Webex Demo: Teaching SketchUp through the NET
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Susan, don't know if you looked into "go to meeting", I've taken a couple of cad classes where the instructor used this and it worked very well. https://www1.gotomeeting.com/t/gg/gotomeeting-ext/g2msem3?Portal=www.gotomeeting.com&Target=m/g2msem3.tmpl
Mike
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Thanks for that link, Mike. I went and checked it out. The good points are that it appears quite a bit cheaper than Webex and it too covers PC & MAC. Also, you can commit to a monthly service only if you wish. No need to have a yearly contract, though it is cheaper that way.
The shorcoming is that they do not offer a VOIP option at all and the conference calling feature is toll based. 5 cents per minute. It would appear that that is paid by the client calling in. It is so open ended and unkown a figure that I beleive that to be off-putting. Using Skype for free is an option but then it isn't integrated and just adds another layer of technical difficulty with conference attendees.
Can you tell me more about how you made voice connection when you attended your on-line seminar? Was there file sharing? Instructor accessed a student' remote computer to make corrections? With you at all? Was it fast, slow, in- between? Anything else you can add? Webcam? Instructor guaging pace at which students managed or did not manage to follow? -
Susan, I don't know about the file sharing as I was e-mailed a practice project that we used for the online training sessions. But I was able to see the instructors screen (his project) so that I could follow along and also he was able to remote controll my mouse and make changes on my screen (my project) when needed. The speed seemed good as there didn't seem to be any lag time although we were only states apart and not oceans. Also as far as the voice connection, it was just like a conference call, I took several 3hr classes and didn't really notice any big increase in my phone bill so maybe that depends on what kind of long distance calling plan that you have. There also was a online chat feature, but we didn't use it because I imagine it would have been difficult to work in the program and to try and type questions and wait for replys. Over all, I was pleased with the sessions and as I mentioned before the go-to-meeting software seemed to work very well. Also I don't know if a webcam option is available since I don't own one. I believe that they have a 30 day trail that you could try.
Mike
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Im available Susan if you still need testers in the UK in the future.
I have mic and webcam. -
Thanks Dylan, I may just plan a major SketchUp Love In. Invite 15 of you at a time just to hear voices and wish good cheer of the season. In fact. I'm sure I will. Maybe just before XMAS.
BTW Dylan, how did your training sessions go?
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Susan - I use skype everyday, to Mac and PC users worldwide. My current project is in Dubai. I've had clients in the US walk me through their constructions with mobile laptops with camera, I've had three way conference calls with the client and builder, all with their sketchup file open and exchanging pics and links as we go - and it's all for free.
I use Skype for my calls to mobiles and all long distance calls because it's cheaper than my local telco and is payable via paypal as a debit system.
I have a logitech camera that gives me hands free operation so I no longer use a headphone with mic so if you want an aussie trial I'd be happy to assist.
Skype is utterly fantastic and I couldn't operate without it.
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@sorgesu said:
BTW Dylan, how did your training sessions go?
It did'nt, yet!
Unfortunately I found out our training suite at work is now being used as a temporary office, due to the floods we had in the UK a few months back.
Apparantly it will be returned to normal in January sometime, so I have some breathing space and lots of time to prepare. -
Hi guys. I thought I would give you an update on this. Thank you all for your kind offers to test this out. We really couldn't get our schedules in sync but I did test it out.
Ray Brown, a sometime contributor on this forum, helped me out with the testing.
In fact, I just launched my online instructor led webinars on my site and there is a video/audio clip providing an example of how one of these webinars works. In the clip Ray is "Ed", a student who is on a MAC, while I am teaching from a Windows based PC, who runs into a problem during the class.
Unfortunately the video clip doesn't show the class list which is normally floating so you can't see when he "raises his hand" to ask a question and the audio didn't record the bell sound that is audible when he asks a question. I found the Webex with the integrated VOIP to be very successful and I have already done a distance day long training using the WEBEX tools. I've signed on for a year. I was much impressed.If you have a chance, check out the clip, Ray is a hoot as a poor lost student trying to make sense out of SketchUP : http://www.entouragearts.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=142
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Susan, that was awesome!!! You are going to be very busy, as if you aren't already!
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Very good Susan.
I know Ray, and you probably really did teach him how to use the Move tool properly.
Last time I talked with Ray was during 3D Basecamp. We were buying each other cool beverages at the airport after the conference. We were talking, talking, talking. I realized what time it was, and had I delayed another minute, I would have missed my flight!
Todd
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I tried out different types of meeting softwares with more and less success. Let me know about Webex.
Burkhard
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Susan, the video won't load for me
I'll try back later. -
That looks pretty cool Susan, I hope this works well for you.
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Susan My time is more limited right now but if you add me to the list and let me know when you are going to do a webex or other online demo SU meeting let me know and if I can attend I'll do so.
Regards
Phil
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Todd, I don't think you were talking to Ray. He cries every time he thinks of basecamp because he couldn't make it. I wonder who it was that you were talking to?
Phil, I'm not really doing any demo's any more, just classes, but you are welcome to sit in and assist!!
Boo, it runs under Windows media player and it should link to the download if you don't have it installed. Can you tell me if you continue to have trouble with it, that is not a good thing at all.
Tina, Dylan, etc thanks much for good wishes.
PS> Ray did ineed learn to use the MOVE tool I assure you. -
Susan, it is working fine on my home machine. I will check again at work tomorrow. Maybe it was a problem with our server at work??? I do have Windows media at work so it is not that.
Thanks for responding. -
@sorgesu said:
Todd, I don't think you were talking to Ray. He cries every time he thinks of basecamp because he couldn't make it. I wonder who it was that you were talking to?
Well, call the police, 'cuz there's a guy running around impersonating Ray Brown then. I would have sworn that was his name. Darn. Now it's bugging me.
Hummmm... Must post a thread in the SketchUp personals...
"Happily married programmer-type (D&DF, non-smoker) ISO HWP SketchUp Artist. I saw you and talked with you in the Denver Airport in October 2005. You were a silent type, but handsome, intelligent, sharp dressed, slim, articulate and I remember looking through your black rimmed glasses into your eyes. Your receding hairline was kinda cute. We had both just attended 3D Basecamp, but our paths never really crossed until our airport encounter. We shared stories of happy clients and other random stuff. I had to jump up and leave to catch my plane, so I really didn't get to wish you a proper farewell...
Signed... Forgetful"
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I'm nonplussed. Can't think of anything to say to your ad.
Except maybe, there was a ROY Brown that contributed to the old forum for a while. Not very often but I did note it because of the similarity of name. Could it have been Roy Brown? -
It's OK Susan - I'm normal... just having fun with a "personal ad" theme!
Yes, I bet it was Roy Brown. Good catch!
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Susan, I have tried several times today at work with no success. The video won't play. I have the latest Windows media player installed. I just get "transferring from..." at the bottom for a while then "Done" with a black box where the video should be.
But like I said earlier, I can see it fine at home.
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