Reflection

Throughout the semester we have cover numerous topics dealing with video conferencing topics from Skype to OoVoo.  I presented YouTube videos and showed Universities along with countless others things that have incorporated Video Conferencing into learning and to facilitate learning. I found all of them interesting and informative that why I choose to share. I would like you to tell me what you found most interesting.  

Reflection

I have found this blogging experience to be very rewarding. Going into this whole experience I felt the point of the whole experience were to get to know different technologies and how to use them.  But through this whole process of blogging that it in its self was a technology that could facilitate learning. I also learned numerous things about the topic that others have blogged. I will try my best to incorporate some of these things into my profession. I think the things I have to improve the most, with my blogging are appealing to the learning are the people that’s following my blog. I think I have also found that you can never too much research before posting. In all I have found that I like blogging and I think I will start to keep a personal blog I encourage all to follow. Thanks best of luck!

"ichat"

Included with Mac OS X, iChat is a rich instant messaging application that works with your AIM or MobileMe account and makes it easy to stay in touch with friends and family using text and video, whether they’re on a Mac or a PC.*

IM me.

A powerful instant text messaging application, iChat comes with Mac OS X and is loaded with great features that make sending messages to your AIM or MobileMe buddies fast and easy. Simple text chats feel like natural conversations, with icons and thought bubbles that make it easy to see who’s saying what. And you can transmit any kind of file — from a web address to a photo — by simply dragging it into your chat. Pictures display right in the message window, web links open in a browser with a click. In short, iChat is the best way to IM.

iChat Basics

See how easy it is to video, text, and audio chat with anyone, anywhere.

iChat Basics

Don’t just type it — say it face to face.

Most Mac computers include a built-in iSight camera and mic. When you use them with iChat, you get the easiest way to have high-quality video and audio chats with your friends and family. You can chat with just one other person or make it a party by starting a multiway chat. Featuring a three-dimensional view, iChat practically puts everybody in the room with you. View their faces reflected into space, just as if they were sitting around a conference room table. And with video backdrops built into iChat, you can make it look like you’re chatting from the Eiffel Tower, under the sea, or your own custom backdrop.

Click to begin.

With its intuitive interface, iChat shows you when your buddies are available for a chat. Bright icons indicate their online status and whether they’re capable of a video chat or just audio. To start a chat, click the camera or phone icon to send an invitation. To add more people, click the icons for the meeting attendees on your buddy list and each colleague steps into your virtual office.

Show off slideshows from anywhere.

Why wait for a darkened room and a projector to present vacation photos or Keynote slides? Now you can do it all remotely, right in iChat. Put on a photo slideshow, click through a Keynote presentation, or play a movie — in full screen, accompanied by a video feed of you hosting — while your buddy looks on.

Share and share alike.

Thanks to iChat screen sharing, you and your buddy can observe and control a single desktop, so you can easily collaborate with a colleague, browse the web with a friend, or pick plane seats with your spouse. Share your own desktop or your buddy’s — you both have control at all times. iChat initiates an audio chat when you start a screen sharing session, so you can talk things through while you’re at it.

Child’s play.

With iChat at home, you can enforce your “no talking to strangers” rule using parental controls that allow you to decide who your children can chat with online. Approve the buddies you trust and iChat blocks all attempts to send and receive IMs with anyone else. iChat also automatically hides or displays online status so that only buddies approved by you can see if your kids are online.

iChat Text Features

• Tabbed chats
• Multiple logins
• Invisibility
• Animated buddy icons

• SMS forwarding
• Custom buddy list order
• File transfer manager
• Space-efficient views

• * Video chatting requires a broadband Internet connection; fees may apply.

http://www.apple.com/macosx/what-is-macosx/ichat.html?cid=oas-us-domains-ichat.com

Arizona State Live Video Conferencing on Ustream

Arizona State has devoped is on ustream page in which they broadcast live online. Below I attached the desripitions of what they aim to do from there web page. I have also attached the link to the page. Hope you find it helpful!

ASUtv broadcasts year-round to the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area on cable television and webcasts to the world through our partnership with Ustream. ASUtv airs university-produced programs, public television productions, and partnered programs from outside sources. Along with university courses, research programs, press conferences, lectures, special events, and documentaries, ASUtv broadcasts award-winning productions from KAET-TV Eight, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) station serving the greater Arizona area. ASUtv presents the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism's award-winning, student-produced newscast "Newswatch". You can even take a break and retool while enjoying classic movies and newsreels with our Vintage Movie Theater programs. ASUtv is the exclusive internet source for CLIPs (Cinema Lovers Information Program series) a popular cable television show across America. Come follow us on Facebook! http://goo.gl/C41M We Tweet, too! http://twitter.com/ASUtv
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/asutv

Ustream

Ustream can be used to broadcast and video conference. Ustream is one of a kind due to fact all environments and age groups have taking a liking to it.  I urge you to explore the website through the link I have attached.  You can find education advantages it as well as social benefits.

http://www.ustream.tv/

Teaching via Video Conferencing

I found an example of learning taking place via web cam. I think it shows the endless possibilities of video conferencing. 






http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2oedgqs7JQ

OoVoo vs Skype

Here is analysis of ooVoo, a free program like Skype  for video and audio VoIP calls.

In this analysis we performed the tests to evaluate the both programs. We have installed both programs on Windows machine and there was no compatibility problem. They can "run" together.

Skype and ooVoo are programs which can make free audio and video calls from computer to computer over the Internet using microphone and webcam.

Operating system and language:
Skype 4.2.: There are versions of Skype for Windows, Mac and Linux. Translated into Spanish and many other languages

ooVoo 2.8: There are versions for Windows and Mac, not Linux. Translated into Spanish and others.

 

 

Video call:
Skype: Video calls only between two users. You can not adjust the size of your own window. It allows full screen

ooVoo: Multiple users simultaneously show up. Free version with banner advertising. The default window size is the same, but you can put something bigger window you choose. It does not allow full screen.
                                                                                           Skype video call

                                                                                     OoVoo video call

Chat:
Skype: Chat with emoticons.

ooVoo: Chat without emoticons. With publicity, at least in free version.

File Transfer:
Skype: No size limit (I know people who go movies for Skype). It supports simultaneous transfer.

ooVoo: 25 MB limit. Simultaneous transfer of up to 20 files.

Call Recording / video:
Skype: Through third-party software such as Pamela (fee € 15) or many others. In this forum thread also speaking of programs to record Skype calls.

ooVoo: Possible during the first month free. Since then, with a maximum of 1 minute. No limit on your plan ooVoo Super ($ 10 per month).

The recording is of the entire window with all participants and informed them that it is carrying out the recording of the call with a little notice. It is extremely easy to make the recording and everything is done automatically.

Multi – conference:
Skype: No video support multiple simultaneous calls, but audio conferences with up to 24 people, including phone calls to landline or skype. A few years ago could use a program called vSkype which was renamed Festoon for video conferencing, but disappeared. http://www.festooninc.com

ooVoo: In our opinion the strength of ooVoo. Supports multi-conference free of charge up to 3 people. You can try the first month free for conferences for up to 6 people.

Private dining rooms for video chat:
Skype: No.

ooVoo: On the Web can access ooVoo.com a section where you create video web chat rooms (in English, this section is not translated into Spanish), which create an inviting room for 6 people. You can put password or leave it open. The difference with a multi-conference is that you need not be present in the "room", but you can create it for others to access it.

Also you can embed in your website through a script, being necessary to have Java installed for visitors to the website will work.

They have opened up the API (library for developers) to better control the functions of these rooms, and shows some examples of usage.

Video conferencing via the web without software installation:
Skype: No. You need to have installed Skype features on both sides of the Skype program.

ooVoo. If you've installed ooVoo will see that you have a personal web address type http://webvideocall.oovoo.com/callme/ …   If you pass this web address to others, you can make video calls (multiple) with them without having to install anything, just through the browser if they have Java installed. More

We tested this form of video calling and is really comfortable for that kind of friends who are too lazy to install Skype to talk. Or is useful at times have to do a video conference in someone else's computer. It is quite easy.

Dlownloads: oovoo free download   :  Skype free download

Conclusion:
Skype is more comfortable, with better design and higher quality than ooVoo video call, and offers calls to phone numbers via SkypeOut at a low price. But the experience of making a conference call easily, without your contacts are to install anything and even being able to record that experiencemakes ooVoo has its place in the world VoIP … or at least until Skype remove this functionality.

http://www.syednetworks.com/skype-vs-oovoo-comparison

"ooVoo" Video Conferencing

In one of my earlier blog post I introduced you to "Skype Video Conferencing". ooVoo is very similar to Skype in fact many prefer ooVoo over Skype, they both have a lot of similarities. I currently have Skype but after visiting the website I'm considering switching to ooVoo.  Below is the website to ooVoo I hope you explore and able to learn something new.


http://www.oovoo.com/

Second Half Suggestions

I have decided to keep the topic Videoconferencing for the reminder of the semester. However I felt I have shared alot of information. I would like you guys to tell me something about Videoconferencing you would like to learn and also share any information that you still might have questions about . I want to make my blog as useful and helpful as possible. This information will help me prepare for future post!

Youtuble example of Video Conferencing,

CBS did a special on video conferencing, they did a great job of showing how far the technology has come and even how far it is capable of going.  I hope you enjoy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dapC8Y1crEU

Cisco's videoconferencing

I came a cross this article and thought i would share it because it is an alternative to (Skype) a free source of video conferencing!

NEW YORK (AP) - Kaufman Bros. analyst Shaw Wu said Thursday Cisco's new home videoconferencing product is "much better" than free services like Skype with a webcam, but its high price will likely limit widespread adoption.
Cisco Systems Inc. said the product, umi, will cost $599 plus $25 per month. It includes a camera and TV set-top box that are controlled by a remote control.
THE OPINION: "We believe there is a market for premium video conferencing, but it will likely be a high-end niche," Wu wrote in a note to investors.
But with a lower price or the elimination or at least the lowering of the monthly fee, "we see great potential to reach the broader mainstream market," he said, adding that many people would likely consider using this over a voice-only phone call.
THE STOCK: Shares of the San Jose, Calif.-based networking equipment maker climbed 3 cents to $22.33 in midday trading.


http://www.canadianbusiness.com/markets/market_news/article.jsp?content=D9IMVOJ03

Coaches Using Video Conferencing

The Complete Athlete has teamed up telecommunications pioneer ACN to offer our Athletes, Coaches and Faculty Members live, high-resolution video coaching and consults via the new IRIS 3000 Video phone.

The next best thing to being together for an instructional session is to review mechanics, protocols, practice sessions and personal performance progresss via live video teleconferencing.
CA has teamed up with the number one video conferencing telecommunications company to offer our Members and session attendees the new IRIS 3000 video phone.
Simply plug it into a broadband internet connection and within mnutes you're able to make local and long-distance calls free of charge via VOIP connection.
The high-resolution, 7 1/2" screen is adjustable to capture pitching motions and face-to-face consultations equally well. You can even plug it into a larger screen (TV OR computer monitor) to watch the action on a big screen. The phone can also act as a digital picture frame.
We've used this system with our athletes headed off to college or professional assignments, and often find their parents taking advantage of the ACN family calling plans to stay in touch. Even a busy 12 year old can easily use the system to "brush up" on techniques learned in Symposiums or Pitcher-Prep programs. We think of it as high tech meets high touch, and appreciate ACN in assisting us in further innovating our coaching tools.

Free Videoconferencing (SKYPE)

Skype is one of the top ways that people or staying connected these day. It is free of charge and easy to set up. All you need to get started is a web cam and computer. It has many features such as  friends list, the ability to make voice call with videoconferencing, and the ability to make conference call with multiple people. This can be beneficial in many ways, it also has many other features. I have attached a link for you to check out.




  http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/home

Different Types of Video Conferencing

 

Different Types of Video Conferencing

By an eHow Contributor

I want to do this! What's This?

Different Types of Video Conferencing

Video Conferencing. Susan Fox Rogers Book Tour

One of the most-useful technical advancements of this decade is video conferencing. A relatively new method of communicating that is rapidly evolving, video conferencing systems are cost effective, reliable and easy to use. Today's businesses have learned that a video conferencing system is the next best thing to being there.

Identification

1. A video conferencing system is a straightforward and efficient way to communicate with people across the state, country or around the globe. Video conferencing technology can be compared to making a phone call with video and conference calling features. With a video conferencing system, you have audio and visual communication capabilities and can communicate with anyone in the world who has the same equipment.

   Two Types of Video Conferencing

2. There are two different types of video conferencing and many different companies that manufacture and sell the equipment.
   
   Point-to-point video conferencing is communicating in real time with any number of people who are in two different physical locations. This application is invaluable for a company with just one branch office.
   
   Multi-point video conferencing is communicating in real time with any number of people in three or more geographic locations. Multi-point can save time and money, especially for a company with more than two locations.

   Dedicated Video Conferencing Systems

3. Dedicated systems make purchasing multiple components unnecessary. A dedicated video conferencing system streamlines the process because the users only need one piece of equipment. A dedicated system includes the visual components, the network and audio equipment in one. Some dedicated systems are portable, which makes them perfect for one user. Larger systems offer more diversity and are more suitable for corporate users.

   Desktop Video Conferencing Systems

4. Almost any computer workstation can be configured to function as a video conferencing system. Add software, a microphone, video camera and speakers and your workstation can function as a video conferencing system.

   ISDN Networks

5. Video conferencing is accomplished by using a computer network. Networks link video conferencing participants with each other. ISDN are integrated services digital networks. It is a phone line that compresses the data and allows the audio and video, along with print data to be sent and received to other computers on the network at the same time. An ISDN network is extremely high quality and allows multiple participants to communicate significantly faster than those using a computer modem.

   IP Networks

6. IP networks are Internet protocol networks that let participants communicate through an IP address. Video conferencing participants only need to input a specified IP address and video conferencing is a reality.

http://www.ehow.com/about_5485805_different-types-video-conferencing.html

Videoconferencing Introduction

Video conferencing is a new age technology that allows us to connect people in different locations. It allows us to have face to face meetings with people across the country through computers, TV monitors and numerous others devices. It is used in a variety of fields from social networking, staying connected with friends and family, educational settings, and businesses. In my attempt to educate myself and others, I will try to shared information on my Blog that I feel is useful and informative. If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to ask or comment.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Videoconferencing