Web Conferencing Glossary
Ad-Hoc Meeting – a meeting that can be held immediately, “on-the-fly”
Adobe Connect – Adobe Connect is a Web Conferencing solution that provides rich, interactive, multimedia experiences with audio, video and interactive Flash applications for real-time collaboration, with no need for additional plug-ins. If superb video and hassle free implementation (i.e., no firewall problems) are important features for your Web Conferencing solution, Abobe Connect is a good solution.
Annotation Tools- drawing tools such as highlight, arrows, text, shapes etc., that can be used either on a blank screen (whiteboard) or overlayed on a document (such as PowerPoint or Word docs) for explanatory purposes during a
presentation.
Application Sharing – the ability to give or receive remote control of each other’s applications and documents within the Web conferencing interface, while other participants view edits in real time.
Attendee Management – the ability to manage attendees through the Web
conferencing interface. Attendee Management features may include: acceptance and dismissal from meeting, muting, permissions and privilege granting, etc. Audio Conference Controls – refers to the ability of the moderator to control the audio of participants (either teleconference audio connection or VoIP) via the online Web conferencing interface.
Auto Dial Out – when participants log in to the Web conferencing interface, they can be automatically prompted to call in to the teleconference number, or have the teleconference call them.
Breakout Rooms – separate rooms outside the main Web conferencing interface where participants can have private meetings. Some Web conferencing solutions offer breakout rooms with chat only while others offer the full range of features offered in the main interface.
Cross Platform Compatibility – refers to whether a Web Conferencing solution interface is compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux platforms. Some Web conferencing solutions require that the moderator download and install a
program that is only compatible with Windows operating system. Mac and Linux users may participate (but not host a meeting) using a limited browser version of the Web conferencing solution.
Custom Branding – allows users to add their company logo and color scheme to the Web conferencing solution interface.
Custom URL – the option to have a consistent and unique web address (URL) for your Web conferencing meeting room.
Desktop Sharing – the ability to view and even give or receive remote control of each other’s computer desktop within the Web conferencing interface.
Document Library – a library to store documents and files (such as PowerPoint, Word docs, PDFs, JPGs, etc.) to be used in the Web conferencing meeting. Documents may be uploaded to the Library before the meeting or ad hoc during the meeting. The length of time that documents are stored online vary between different Web conferencing solutions.
Download Required – when participants are required to download and install an application to their computer to participate in the Web conferencing meeting. Some Web conferencing solutions do not require a participant download at all (Flash based solutions) and are 100 percent crossplatform compatible, and other Web conferencing solutions may require an installation of an application which also may require users to have a specific computer operating system (see Cross Platform Compatibility).
Drawing Tools – same as annotation tools – tools such as highlight, arrows, text, shapes etc., that can be used either on a blank screen (whiteboard) or overlayed on a document (such as PowerPoint or Word docs) for explanatory purposes during a presentation.
Files/Document Library – see Document Library
File Transfer – the ability to transfer files and documents between one
Flash - is a multimedia platform that is popular for adding video, animation and interactivity to web pages. Some Web conferencing interfaces are Flash based, providing a fluid interactive environment and a broad base for accessibility (95-98 percent of Web users are estimated to have Flash installed).
IBM LotusLive Meetings – is the Web conferencing component of IBM’s portfolio of online services which include Web conferencing (LotusLive Meetings and LotusLive Events), collaboration (LotusLive Engage and LotusLive Connections), and e-mail (LotusLive Notes and LotusLive iNotes).
Integrated Audio – see integrated teleconferencing below
Integrated Teleconferencing – when the teleconferencing features (audio through a phone connection) are built into the Web conferencing solution interface to provide reliability. Also, when a meeting is recorded, both the audio of the teleconference call, and the corresponding Web based interactions of the Web conferencing solution interface are recorded together (i.e., integrated).
Live 24/7 Support – some Web conferencing solutions provide support 24/7, 365 days per year
LiveMeeting – is a versatile, full-featured Internet conferencing solution for small meetings to large events. If your company is dedicated to using Microsoft Office Products, Microsoft LiveMeeting might be a viable solution for you.
Lotus Notes Integration - is a popular collaborative business program from IBM which integrates e-mail, calendars and applications on [an] IBM Lotus Domino server (client side). Some Web conferencing solutions have integrated an add-in with Lotus Notes that will launch the Web conferencing solution from within the Lotus Notes interface. This allows Lotus Notes users to manage their e-mail lists and calendars for the Web conferencing meetings from within Lotus Notes. Meeting Calendar – some Web conferencing solutions offer a dedicated Meeting Calendar in their back-end administration as an option to schedule meetings. Meeting Follow-up Participant Reporting – Web conferencing solutions offer various post-meeting reporting, such as attendees’ names, number of attendees, duration of meeting, Q&A, surveys, etc.
Multiple Languages – some Web conferencing solutions provide their interface in multiple languages.
Netspoke – is an easy to use Web conferencing product that offers all the “Basic” features of a Web conferencing solution, but also offers many
advantages of a “Full Featured” product. This may be a good solution for you if you want to start off simple, yet have the option to use advanced features of Netspoke when necessary.
ON24 -fits a specific niche in Web conferencing products in that it is primarily designed for webcasting using streaming audio and video. Webcasting is
typically one-way, with limited viewer interaction, but its main advantage is that it can reach 1,000′s of viewers. ON24 is an excellent choice to meet your
streaming event requirements.
On-Demand Meetings – Web conferencing meetings that can be held immediately, “Ad-hoc” or “On-the-fly,” without assistance or scheduling required.
On-Demand Streaming – When recorded Web conferencing meetings are hosted online and made available to view via Web browsers at any time (free or Pay-Per-View).
Operator-assisted Web Conferencing – Web conferencing meetings that require assistance from an operator or manager. Some important meetings such as events or webcasting require the assistance of an operator or manager. OutLook Integration – Some Web conferencing solutions have integrated an add-in with Outlook that will launch the Web conferencing solution from within Outlook’s interface. This allows Outlook users to manage their e-mail lists and calendars for the Web conferencing meetings from within Outlook.
Participant Download Required – when participants are required to download and install an application to their computer to participate in the Web conferencing meeting. Some Web conferencing solutions do not require a participant download at all (Flash based solutions) and are 100 percent crossplatform compatible, and other Web conferencing solutions may require an installation of an application which also may require users to have a specific computer operating system (see crossplatform compatibility).
PowerPoint Integration – as PowerPoint is the world’s most popular business slide presentation program, most Web conferencing solutions have integrated PowerPoint into their Web conferencing interface. The method that each Web conferencing solution does this varies (such as converting the PowerPoint presentation to dynamic HTML or jpgs).
Q&A – a Question and Answer (via text) application built into many Web conferencing solutions.
Quiz – a Quiz application (via text) built into many Web conferencing solutions. Recording & Playback – many Web conferencing solutions offer the ability to record the meeting and offer a link to the meeting for “on-demand”
playback. Host archival storage varies in length. If “Integrated
Teleconferencing” is offered, both the audio from the teleconference, and a recording of the Web conference (visually) will be integrated and available. Recording Editing – some Web conferencing solutions offer the ability to edit the recording of the meeting to optimize the presentation for “on-demand” playback or edit out non-relevant content for archival purposes.
Remote Control (Control Granting) – the ability to give or receive remote control of each other’s applications and documents within the Web conferencing
interface, while other participants view edits in real time.
SaaS – Software As A Service - is a software delivery method in which
applications are hosted by a vendor or service provider and made available to customers remotely over a network, typically the Internet.
Screen Sharing – the ability to view, and even give or receive remote control of each other’s computer screen, within the Web conferencing interface.
Session Recording – the ability to record the meeting and offer a link to the meeting for “on-demand” playback. Session recording may be audio only, Web only, Web and VoIP, or if “Integrated Teleconferencing” is offered, both the audio from the teleconference and a recording of the Web Conference (visually) will be integrated and available.
Streaming Audio – streaming refers to the delivery method of the medium rather than the medium itself. Streaming audio is content sent in a continuous stream of data over the Internet and is played as it arrives, unlike audio files that are
played after the entire file has been downloaded.
Streaming Video – streaming refers to the delivery method of the medium rather than the medium itself. Streaming video is content sent in a continuous stream of data over the Internet and is played as it arrives, unlike movie files that are played after the entire file has been downloaded.
Survey – a questionnaire-taking application (via text) built into many Web conferencing solutions.
Teleconferencing – is a telephone meeting between two or more participants or groups usually involving technology more sophisticated than a simple two-way phone connection. At its simplest, a teleconference can be an audio conference with one or both ends of the conference sharing a speaker phone. Today’s audio teleconferences are often arranged over dial-up phone lines using bridging services that provide the necessary equipment for the call, and may involve an operator to manage and give assistance for the call. Most Web conferencing solutions include the integration of teleconferencing to assure reliability and accessibility.
Text Chat – text chat between moderators and participants. Moderator may have tools to define privileges limiting communication between participants.
Toll Free – some Web conferencing solutions offer the option of Toll-Free teleconferencing numbers for participants to call in to the conference. The availability and rates of toll free access vary among providers, and may be separate from the Web conferencing rates.
Video Conferencing – differs from using a webcam during a Web
conference. Video conferencing uses high-quality video cameras and requires both locations to have similar specialized video equipment, whereas Web
conferencing may or may not include the use of consumer webcams, and the viewer only needs a web browser and an internet connection to view and interact with the meeting.
VoIP – (Voice over Internet Protocol) refers to technology that enables voice conversations to be converted into digital packets and sent over the Internet, then re-converted into analog signals. The main disadvantage of VoIP is a
conferencing solutions offer VoIP as an option to teleconferencing. When reliability is required during a Web conference, teleconferencing is always recommended over VoIP.
WebEx – is both a “Full Featured” and an “Event” Web conferencing solution, offering both WebEx Meeting Center™ and WebEx Event Center™ for online collaboration. WebEx offers MediaTone™ Network as a private global network that requires no new hardware or software, and provides robust security and reliability.
Webcam – small cameras that attach to a user’s monitor and computer via USB port that allow video chat sessions (usually a head and shoulders shot) during a Web Conference. Most full featured web conferencing solutions offer a Video panel, usually for the Presenter, although there are limitations as to how many participants can be logged on with their webcam.
Webcasting – the broadcast of either a live or pre-recorded (on-demand) event over the Internet. Typically a Webcast is one-way, with limited participant interaction, and may involve the use of streaming audio, video, Q&A, polls, and slide presentations. Many Webcasting products offer scalable solutions that can reach from hundreds to thousands of people. A Webcast may be live or recorded and hosted on-line, available for “On-Demand” viewing. See Webinar below. Webinar - is a seminar over the Web using Webcasting, that is typically one-way (see Webcasting above),from the speaker to the audience with limited audience interaction. A webinar may include some interactive features, such as polling and Q&A sessions to allow participation between the audience and the presenter. Participants connect through a web link, watch slide presentations and streaming video, while listening to streaming audio of the presenter (via one-way VoIP) over their computers speakers. In some cases, the presenter may provide teleconferencing over a standard phone line, while pointing out information being presented on-screen. A participant would choose either streaming audio (VoIP), or teleconferencing, but not both, as there is a time lag with VoIP. A webinar may be live, or recorded and hosted online, available for “On-Demand” viewing.
Web Conferencing – is used to conduct live meetings, training, collaborations or presentations via the Internet. Either an application is downloaded and installed on each of the attendee’s computers, or a Web-based application is launched in the attendee’s browser (usually accessed by clicking on an invitation link
distributed by e-mail). Interactive and collaboration features vary among Web conferencing solutions but may include: Streaming video, PowerPoint
presentations, webcams, chat, file sharing, applications sharing, whiteboards, annotation tools, collaborative Web browsing, and file transfer.
