[IxDA Discuss] Shared virtual whiteboard: Suggestions?

[Corn Walker]

On Feb 29, 2008, at 8:57 AM, Jonas Löwgren wrote:

> I am looking for a setup to share a virtual whiteboard in
> geographically distributed design sessions.
>
> NEEDS-TO-HAVE:
> - runs on Mac and Win, or (even better) platform-independent
> - supports free-hand drawing
> - imports bitmap files or screen shots to draw on
> - more than one user can draw simultaneously
>
> NICE-TO-HAVE:
> - runs without installing very complicated dedicated server software
> - freeware, shareware or affordable payware

Jonas,

Adobe Acrobat Connect, formerly Macromedia Breeze, nearly meets all  
of your "Needs-to-have" criteria. While viewing presentations works  
on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Solaris, collaboration features (sharing,  
annotating) requires Mac OS X 10.2 or later or Windows 98SE or later.  
It supports multiple users freehand drawing simultaneously. Document  
formats supported include PPT, SWF, JPEG, MP3, and FLV so you may  
need to convert your bitmaps/screen shots.

In terms of the "nice-to-have" criteria, it isn't free but there are  
several hosted options available so you don't have to install any  
server software. You'll need to define what "affordable" means but I  
suspect it will be on the high end of the price spectrum for you.

On the client end you'll need the free browser add-in component which  
installs and auto-launches easily enough. This enables any client to  
become a presenter and share their desktop, documents, or  
whiteboards. It also has an audio/video sharing feature that is, as  
might be expected, bandwidth dependent.


Corn Walker
The Proof Group
http://proofgroup.com/