multi-user video conferencing gets easier, part 1

Fresh off the digital presses: a growing trend on "tokbox" in the Twitterverse. All of this happened just a few days ago. On Tuesday evening, December 15th, Tony Steward tweets an invite for people to join him for a live video chat at a tokbox.com virtual conference room. Probably over 60 people joined in during that trial run.

What is Tokbox? It's free video calling from any website with no downloads. I've tried it out, and here's what I found particularly impressive:

• no client software downloads or installation (it uses Adobe Flash Player 10, a web plug-in that most browsers have)
• multiple users, maximum might exceed 50; probably more effective with less than 12
• no registration required
• embeddable into other web pages
• other features too, like video email, instant messaging
• did I mention it's FREE?

So, what do you think the implications are, especially for the church? I've heard that a group of people have had a small group Bible study, staff meetings, and casual conversations (of course).

My tokbox address is tokbox.com/djchuang . I've blogged more about Tokbox at my personal blog with my color commentary of what might happen. More to come as this is a developing story.

-- DJ CHUANG, Director at Leadership Network

Comments

[Cynthia]

Definitely interesting and fun, which also counts. I can confirm that there have already been small group meetings held on tokbox. I've participated in groups of 60 (they really get chaotic - at every level - including technically) and 20, and 5 and 1 to 1 video calling.

I think there is a huge open margin of unresolved issues/questions that will surface in using tokbox effectively for ministry purposes, especially as it relates to unmoderated, open content. I sat eating ice cream in one room and nobody noticed. Those who took their shirts off, however, got attention. They were men, thankfully.

And additionally, there seems to be little doubt it may further foster the celebrity Christianity culture with it's "we're cool" hip, status seeking, nature. I'm not finger pointing; I too, own a white belt. I'm just saying big community + little Jesus is a waste of time.

Yes, small groups can be done by sharing only the URL with welcome attendees. As you've said: "private tokbox group chat is done via security by obscurity (I think), i.e. don't share the video conference URL"

But then, of course, the small group is closed, which challenges, for many, the missional purpose of such a group.

The great news is it's perfect for talking to a group that should be of a private, closed nature, yet with the advantage of video.

I, myself, was in a church web team gathering yesterday and encouraged those there to get cameras pronto. But which ministry models using tokbox will surface with spiritual fruit is yet to be seen.

Guess I better go check out your 'color commentary of what might happen' next. I know, I know, comments are not supposed to be longer than posts.

tokbox.com/cynthiaware

[djchuang]

@Cynthia, thanks for your comment! And since you're a contributor here, you're welcomed to expand your thoughts in an actual blog post.. I think that's why I had unintentionally titled the tokbox post as part 1 -- have a hunch it'll turn into a series

[Greg Atkinson]

My TokBox is tokbox.com/GregAtkinson. I'm starting to use it for conference calls, meetings with small groups of people, online consulting and meetings with clients. I also have ideas for using it in a continuing education/class setting. Good stuff.

[Damon Billian]

Hi DJ,

Thanks for yet another kind post. The Tokbox team appreciates it very much.

Happy Holidays!

[Video Conferencing Setup]

Initially the concept of video conferencing was new to me but due to the change in technologies I felt that work and the performance of business can be effectively be increased positively due to the investment I made in more than one telepresence room. However, many telepresence solutions are now standards based, so they are compatible with other desktop.

[Video Chat]

Since we are facing problems of global warming and other environmental issues it is best that we try to reduce activities that can harm the environment. Besides, planting more trees and plants, we should also use technologies that are environmental friendly. Video conferencing is one of the approaches to help protect the environment.