You can bring relevant information together in one place - data, files, messages, edits, forms, meetings, calendars, etc., for everyone in your team to see.

Link: http://www.groove.net/home/index.cfm

Collanos

With Collanos you can be sharing documents, having online discussions, and managing tasks, all in a single, consolidated space. Built on reliable peer-to-peer technology, Collanos Workplace software allows you to work anywhere, anytime, both online and offline. Collanos runs on Windows, Mac and Linux.

Link: http://www.collanos.com/m1/en/

Linktivity

Linktivity offers voice, video, and data communication solutions for customers of all sizes and industries. Linktivity provides a real-time environment in which two or more people can communicate more effectively from any PC and also provide remote support.

Link: http://www.linktivity.com/

CloudMeeting

CloudMeeting is a revolutionary Real-Time Multimedia Internet Group Communications service with extra collaboration features thrown in like secure instant messaging. CloudMeeting allows each subscribed user to see who among their defined community is available, exchange simple text messages, and have a spontaneous or scheduled multimedia communications experience with 1-200 other persons.

Link: http://www.cloudmeeting.com/

AliceStreet

The AliceStreet Conference Center enables real human interaction when the participants in a meeting can't be in the same physical location. The AliceStreet client and server software handles all voice conferencing, up to 16 people at once, as well as video and slide sharing, so there is no need to use a separate audio conferencing bridge service.

Link: http://www.alicestreet.com/index_noflash.html

Wave 3

Wave 3 is a real-time communication software featuring VoIP and video conferencing. You can meet with your family, friends and business associates who are around the corner or around the world. Wave 3 provides integrated applications sharing, instant messaging and media sharing workspace.

Link: http://www.wave3software.com/

Be Intouch

Be-Intouch is considered the most cost effective Web Conferencing solution. Users will be able to host their own online meetings and easily create a video tutorial or a video e-mail. The whiteboard tools include free-hand draw, lines, shapes, stamps, text and an insert picture function.

Link: http://www.beintouch.com/

aveComm

aveComm is a web conferencing solution that provides you with integrated application sharing, remote control, video conferencing, instant messaging and file transfer. aveComm Collaboration and Communication framework can be deployed as either an installable application or a hosted service. aveComm toolkit for developers provides seamless integration into any application.

Link: http://www.avecomm.com/

SmileTiger

SmileTiger Software Corporation develops industry-leading web conferencing, video conferencing, and virtual classroom software. SmileTiger integrates application sharing, PowerPoint presentation a whiteboard and audio/video conferencing. You can also record and playback conference sessions.

Link: http://www.smiletiger.com/

WebHuddle

WebHuddle is a cross platform web conferencing tool that requires no installation. With WebHuddle, meetings can be conducted either in conjunction with an enterprise's existing teleconferencing service, or utilizing WebHuddle's optional VoIP. WebHuddle also offers recording capabilities: presentations can easily be recorded for playback over any web browser.

Link: https://www.webhuddle.com/

DimDim

Dimdim is an open source web conferencing company. With Dimdim you can show presentations, applications and desktops to any other person over the internet. Other important features are the integrated VoIP and video communication, which enable the presenter to broadcast himself and talk to the audience in real-time.

Link: http://www.dimdim.com/

Elluminate vRoom

Elluminate vRoom is the scaled down version of a popular cross platform live web conferencing tool that provides e-learning solutions for the real-time organization. Elluminate vRoom integrates VoIP, easy-to-use moderator tools and provides support for collaborative web touring.

Link: http://www.elluminate.com/vroom

VSee

VSee is a free videoconferencing and application sharing service. VSee allows you to see multiple people on your computer. You can remotely edit and annotate documents; share applications and desktops; transfer files; record and share videos; pan, tilt, and zoom remote cameras; and show microscope and whiteboard cameras.

Link: http://vsee.com/

WebEx MeetMeNow

WebEx is one of the leading web conferencing providers in the market today. WebEx integrates audio and video conferencing and supports both Internet Phone (VoIP) and teleconferencing (telephone). Furthermore, meeting participants can use a simple text chat tool to communicate.

Link: http://meetmenow.webex.com/

Adobe Acrobat Connect Professional

Acrobat Connect Professional is the complete web communications solution that enables live online meetings, virtual classes, and group collaboration, allowing organizations to effectively share a wide range of content, including Microsoft PowerPoint slides, live and recorded video, Adobe Flash content, live screen-sharing, application sharing, audio, and multi-user text chat

Link: http://www.adobe.com/products/connect/

ooVoo

ooVoo is a web conferencing software with many features - from video calls with up to six people at once to video messaging to chat and file transfer capabilities. You can record and send video messages to ooVoo users or friends who don't have ooVoo yet. It is also possible to put your ooVoo link on your blog, MySpace page, or in your email signature.

Link: http://oovoo.com/

Zoho Meeting

With Zoho Meeting, you can have an online demo or conference with your team. Choose to use ActiveX, Java or Flash for viewing purposes. The basics of web conferencing are all available for Zoho Meeting, including remote access for other members of the team. Zoho Meeting is well integrated with the other offerings of the Zoho Suite.

Link: http://meeting.zoho.com/

Resources about Web Conferencing

• Wikipedia - Web Conferencing and webinars

  Web conferencing is used to hold group meetings or live presentations over the Internet. In the early years of the Internet, the terms "web conferencing" and "computer conferencing" were often used to refer to group discussions conducted within a message board (via posted text messages), but the term has evolved to refer specifically to "live" or "synchronous" meetings, while the posted message variety of discussion is called a "forum", "message board", or "bulletin board".





• Web conferencing and Real-Time Communication Technologies Guide by David Woolley

  A comprehensive guide to software that powers discussions on the internet including: Web Conferencing, Video Conferencing, Online Meetings, Instant Messaging, Forums & Message Boards, Groupware, Social Software for Online Collaboration, Online Communities, Virtual Teams, Intranets, E-learning.





• Robin Good's Guide to Best Web Conferencing and Live Presentation Tools

  Tested cost-effective alternatives to WebEx, Centra, Microsoft Live Meeting and other mainstream enterprise conferencing systems. Tools and technologies X-rayed and tested from a user benefit standpoint. Over 650 Web pages and 800+ color screenshots, 23 tools already reviewed, 22 comparison tables putting all tools in comparison across the whole range of features and facilities
  Best Buy - Recommended Solutions as personally evaluated and selected by Robin Good. Last updated 2005.

Web Conferencing Tools - Comparison Chart

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Web Conferencing News Radar

This information has been researched and collected by Robin Good in conjunction and support of the LANCELOT Language Research Project funded by the European Commission under the LEONARDO DA VINCI, Language Competence II programme.

This mini-guide has been written for online teachers, trainers and language facilitators that need to navigate the vast sea of options and alternatives available to them. In no way this mini-guide intends to be a comprehensive and complete list of all tools and technologies for a specific use.

It is simply an initial starting guide for novice online tutors needing to understand within the least time possible which tools and technologies could be most appropriate for their online language training needs.

Please utilize the Comments section below to add and provide references, info and links to other relevant tools that could be included in this mini-guide.