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jasong · Dec 28, 2001, 04:38 PM

Is anyone working on a NetMeeting compatible application for OS X? I would pay fairly well (up to $100.00) for a program that was fully compatible (screen/program sharing, voice chat, text chat, and whiteboard). I have been searching the net for something like this and can't find anything.

If no-one is doing this, does anyone know anything about DC-Share? They do NetMeeting compatible software for UNIX, but it is specific to the distribution, and they don't seem to sell a product directly to consumers.

Please someone have some good news for me.

-- Jason

Edit: Fixed the title so noone would think this had anything to do with a Newton.

[ 12-30-2001: Message edited by: jasong ]

Angus_D · Dec 30, 2001, 05:10 AM

ROTFL. I think the time/effort in developing an app like that would be worth more than $100.

jasong · Dec 30, 2001, 07:57 AM

I forgot, I am the only one who would use it. You are right, I should cover 100% of the development costs.

Smith Micro has an OS 9 app that is able to do the Video/Audio part, and it costs $60.00, I am willing to pay another 40% for Desktop sharing, I would even consider paying more if the thing existed and worked like NetMeeting (of course, it is a Mac application and it should work better

).

We use NetMeeting all the time at my office, it isn't perfect, but most of the problems are internet bandwidth issues and not NetMeeting. It is a real time and money saver, not to mention it makes my life so much easier when troubleshooting computer problems at our offices across the US and UK (I know, Timbuktoo can do that, but the fact is, all our Windows machines have a free app that does it just as well).

Am I really the only one who needs this???

-- Jason

Jan Van Boghout · Dec 30, 2001, 09:22 AM

I could use it for video conferencing with my Windows friends .

Arta · Dec 30, 2001, 09:41 AM

Why not use "iVisit"? it's available for both Mac and Win and as far as I know it's free (not sure). http://www.ivisit.com

Originally posted by jasong:
<STRONG>We use NetMeeting all the time at my office, it isn't perfect, but most of the problems are internet bandwidth issues and not NetMeeting. It is a real time and money saver, not to mention it makes my life so much easier when troubleshooting computer problems at our offices across the US and UK (I know, Timbuktoo can do that, but the fact is, all our Windows machines have a free app that does it just as well).

Am I really the only one who needs this???

-- Jason</STRONG>

RobTerrell · Dec 30, 2001, 11:03 AM

NetMeeting would be a very complicated program to port to the Mac OS with all features intact. Believe me, I've researched it. My company Avacast develops just this sort of online meeting software.

Video and audio isn't too hard, although currently you can only depend upon Quicktime being installed. WMP only ships with Office v.X and who knows when a Carbonized RealPlayer will ship. The really hard part is the application sharing. Most windows app sharing depends on really OS-specific features, and won't work in a cross-platform way.

If you're doing one-to-one communication, do take a look at iVisit. Two of the guys who made CUSeeMe split off and developed it as a commercial app. One of those guys now works with us, and he tells me it still works. It's a fine little program, although a little long in the tooth. Though when you log into the lobby, you mostly meet guys who want to show you their privates. But you can't blame the software for its user community, now can you?

Rob

jasong · Dec 30, 2001, 10:23 PM

I am surprised that this would be that difficult. The H232 protocol that NetMeeting is built off of is public domain as far as I can tell. Netscape used ot ship with a component that allowed Audio/Video with NetMeeting. As for application sharing, I don't think I explained what I meant well. NetMeeting doesn't share the application, it allows a user to see the other computer, and take control of it.

I guess what I want is Timbuktu with the ability to work with NetMeeting (I can't justify buying Timbuktu for my Windows machines when I already have a free app that does what it needs to).

I suppose I am just yelling until I hear the answer I want, but I guess I am not going to hear it.

-- Jason

wadesworld · Dec 30, 2001, 11:30 PM

The standard for whiteboarding is T.120 if memory serves.

A Cisco employee also publishes MacTV, for use with Cisco's IP/TV product, but alas, it does not have whiteboarding.

Wade

BTP · Dec 31, 2001, 03:19 AM

Yeah, I was asking about this a while ago. I too would be willing to buy such a program, but I'll decline to say how much I would be willing to pay, lest I get Angus all riled up.

This is not a killer app, but more a staple. I also commented on how XP has a VoIP app that allows XP users to connect to one another. I know Apple can only concentrate on so much and there are certain priorities, but that doesn't change the fact that there are some apps that I want to have. A Netmeeting-like one would definitely help.

amonitzer · Dec 31, 2001, 12:02 PM

Originally posted by jasong:
<STRONG>I guess what I want is Timbuktu with the ability to work with NetMeeting (I can't justify buying Timbuktu for my Windows machines when I already have a free app that does what it needs to).</STRONG>

Try VNC - it's free and there are clients and servers for all platforms I can think of (well, except my Newton and my HP48 ;-) ).

[ 12-31-2001: Message edited by: amonitzer ]

amonitzer · Dec 31, 2001, 12:04 PM

[oops. wrong button.]

[ 12-31-2001: Message edited by: amonitzer ]

deharlow · Dec 31, 2001, 02:07 PM

Netopia used to make a NetMeeting compatible client that came with Timbuktu under OS 9. You might want to see if they are working on one for OS X.

Daniel

jasong · Dec 31, 2001, 03:19 PM

Netopia no longer has a relationship with Microsoft, so NetMeeting compability is no longer being developed.

OK, so if $100.00 isn't enough, what would someone charge me to develop a program like this?

-- Jason