Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Online Meeting Software
Tip Sheet and Resource Guide
Basics
• Online meeting software also referred to as web conferencing software or webinar software
allows you to connect with an audience online
• Online meeting software applications typically have tools such as screen share, audio feed,
video capability and chat that make it easy to interact with an audience from a distance
• Online meeting options allow you to quickly connect with colleagues or students
• Online meeting software can be quickly installed on personal computers or laptops
• Use online meeting software to create a virtual interactive classroom and enhance distance education
*For our introduction and example, we will be working with Dimdim http://www.dimdim.com/.
Please see below for information on other online meeting software options.
Meeting Set Up
To get started, visit https://estore.dimdim.com/user/signup to create a free Dimdim account. Signing up for a Dimdim account requires
creating a Dimdim ID which works like a username. A password and email address are also necessary before you can begin hosting meetings
with Dimdim.
Create an account
ID. You will use your
ID to log in. Your ID
also appears when
you join or host a
meeting.
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Getting Started
You can start using Dimdim immediately. Dimdim provides several ways to access online meetings.
You can Host a meeting and begin inviting others to join your meeting by sending them email invites through Dimdim.
Enter email
addresses for
meeting attendees.
They will receive an
invite with a link to
your meeting.
You can also Join meetings already in progress through Dimdim by
clicking on the Join Meeting option.
Lastly you can schedule a meeting and invite attendees in advance.
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Tools
Online meeting software offers users a variety of functions and tools which will help create a
successful online meeting experience. Common tools include:
Video – With a webcam installed you can host a meeting and your attendees will be able to see you in
a small video screen.
Audio – Using a microphone share presentation audio through the meeting software and your
computer. No phone necessary.
Screen share – Allow meeting participants to see your screen as you work.
URL share – Quickly type in a URL and share only that page with attendees. This option works best
when you do not want to share your entire screen with the meeting attendees.
Chat – The chat feature, available through most meeting software options, allows you to interact and
correspond with meeting participants in real‐time. Use chat when audio features are not working, to
assist individual attendees with technical issues without stopping the class, or take questions from the
audience to be answered at the end of the session.
Whiteboard – Drawing tool allows you to type, draw, erase or write in the meeting using Paint like
functions.
File share – With most software you can upload and flip through PowerPoint presentations. You can
also upload and share other documents through file share applications when available.
Participant list – Allows you to see who in the meeting based on user name or ID.
Archive/Record – Save a meeting or session for review or to share with others.
Video will appear in
this location when
enabled. You can
also monitor
presenter’s audio
using tools below. 3 10/13/2009 (EJH)
This view Presenters have the
demonstrates If users are not able option to record a
to hear audio, dial‐in
sharing a URL with session for playback
attendees. option with passcode or sharing.
is available.
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Software Cost Capacity Audio Presenter Chat URL Desktop Upload Upload White Available
Product Video Share Screen and other Board on
Sharing Share files campus
PPT
Adobe Call for 7,500 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
Acrobat pricing
Connect
Adobe 3 for free 3 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
Acrobat
ConnectNow
Dimdim Free for up 20‐1,000 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
to 20 then
$25‐$75 per
month
GoToMeeting Free trial Up to 15 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
then $39‐ then use
$49 per GotoWebinar
month
Microsoft Institutional 20,000 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 Coming
Live Meeting License soon
Twiddla Free Unlimited 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
Professional but only one
account for meeting at a
.edu emails time
WebEx Free trial 35,000 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
then up to
$69 per
month
YuuGuu 5 for free Unlimited 9 9 9 9
then $15‐ for paid
$30 per accounts
month
Zoho Free for 1 1‐25 9 9 9
then $12 ‐
$24 per
month
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_web_conferencing_software for detailed comparison chart 5 10/13/2009 (EJH)
Microsoft Live Meeting
Microsoft Office Live Meeting 2007 is an online meeting space that your organization subscribes to or that your organization hosts internally. You can
meet with your colleagues online and collaborate in real‐time. From Microsoft, this meeting software integrates well with other Office 2007 programs.
Google
Google has developed a variety of programs and applications designed to simplify the collaboration process. From Gmail which offers
chat and talk features for quick communication to GoogleDocs which allows users to collaborate in real time while editing a document.
Google recently launched Google Wave (limited access at time of publication) which will provide real‐time collaboration and editing through
applications designed to merge technologies used for email, wikis and social media.
V‐Tel
On campus UT Health Science Center faculty, staff and students have access to video conferencing services or V‐Tel from the IMS
department. With V‐Tel you can host a meeting with the RAHC and/or the Laredo Campus Extension. Appointments must be scheduled in
advanced. Visit http://ims.uthscsa.edu/communications/videoconf.aspx for pricing and information.
Additional Resources and Helpful Reads
For access to additional resources about Social Bookmarking please visit the following link; http://delicious.com/tag/uthsclib+meet
The librarians have included links to several articles about Online Meeting Software as well as information to help you get started. Remember
to check back regularly as we will continue to add links to this page.
Need Help? Ask a Librarian
(210) 567.2450
askalibrarian@uthscsa.edu
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