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Videoconferencing is receiving a lot of attention these days. Kinko's alone will soon have 150 sites throughout the country available for videoconferencing. When comparing travel expenses, even at an approximate cost of $150 per hour per site, videoconferencing can be cost effective for any meeting that would otherwise require travel. Now, with improved conferencing software, screen-top video cameras and greater Internet bandwidth, desktop videoconferencing is becoming practical for people with a multi-media computer and modem. Microsoft NetMeeting 2.1 comes bundled with Outlook 98 or is available for free download from www.microsoft.com/netmeeting. This program is an add-on to Internet Explorer and will also work with America Online. In addition, you will also need a sound card (standard on most of today's PCs), screen-top camera (about $170) and a telephone headset (about $60). NetMeeting allows you to conduct a videoconference with two to eight participants. Realistically, however, three to four participants is probably the practical limit with a dial-up modem. Even with a small number of participants, the video images can be uneven. In addition, the audio may not always synchronize with the video (like watching the English translation of a foreign movie). Each participant can see and hear the others and they can simultaneously share almost any Windows 95 software application such as Word, Excel or PowerPoint. NetMeeting may even work with your front-end MLS software. Application sharing does not require each party to have a copy of the program on their computer. However, only one participant in the videoconference can have control of the application cursor at a time. Thus, your organization could conduct small committee meetings without anyone leaving their office. Or, a Realtor® could conduct a face-to-face meeting with a client on the other side of the country. This would allow you to simultaneously look at listings, prepare an offer, or review contract terms. Desktop videoconferencing also holds the promise of helping home-officed employees feel more a part of the organization. Even if you are not currently ready to join the Star Trek generation with a videoconference, it will probably happen sooner than you think. Higher speed communication lines and user demand will quickly make the technology practical and affordable. At the very least, be sure your next computer has a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port into which you can plug your camera. |
