A few days ago I provided an introductory post to the forthcoming series on desktop collaboration offerings that are available as Skype Extras. In this post I simply want to mention the three offerings that will be reviewed along with some additional criteria for the evaluation.
Skype Extras for PC Desktop Collaboration:
Convenos Meeting Center: emulating your conference board room with a slide projector, video monitor and display adapter with screen. A key feature is Convenos’ “persistence” capability that allows you to enter and leave the “board room” or conference at will without losing any of the information left in the room. (Update: January 2009: Convenos ceased operations.)
Unyte: bringing desktop sharing as complementary real time conversation mode to Skype’s traditional voice, IM and video modes via a single click. Includes a “Remote Asssist” feature that allows the user to view a remote Windows platform for providing customer presentations and support to, or reviewing documents with, both Skype-enabled and non-Skype-enabled contacts.
And announced today (drum roll for Mac and Linux users): Yugma Skype: full cross platform desktop sharing (Windows, Mac and Linux). Simple swapping of shared desktops and a free offering for up to ten-participant sessions are two key features.
Criteria for evaluation include:
- User interface
- Remote viewing: browser-based or independent window
- Session setup and scheduling
- Operating System, Web Browser flexibility
- Extent of Skype integration
- Sharing Modes
- Refresh/update speeds at remote participants’ desktops
- Session/conference persistence
- Approach to handling different screen sizes
Let the reviews begin.
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