Video Conferencing Toolsby Courtney Conner

Nefsis&

Elluminate

Nefsis

Nefsis Requirements

• Windows 2000, XP or later, Windows Vista preferred• Pentium 4 or newer• 512MB RAM available• Broadband Internet access (DSL, Cable Modem, T1, etc.)• DirectShow 8.1 or later compatible webcam or video input

(optional, to send video)• DirectSound compatible audio input (optional, to send voice),

and headset or speakers• Microsoft® PowerPoint® 97 or later

Unfortunately Nefsis is not currently compatible with Mac’s but a rep for Nefsis said it is in the works.

What is Nefsis?Nefsis is a high quality web and video conferencing tool. It is essentially a virtual classroom for up to 500 concurrent users. It gives you the ability to share your desktop, applications, and power point presentations. It has an interactive whiteboard that everyone can participate on. It has the capabilities to have text chat, video, and voice audio all in one session. Nefsis also has the capabilities to allow you to take control of your participant’s computer. It gives the host the ability to decide which tools and features you want to allow the participants to use. The file transfer was very quick and easy. One of the great features of Nefsis is that it allows you to record all of the meetings to be played back at a later time. Nefsis is great for the users because it doesn’t have to be downloaded; the host is the only one who has to download the application. The users just access the room through a url provided to them. It is a very easily accessible, easy to use tool that just about anyone should be able to figure out.

Nefsis’ Advantages

• Very user Friendly• Quick and easy file transfer• Text, voice, and video chat• Desktop, application, and power point sharing• Interactive white board • Run through encrypted SSL Server• Ability to record sessions

Nefsis’ Disadvantages

• Is not compatible with Macintosh Products• Unable to concurrently work on the same

power point presentation.• Cost– $350/month for up to 5 concurrent users– $500/month for up to 10 concurrent users– Other pricing options available

Elluminate

Elluminate Requirements• All Clients require

– 256 MB of free RAM– 20 MB free disk space– 28.8 kbps Internet connection– Speaker and Microphone, headsets are preferred

• Windows:– Windows 2000, XP, or Vista (32 bit)– Pentium III 1 GHz processor

• Macintosh:– Mac OS X 10.4 or 10.5– G4, G5 or Intel processor

Elluminate Advantages

• Interactive Whiteboard• Text, voice, and video chat• Interaction icons to clap, raise hands, etc.• Ability to record sessions • Cost

– Elluminate vRoom free for up to 3 users– Elluminate vOffice $499/year for up to 50 users– Elluminate vClass up to 400 users (price unavailable)

*Elluminate’s trial version has limited features so there may be more that wasn’t experienced.

Elluminate’s Disadvantages

• “Push to talk” button

*Elluminate’s trial version has limited features so there may be more that wasn’t experienced.

Recommendation

Based on the experience using the software I would recommend Nefsis. There were so many features with the trial version that overshadowed Elluminate. If Elluminate offered a full version trial it may be a different story. The price of Nefsis is quite a bit more but when working with a large group Nefsis’ free to speak voice chat is much better then the push to talk chat.