FlashMeeting includes an application based on the Adobe Flash 'plug in' and Flash Media Server. Running in a standard web browser window, it allows a dispersed group of people to meet from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. Typically a meeting is pre-booked by a registered user, a 'booker', and a url containing a unique password for the meeting is provided. The 'booker' passes this on to the people they wish to participate, who simply click on the link to enter into the meeting at the arranged time.
During the meeting one person speaks (i.e. broadcasts) at a time. Other people can simultaneously contribute using text chat, the whiteboard, or emoticons etc. while waiting for their turn to speak. This way the meeting is ordered, controlled and easy to follow. A replay of the meeting is instantly available, to those with the 'unique' replay url.
Meeting users belong to one of three account types; Guest, Sign in and Booker.
It's main feature is that it is so easy to use!
FlashMeeting's simple interface.
Click the large 'broadcast' button to begin broadcasting both your image and sound to everyone else in the meeting - when you've finished click the button again to stop. Simple!
Only one person speaks at a time like in a real meeting - eliminating any overlaps or confusion. If you have something important to say - then everyone in the meeting will hear you!
If you click the 'broadcast' button when another person is already broadcasting you will join the 'queue'. If you are first in the queue when the broadcaster finishes, you automatically begin broadcasting!
FlashMeeting Features:
- Video and Audio broadcast over a network or internet
- No download and installation - it works in a web browser with Flash 8 (or greater) 'plug-in'
- Easy to use - click the Broadcast button to start - click again to stop
- Indicate your intention to speak with a simple queuing system
- Public Text chat - chat to others while watching the broadcast
- Private Text chat - send private messages to individuals
- Share a URL - open a web page on all remote machines
- Shared whiteboard available to share text, drawing or photographs
- Vote and 'Emoticon' options - share your opinions and feelings
- Countdown timer shows time remaining
- View participants either as a list of images or names
- Simple booking procedure to manage your meetings
- Secure and private meetings
- Low-data friendly (one broadcast stream at a time)
- Record the meeting for easy web replay