Web conferencing test: How we did it

The testing team consisted of 11 people in four countries - the U.S., U.K., Switzerland and Austria. Testers used Windows XP-based laptops connected to either corporate networks or broadband Internet; others used Macintosh PowerBooks although support for Macintosh or Linux wasn't a criteria for inclusion in the study. Testers were provided Logitech Notebook Pro Webcams and Logitech Internet Chat Headsets, graciously loaned by Logitech Europe. Each service provided test member accounts, and test team members installed the client application or plug-ins on their clients.

After introductory briefings with service providers, test team members conducted hands-on tests on all components of personal multimedia conferencing and collaboration services in sub-teams of four participants. The four-member teams simulated the preparation of project documents and presentations over the Internet and their corporate networks.

Each service was evaluated for support of interactive voice communications (not quality but connectivity, point-to-point and multipoint), video communications (bidirectional not required but recommended), document viewing, document sharing (modification by user and/or host) and text chat.

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The testing team consisted of 11 people in four countries - the U.S., U.K., Switzerland and Austria. Testers used Windows XP-based laptops connected to either corporate networks or broadband Internet; others used Macintosh PowerBooks although support for Macintosh or Linux wasn't a criteria for inclusion in the study. Testers were provided Logitech Notebook Pro Webcams and Logitech Internet Chat Headsets, graciously loaned by Logitech Europe. Each service provided test member accounts, and test team members installed the client application or plug-ins on their clients.

After introductory briefings with service providers, test team members conducted hands-on tests on all components of personal multimedia conferencing and collaboration services in sub-teams of four participants. The four-member teams simulated the preparation of project documents and presentations over the Internet and their corporate networks.

Each service was evaluated for support of interactive voice communications (not quality but connectivity, point-to-point and multipoint), video communications (bidirectional not required but recommended), document viewing, document sharing (modification by user and/or host) and text chat.

When not in sessions, the evaluation team compared features that assist community members to communicate availability (state, presence), create and send multimedia messages, or schedule and initiate live sessions on a reservation and ad hoc basis.

Testing was conducted from March 9 to March 30, 2005.

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