The technology task force working group had a conference call on At-Large Technology Taskforce 2014-01-20 - Webex testing to test the Cisco Webex web conferencing solution.
TTF Persons on the call : Dev Anand Teelucksingh, Gordon Chillcott, Olivier Crepin-Leblond.
Some of the notes from the meeting:
- DAT connected using computer audio - Cisco Webex does a hardware check first to test your audio and microphone before entering into the room. GC reported that a similar check was done when connected with Android
- There is a list of participants, but there isn't a way to raise your hand. OCH believes based on past experiences, that this is available but configurable by the organiser to enable it.
- There is a chat windows where participants can send chat messages privately to a person or publicly. This is configured by a dropdown at the bottom of the chat window to all participants or to a specific person which potentially can result in accidentally sending messages to the public when it was intended for only a specific person.
- Participants can activate their webcams on their (Android) phone and on desktops. Webex displays the webcam feed of whoever is speaking. When you choose the full screen, the screen shows all of the turned on webcams of the participants.
- OCL noted that an inability to set the language preferences of the meeting, where Webex detects the keyboard language setting and switches the menus in the meeting accordingly.
- Files can be uploaded in the main window by the host to show to participants. Multiple files uploaded are loaded in separate tabs. The Presenters (not the Hosts) can control what page of the PDF is being shown to participants
- There is also a whiteboard where particpants can doodle or enter text. It is image based so text can be entered but can't be copied.
- PDF Files uploaded via DAT using Windows XP did not display. OCL using Windows 7 was able to upload a PDF.
- The PDF can be annotated using the whiteboard tools.
- Presenters can share their desktops screens
- Only one file can be displayed in the main window/pod but can't show two documents side by side for example.
- OCL noted the lack of customisation of the positioning of the various windows (document, chat, participants) ; chat and participants windows can be minimized to give more screen estate for documents.
- No method to poll the participants (short of asking them and seeing audio or visual responses)
- Meetings are recorded and can be paused by the host.
- This solution may be useful for the Nomcom for small meetings with 3-4 persons.
According to Cisco meeting plans http://www.webex.com/plans/meetings-plans.html, its free for 3 persons per meeting with VoIP.
http://www.webex.com/products/web-conferencing/mobile.html - supports iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry
