The Flashmeeting Project 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 and a
url, containing
a unique password for the meeting, is returned
by the server. 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. Visit this
page to see the
differences.
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! 
Video and Audio broadcast over a network or internet.
No
download and installation - it works in a web browser with Flash
8 (or greater) 'plugin'.
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.
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