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Splidz
01-12-2006, 08:56 AM
Wondering if anybody here can help me out. I have a client who I do software development work for that wants to be able to webcast presentations. These presentations must be visible to multiple people at once, accessible via a webpage, and require no special software on the part of the viewers (windows media player or flash player would be okay).

Currently I'm thinking about a setup like I read about in a NYT article examining webcam pornography, where video can be broadcast live, and viewers have a chatbox where they can type in stuff. From that article I know this setup is possible, I'm just not sure where to start. (Believe it or not, I've never actually seen webcam pornography, I prefer my porn pre-recorded ;).

Any recommendations? We have space on a Linux server, he has a webcam, etc. He has considered a third-party streaming video service but I told him he's already paying for hosting so we might as well try to put something up ourselves.

Any thoughts appreciated, especially if you can recommend free software for Linux that will let us accomplish this!

Cptmorgan
01-12-2006, 12:40 PM
We were just shopping for something like what your looking for. We went with ePop conferencing software. Now i don't know about the webcam, but if your presenting software...do they really need to see you and a low resolution monitor of your software? I think not.
The software is installed on one of our own servers in our dmz. It doesnt take much to run it either. Just a simple 2 processor windows server.

Now ePop (25 concurrent connections for $10,000 per year) is really cool and all but i dont think its geared strickly for presentations like what your looking for. So here is what i recommend for you:
http://www.livemeeting.com
I have seen this is action as a presentee, and its very nice. Although i think the builtin voice doesnt work well because i havent seen anyone use it yet (everyone just dials into a conference call).
I think price whise this is going to be quite expensive, but its an easy and pleasurable experience for your customers.
If you want to see livemeetings.com in action go sign up for this web site's next monthy presentation. http://www.biscom.com (i just checked and i dont think they have the sign up for their next one up yet).

I think microsoft have a service as well, but its VERY expensive. Any way you go its going to be somewhat expensive. ePop was good for us becuase it wasnt too expensive and very easy to use/maintain.

RagingSamster
01-12-2006, 01:42 PM
My company uses webex, www.webex.com it works great for static presentations, but streaming video would not be an option

Cptmorgan
01-12-2006, 02:12 PM
My company uses webex, www.webex.com it works great for static presentations, but streaming video would not be an option

Yep webex is another we looked at.

Splidz
01-13-2006, 09:32 PM
Thanks guys...I'll look into your suggestions. From the sounds of it static presentations are the way to go.