F/OSS Multi-Point Video-Conferencing

DarkSarin writes "Given that solutions like iChat can seamlessly video-conference for multiple parties on the Mac, and that others are semi-commercial, like Oovoo (which recently left beta and is no longer free for more than 3-way calls), what do you recommend in terms of a F/OSS solution to a need for moderate-sized video-conferencing? Ideally, it would be something which does not use a web-page and does not require hours of configuration. iChat is insanely easy to use. Mebeam.com is also quite simple to operate, but requires so much screen real estate that it can't easily be used in conjunction with any other software. Referring to other documents while in the middle of the conference is nice, but it's important to have the reactions of the other participants — and not everyone has multiple monitors. I am aware of projects like vmukti and services like ustream.tv, but I am thinking more in terms of a stand-alone application that is F/OSS (Ekiga/GnomeMeeting comes to mind, but it does not do multi-point video chat unless one also has access to an H.323 gateway, which is apparently non-trivial to implement). With the prevalence of broadband connections, I am surprised that a solid effort is missing for making easy, painless multi-point video-conferencing for more than 3 or 4 connections (which seems to be the most that a lot of 'free' solutions offer, or even the low-cost ones). So, my question is two-fold: First, why isn't there a better effort at medium to large video-conferencing that pretty much anyone can set up? Second, do you know of any F/OSS applications which work well and support a minimum of 6 to 8 connected parties?"

Comments

VSee.com

[drydiggins]

VSee.com

Re:Skype?

[Goeland86]

Notice that I did note that it wasn't an FOSS program. However, for most intents and purposes it's free (as in beer) for end users, and companies who wish to use it can get a subscription for technical support.

Also as the debate over proprietary / standard argument goes elsewhere in this thread, I'd like to point out that most end users are aware of Windows Live Messenger's webcam capabilities, yet many of them switch to skype. Just because Microsoft came up with netmeeting and MSN / WL Messenger doesn't mean that it will become the standard. Same holds true with Skype. Yes it's easy, yes it's simple, but NO it's doesn't have features that can't be provided by another software project, like MS Office, specifically Outlook is what my father (remarkably computer literate for a director of his department, I worked in his company) is constantly reminding me of.

If you could make Outlook platform independent, or come up with an alternative that does everything Outlook does (yes, I know about Evolution, but it's not quite as complete) and is compatible (or can import all of Outlook's data) then you'd have a chance of migrating companies off MS Office. The real problem is that the tools in competitors to Office aren't always as high quality, or existent (thinking of the document revision tools in OO.o).
But that was a long off topic segment. Personally I'd support a company that makes their product as cross-platform as possible, as Skype has done. Sure it's not OSS, but people have a right to make a living with code, too!