Video conferencing at it's peak

There are many features of video conferencing involved in a successful use. Software to support desktop collaboration is currently going through rapid development cycles. The products required for video conferencing change, yet the applications required remains constant.

Electronic whiteboards are modeled on actual conference room whiteboards. The whiteboard appears on the screen of each conference participant. Each participant can type or draw on the board, highlight, or even load a graphic or document on the background of the whiteboard. Some systems have the ability to store multiple pages that can be accessed when needed. There is a zoom control, pointers, graphing capabilities and shape makers.

Once information is on the whiteboard, you can modify it, circle it, or highlight it. You also can highlight or circle areas on pictures, draw on them, and add text to them. You and the other participants can highlight or draw on the whiteboard at the same time. If you want to have the other participants see the contents of the whiteboard but not allow them to modify them, there is a lock function that allows you to prevent the others from highlighting or drawing on the whiteboard. Used in this way, the whiteboard serves as a sort of overhead.

Following are some tips to keep your video conference successful and enjoyable.

First, write your objectives. What do you want to happen in your first video conference? What is the topic? Is there going to be a guest speaker or performer? If so contact the guest speaker or performer and explain what you would like them to do. Select at least two dates that work for both of you.

The first date will be for a technical test to make sure your guest has the right equipment and if the speaker is going to be at your site, on your location, he or she needs to give you a commitment to a dress rehearsal, a simple testing of voice, lighting, and locale. Locale is mentioned because if a speaker has travel involved, they need to be sure they know where they are going and how long it will take to get there so that on the day of the video conference they can be on time.

Also validate your connections. See if the participating sites have equipment able to run at the same speed as your transmission connection, 384 kbs is preferred, but slower speeds can be accommodated if your video conference is IP-based. Incompatible equipment cannot video conference together.