No. 47

November 25, 2002

Technology:

Eyeball Video Suite 3.0

Several months ago, during one of those "dry spells" in the world of technological innovation, I came very close to reviewing the newly introduced Eyeball Chat - an instant messenger that included audio and video communication among chat partners. It wasn't all that exciting a tool, but it did have a couple of features that got my attention: the quality of video was noticeably better than what I had experienced in similar applications, and the instant messenger offered a workaround for the notorious interoperability problem with its three most popular competitors: Yahoo!, MSN, and AOL IM. However, something slightly more interesting came along and the Eyeball Chat got bumped off the Spotlight.

Good thing, too, because now I am looking at a much more sophisticated and promising implementation of this technology being offered under the name Eyeball Video Suite (version 3.0). The suite consists of three fairly independent servers: Video Communication Server for meeting-style sessions of two or more participants; Video Broadcast Server for lecture-style broadcasts from one or two presenters to a larger audience; Video Mail Server for sending and receiving video messages. The end users can choose between a standalone and a Web-based client. The latter can be customized and embedded in existing Web pages with the help of included Software Development Kit. (Both clients run on Windows only.)

The list of capabilities provided by these components is fairly impressive. Aside from the aforementioned video, audio, and text (chat) communication of one-to-one, one-to-many, or many-to-many variety, the Eyeball platform provides its users with whiteboard, markup tools, peer-to-peer file transfer, online presence detection, recording of sessions, and 128-bit encryption. Administrators can manage Eyeball servers via a Web-based tool.

Unfortunately, it has become a norm that vendors do not provide any pricing information about their products - finding that out requires calling a sales representative - and Eyeball Networks is no exception. I just hope that this is not yet another confirmation of the old adage, "If you can't see the price, you won't be able to afford it."

Multi-point videoconferencing via the Web client:

Conference:

NLII 2003 Annual Meeting

  • "Teaching, Learning, Technology, and the New University"
  • Held January 26-28, 2003 in New Orleans, LA
  • Key themes: E-portfolios --- Faculty Engagement and Support --- Learner-Centered Practices --- Learning Materials, Tools, Markets, and Standards --- Learning Objects --- Partnering in the Learning Marketspace --- Readiness to Transform and Perform --- Systemic Progress in Teaching and Learning --- Strategic Planning and Alignment for Institutional Transformation --- Transformative Assessment Systems --- Virtual Communities

Initiatives:

Open Source Applications Foundation

  • From the executive summary: "In the early decades of the twenty-first century, concentrated efforts can unify science based on unity in nature, thereby advancing the combination of nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, and new humane technologies based in cognitive science. With proper attention to ethical issues and societal needs, converging technologies could determine a tremendous improvement in human abilities, societal outcomes, the nation’s productivity, and the quality of life. (...) This report underlines several broad, long-term implications of converging technologies in key areas of human activity, including working, learning, aging, group interaction, and human evolution. If we
    make the correct decisions and investments today, many of these visions could be achieved within twenty years’ time. Moving forward simultaneously along many of these paths could achieve a golden age that would be an epochal turning point in human history."
  • For a layman's reading of this report please see the CNET.com article: "When Brains Meet Computer Brawn."

Online reading:

  • Making E-Learning Work in the Nonprofit Sector
    • By Jacques LeCavalier (with a contribution by Bill Tucker). Brandon-hall.com, November 2002
    • From the announcement: " The report provides an introductory yet probing look at e-learning in the nonprofit sector. E-learning activity in this sector is increasing, and there is potential for even more growth. With case studies and success stories, the report is designed to help nonprofits tailor their e-learning initiatives for maximum effectiveness."
    • Cost: $49. Executive summary available for free. 20% discount for nonprofits.

She said, he said:

"To find a few ideas that work, you need to try a lot that don't". -- Robert Sutton


© 2002 Vlad Wielbut and the Alliance for Community Technology