NetMeeting – Microsoft’s Take on Video Conferencing

Microsoft’s Baby

Mac came out with a video conferencing system called the iChat that was only available to their OSX users. The NetMeeting system was designed so that Microsoft users had access to their own ultimate video conferencing system. NetMeeting offers the basic services that you would expect in a video conference system. It also offers additional features that allow the user to customize their meeting, have complete control and maximize the conference interaction.

NetMeeting has features that allow users to chat, instant message and utilize a Whiteboard. Documents, applications and files can be transferred easily and rapidly from one participant to another. Since this system is run through the internet, any number of satellite sites can join a meeting with out needing additional equipment.

Initiating a NetMeeting Meeting

Microsoft has the reputation of being very user friendly. So it shouldn’t be surprising that hosting a NetMeeting is fairly simple to do; the system takes you through step-by-step and lets you customize as you go. To get started, select the host meeting option. The system will prompt you to enter the name of the meeting. Enter whatever name you choose and continue on. The next prompt will ask for the password. It is important to make sure all participants known the password; they won’t gain access without it.

There are several security settings that the host can choose from. These settings range from controlling incoming and outgoing calls to removing a participant from the meeting. Only the host can activate these options; giving them complete control on who attends the meeting.

Once you have set up the conference, you can invite participants. Only the people you have given the access password to will be able to enter the conference. Almost all customized services are available to the host to use anytime during the meeting. The only exception would be the audio and video services. If the host has selected the meeting to be secured, these options will be blocked for the remainder of the conference.

Staying Focused, Staying Efficient

The main draw of video conferencing is that it is a time saver. Hosting a meeting without an agenda can quickly dissolve the conference into a waste of time. To ensure a productive meeting that covers all the points, a host needs to send out an agenda to all participants prior to the meeting. This will show them what topics to expect and keep everyone focused on the task at hand. Electing an individual at each point will give the host an assistant in managing the conference by keeping everyone on task, correcting any technical problems and ensuring that everyone gets a chance to contribute.

One of the NetMeeting tools that participants might find useful is the Whiteboard. This feature allows the host to upload diagrams or images for everyone to view. All participants can then make alterations or post comments. Any changes can be saved and redistributed to each attendee of the meeting.

Video conferencing is quickly becoming the new way to do business. It can bring together many people, ideas and concepts with ease. NetMeeting is user friendly and a great way to customize a conference in order to get the most done as easy as possible.

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