Web Conference Cosmetics

One thing that strikes me as I look at different web conferencing products is cosmetics. How are frames within the main console arranged? Where are buttons located? Do some frames (or pods) detach from the main web conferencing console for placement anywhere on my desktop?

I thought about this topic today during a Microsoft Live Meeting web conference. I used the web based interface (as opposed to the downloadable client) and I was quite impressed with the way I could place the list of attendees anywhere on my desktop. The same went for the meeting's notepad feature. WebEx also features detachable frames.

Another interesting cosmetic feature can be found in Adobe Acrobat Connect. In this product, frames (or pods as Adobe calls them) can be dynamically re-arranged within the main console by the presenter. As a result, if during one phase of a webinar, the presenter wants the attendee list, presentation space, and a notepad pod visible, he can do that and then later in the webinar, dynamically eliminate the attendee list, expand the presentation pod and perhaps add a polling pod. What the user sees is a very slick, smooth transition from one console scheme to another. I find it an elegant way to keep your attendees awake.

Of course, functionality (vs price) is probably the key criterion in choosing a web conferencing platform but how much does cosmetics matter to you? Give me your thoughts!

September Webinars Ready for Registration

Vell Group has posted its September Tuesday webinars. For more information and to register, surf to http://learningportal.eventbrite.com

Webinar Quality -- Do Your Homework

I attended a webinar yesterday given by a company that will remain nameless for their own protection. Two problems severely effected the event.

The first problem was really the fault of the audience members. Several people complained they could not log in but the software was not the problem. The webinar had two layers of security. There was a username and password required for entry into the webinar environment and then another "meeting id" and a separate password for entry into the particular meeting. There was also a minor software download required. The meeting invitation advised all attendees, especially if they had never attended a meeting of this type, to login to a sample meeting so their browsers would be ready and they would understand the protocol for getting in. It was obvious that the users who encountered difficulty had not followed this advice. As a webinar attendee, you do yourself and your host a great disservice when you're not technically prepared to attend the webinar. If the host is patient, your avoidable technical problems delay his meeting. If the host is not patient, he goes ahead without you and you have to play catchup. So, make sure your computer is set up for a webinar in advance and that you understand the login protocol.

The second problem was entirely the fault of the webinar host. In his invitation to the webinar, he sent the wrong teleconference number! A good 15 minutes went by before anyone advised the attendees of the mistake via the chat window in the webinar. During that 15 minutes, slides were being shown without narration. The correction was communicated without apology.

The funny part is that this webinar was being given by a consultant to discuss learning management systems (LMS), learning content management systems (LCMS) and talent management systems (TMS). The unstated subtext of the webinar, of course, was to sell the platform that was hosting the webinar. While the wrong callin number really had nothing to do with the quality of the software, it so totally sabatoged the event that one could not come away with a positive feeling for the underlying product.

The message here for both webinar hosts and attendees is do your homework! Not doing the proper planning in advance can totally ruin the experience.

eLearningZoom Webinar

While Vell Group advises on a number of web conferencing/webinar platforms, we have a special relationship with eLearningZoom.com.

eLearningZoom is an entry level platform that combines web conferencing and an LMS (learning management system) at an affordable price.

The folks at eLearningZoom and Vell Group each offer introductory webinars on the product. Our next one will be Tuesday, August 26 at noon EDT. To learn more about the webinar and to register, please click here!

Welcome

Welcome to Vell Group's new blog, Meeting in Cyberspace. Every so often we'll pop in to tell you about web conferencing news, important web conferencing webinars that may be available and of course our opinion on all things related to remote communication.

If you have a topic you'd like to see covered here, please let me know. If you have an important web conferencing event you'd like promoted, let me know and I'll let our readers in on it!

Thanks again for visiting and please come back often!