[LINK] Government teleconferencing

[Jan Whitaker]

At 12:31 AM 12/03/2009, stephen at melbpc.org.au wrote:
>Lindsay Tanner said: "Gone are the days of poor sound quality and fuzzy
>images making video conferencing more trouble than it's worth.
>TelePresence offers big screens, with high definition sound making the
>option of actually choosing to hold a meeting using this technology a
>real and cost-effective alternative to getting on a plane."

Have any linkers seen this particular technology [Telstra/Cisco] in 
use? [BTW, I'm copying Lindsay Tanner into this message]

I've been around videoconferencing for -- goodness! -- 20 years! 
Gawd, I'm getting old. Anyway, it's not the picture that is generally 
the problem, it's the AUDIO. Unless these installations pay attention 
to proper mic and speaker placement, having HD pictures won't matter 
diddly-squat. Without clear and consistent audio, you might as well 
shut it down. No communication will take place -- full stop.

Also, voice-following cameras are useful, but may not even apply the 
level of visual information needed at any particular time. Rooms and 
seating must be designed to accommodate the right number of people 
participating, with proper camera placement, lighting, window covers, 
etc etc. All of those elements affect the visual experience. 
PictureTel had pretty good voice-follow camera controllers.

The third component is access to graphic support information during 
discussions. That takes skill to use. It also takes additional 
equipment that is switchable into the system on demand - quickly and 
easily. Otherwise you might as well put all the participants on a voice call.

I sure hope the suppliers of these systems are up to scratch to 
handle all of the above in the range of government offices/agencies 
they will encounter. I did it for several colleges in Victoria and 
even *that* was a challenge.

I also hope that the government has done an analysis of the training 
needs for this. I also did a project for an unnamed University med 
school and the egos were just too large to allow for the necessary 
training required. I can just imagine the same thing happening in 
govt agencies if not approached in a way to make this a worthwhile investment.

good luck to them. Happy to provide advice and input, Lindsay -- for 
a fee of course. ;-)
Jan


Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
jwhit at janwhitaker.com
blog: http://janwhitaker.com/jansblog/
business: http://www.janwhitaker.com

Our truest response to the irrationality of the world is to paint or 
sing or write, for only in such response do we find truth.
~Madeline L'Engle, writer

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