What is Web Conferencing?

Web Conferencing is a technology that allows two or more users to collaborate in real time over the Internet. 

Examples include:

  • Synchronous distance education
  • Meeting with geographically dispersed colleagues
  • Remote helpdesk/troubleshooting
  • Webinars
  • Virtual office hours
  • Remote Speakers
  • Text Chat
  • Live audio and video
  • Whiteboarding
  • Screensharing
  • Polling
  • Session recording
  • Voice over IP

Related Resources - Peripherals

Click here to view a list of resources for web conferencing.

What resources are available for web conferencing at Duke University?

There are several different web conferencing solutions being utilized throughout the Duke community. OIT currently offers Adobe Connect as it's web conferencing platform. Interactive Technology Services continuously researches hosted web conferencing. Each solution is evaluated for ease of use, full featured functionality and cross platform compatibility among other criteria. General information and links to specific information about our currently researched solutions can be found below. We will continue to test and pilot new solutions and add up to date information on upcoming pilots here.

Adobe Connect

  • Flash based client
  • Highly customizable layout
  • Excellent video quality
  • Great solution for one-to-many webcasts
  • Integrated phone teleconferencing through Premiere Global Services
  • Supports up to 100 users per meeting

Important Note: Since OIT does not host this service on our own servers, any information of a confidental nature, including, but not limited to HIPAA or FERPA protected information should not be transmitted or recorded using any of these services.

For more information please see our Adobe Connect web page.

Other Web Conferencing Solutions

Elluminate

  • Java based client
  • Designed with a strong virtual-classroom focus
  • Robust platform for collaborative meetings
  • Licensed by concurrent users / participants

OIT completed a two year pilot of Elluminate in 2007. Interested schools and departments can contact Elluminate directly on their website. There is currently no plans to support Elluminate centrally in OIT.

Adobe ConnectNow

As part of Adobe's free online word processing tool, Buzzword, Adobe ConnectNow offers free video and audio teleconferencing (including international calling capabilities). It is limited in functionality as compared to the commercial version of Connect, such as being limited to only (3) participants. More information on the limitations of ConnectNow can be found here.

Webex

Webex is Cisco's Java based web conferencing tool which offers multipoint video (up to 6), voice over IP and integrated audio teleconferencing functionality with 24 x7 live support via telephone. Webex can also be purchased on a per minute/per use basis either directly through WebEx, via Premiere Global Services branded services ReadyCast  or through Verizon, none of which requires no advanced sign up or set up.

GoToMeeting

GoToMeeting is an online web conferencing application that allows the user the ability to host unlimited meeting, withnlimited duration for up to 15 attendees per meeting - at a flat fee.  GoToMeeting uses both the telephone & headsets for audio.  At the time of writing this description (03-03-09) GoToMeeting does not support the use of video.

The set up is easy and requires very littile trainig to get started.  Creating and scheduling meeting are straight forward and the user has the ability to schdule meetings inside applications such as: Outlook, Excel, Lotus Notes, & Word.

Live Web Conferencing Comparison Matrix

Gallaudet University has put together a matrix comparing live web conferencing tools.