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Collaborating on the Web
Trudy Levy
Image Integration
Web Collaboration, what does it mean? Some software is labeled Web collaborative which only provides a secure exchange of communications and not live interaction. In my mind collaboration is a process where the whole becomes greater than the parts through interaction. Each participant stimulates the others' thinking by brainstorming, discussing and yes criticizing. So those programs which omit interaction are not truly providing web collaboration, but there are some interesting programs which do.
First there is formal video conferencing. Okay, so we all remember the little talking head in the corner of the monitor talking at 45 rpm or the group gathered around a table with one eye cocked on the screen in front, while leaning in to talk to the mike in the center of the table. Well video conferencing has come a long way. There are cameras which are voice sensitive and focus on whoever is talking. There are white boards which relay information to other distant white boards and can even print out what every one has scribbled. Sound has improved. All it takes is oodles of bandwidth and money to buy the equipment. At the minimum video conferencing requires is Video conferencing terminal end stations, Cameras, microphones, speakers, Workstations, IP addresses for workstations and High speed network connection (at least 64-128Kbps.)*.Or you can go to video conferencing centers.
Then there is conferencing on the web where you can share your desktop or whiteboard over a website by posting live views from your computer to the web where they are seen by your collaborators. These packages typically give you three main ways to interact: multiple users work on or view the same document, audio conversations via telephone or a chat window for text conversations, and file-transfer abilities for sending documents while you're connected. Where can you find these programs?
Well if you have bought into MSWindows 2000, you have it in their NetMeeting or you can download and distribute it royalty free from their site. ** Netscape had a Conference component, but they no longer support it. Lotus Same time allows anyone with a Java-enabled Web browser to also share applications, whiteboards, text discussion threads and chat sessions. The server operates in a standalone mode, or can tie in with existing Domino servers for the added benefit of the Notes Directory and meeting services Then there is Informative Graphics' Brava which is designed to share and mark up CAD drawings, and only requires a Browser at the viewing end. Their site Drawingroom.net will host your drawings for you.
Make a conference call from your computer or telephone, get on the web and truly collaborate.
4/18/00
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