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Affordable and Usable Video Conferencing?

Sabalon writes "I work at a state university with remote sites, minimal space, and all the other usual bits. We used to have some dedicated-circuit video conferencing tools but those have fallen into disuse. The administration is now interested in being able to stream a class from site to site, or at least have a student at one site have visual interaction with a person at another site. My thought is that if Skype, uStream and others can do live video, there has to be some things out there that don't cost a fortune but work effectively. Key things would be the ability to use commodity web cams as a source, viewable on a PC (preferably all the main OSes) and the ability to add in other devices (say H.323 encoders) or desktop/application sharing. Are there decent products and solutions out there for us mere mortals?"

5 of 170 comments (clear)

  1. Does it need to be free? by potscott · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Cisco WebEx seems to fit the bill, although I'm not sure if it'll run on *nix.

    --
    I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class, especially since I rule.
  2. Re:We do this... by cayenne8 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    After reading the article...why not just use Skype or Ustream as they mentioned?

    --
    Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
  3. Solutions by girlintraining · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Are there decent products and solutions out there for us mere mortals?

    Just about anything will work -- unless your internet service provider sucks. Then you're kinda doomed. So do your homework on what low-latency providers are available or get a leased line between the sites.

    --
    #fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
  4. Mutually Exclusive Requirements by pete-classic · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The administration is now interested in being able to stream a class from site to site [. . .] Key things would be the ability to use commodity web cams as a source

    You're not going to be able to usably capture a classroom lecture with webcam and associated microphone.

    -Peter

  5. Cheapest option... :P by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Set up a water cooler inside an empty conference and the workers will gravitate there for a meeting. Of course, some of the biggest liars will try to dominate the water cooler. The plunger from the restroom will take care of that problem.