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Video conferencing software along with basic hardware enables online conferences for friendly chat sessions or for conducting meetings, training sessions, sales presentations and so on.
Typical costs: |
- Nonprofessionals seeking to conference one-on-one should first try out free messenger software from AOL[1] , Yahoo[2] or Microsoft[3] .
- WebEx[4] is a leading conferencing and desktop sharing application that offers several pricing plans[5] starting at $69 for a "pay as you go" plan with no long-term commitment, and $59 a month for a prepaid annual plan. Both plans include unlimited online meetings and phone conferencing for up to 25 users. For larger capacities or details about a pay-per-use account, e-mail the company's sales office[6] or call 866-833-3910.
- GoToMeeting[7] video conferencing suite charges $49 per month, with no long-term commitment. Its fixed annual plan[8] costs $39 per month, with a one-year commitment yielding a 20 percent discount, for an annual cost of $468.
- MegaMeeting[9] is a competitor that requires no downloads or installation. It charges $45 a month for its professional version, per-seat with a three seat minimum.
Related articles: Conference Calls, Internet Phone Service, Internet Access
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What should be included: |
- Key software functions include a live meeting and webinar platform, instant messaging and permission-based file sharing, which allows authorized workers to access and alter sensitive documents.
- Free trial service, ranging from two weeks to 30 days.
Additional costs: |
- A broadband Internet connection is a necessary upfront cost for those without at least DSL service. At a minimum, video conferencing can be accomplished with an inexpensive webcam, a microphone or headset, and a simple knack for camera composition and audio.
- Most up-to-date PCs, Macs and laptops have decent built-in microphones. If not, webcam manufacturers sell them. CNET offers a thorough comparison chart[10] that covers the bases from $20 to over $100.
- If your computer requires external speakers, go to TestFreak's review of speakers and costs[11] , bearing in mind that an $18 pair by Creative is an adequate starting point.
- For privacy, a better option would be a headset (headphones with an attached microphone), which range from $5 to $50 and up.
- Certain teleconferencing functions, such as acquiring secure meeting-participation passwords for more than the plan's allotted 25 users, may be billed as a separate charge (for example, $7 per connected seat at a highly-attended shareholders conference).
Discounts: |
- Subscription prices should decrease incrementally as the number of users (or seats) increases.
Shopping for video conferencing: |
- Check to see how the manufacturer structures its pricing plans based on the number of planned users.
- Make sure your computer hardware and Internet bandwidth meet the minimum requirements for the software to operate properly.
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External Resources: |
- www.aol.com/?ncid=snsusaolp00000001&src=aim&channel=null&.
- messenger.yahoo.com
- windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/upgrade-your-browser
- www.webex.com
- /signup.webex.com/US/buy/signup.html?TrackID=1017645&goid=buy_webex
- /support.webex.com/MyAccountWeb/globalLogin.do
- www.gotomeeting.com/fec/
- www.gotomeeting.com/fec/gotomeeting_pricing
- www.megameeting.com
- reviews.cnet.com/microphones/
- www.testfreaks.com/pc-speakers/
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