iTalkSlides debuted on Sept 11. This Tellsoft service enables companies to offer live Internet presentations, chat functionality and spontaneous Web tours. It is Web-
based so participants do not have to download proprietary software. Presenters can upload an unlimited number of PowerPoint slides, images (jpeg and gif files) or Web pages. The
presentations are delivered using any touch-tone phone in conjunction with the presenter being online to conduct the event using a Web-based control screen.
PlaceWare bills itself as a complete Web conferencing e-service, offering a virtual conference center where you can hold live interactive meetings and present visually
rich materials over the Internet with only a Web browser and a phone. You can share graphical content with the audience, broadcast applications from your desktop, stream audio and
video, take your audience on Web tours, collaborate using whiteboards, conduct instant audience polls and create on-the-fly content.
LiveApp is an online classroom product of New York-based HorizonLive that was originally created for distance learning, but has since spilled into the corporate world.
It opens any application and sends the screen image of the program as a slide. HorizonLive also offers integrated polling and surveys, in which participants respond to yes/no
polls in real time and group results are instantly tabulated. The service also touts breakout rooms, which allow the creation of smaller group to create more in-depth
interaction.
WebEx is one of the more frequently used services on the market. Its programs feature tools that allow you to produce dynamic Web events of any size. The company offers
fully-managed, live interactive presentation services, including document and presentation sharing, software demonstrations, remote application sharing, collaborative
functionality, optional voice-over IP and video conferencing. WebEx offers pay-per-use meetings that are priced on a per-participant, per-minute basis. The current rate is 20
cents/minute per user with additional charges for teleconferencing.
Astound Conference Center, from Astound Inc., allows you to set up and conduct Web meetings, collaboration sessions, virtual seminars and online training for an audience
via the Web. Users can take a PowerPoint presentation, use the Guided Web Tour Feature or receive real time feedback and deliver it all as a Web conference or training session
within minutes. The service is hosted for you, so you don't need to spend any extra money involving your IT dept. All you need is a Web browser and a Real Player (for audio/video
streaming).
MSHOW.com offers a wide variety of features such as interactive messaging, voting and polling and real-time application demonstrations. The service also allows you to
view a map showing whom and where your audience is at all times. They assign a show leader to every event. They also have an "annotation tool" that allows you to sketch and type
key points in real time.