One of the features of my current contract is having to keep in regular contact with a team of specialists, who are based at numerous locations around the country.
Sure, we have the usual means of communications: IM, Email, SharePoint, and the somewhat traditional Telephone (for point to point and conference phone calls).
But we also have that other late 20th Century method of keeping in touch.
VideoConferencing.
As any good infrastructure specialist will tell you, VideoConferencing will only work if your infrastructure is up to the job.
In the past (not this contract), I’ve taken part in VideoConferences between Swindon, Cambridge, a research vessel in the South Atlantic, and a research station in the Antarctic.
Those ultra long-distance VideoConferences worked 100% effectively, just as the ones in my current job.
But there are some organisations that try to run VideoConferences on substandard infrastructure.
This is their story – a story of those cheap, shabby organisations try to run 21st Century technology on 19th Century infrastructure…
But enacted in real life.
Enjoy!
Genius! Totally accurate too.
Most web conferences suck – I have to attend a fair few of them nowadays due to the geographical hugeness of the US and the fact I (currently) choose to live right in the inaccessible frozen tundra middle of it all forty thousand leagues from civilization.
Even with an internet connection as fast as a gazelle with its tail on fire you’re still prey to the lowest quality connection of any participant. Citrix Plug In…bah.
Have you tried Google Hangouts? They’re fun too. Fun like going to the dentist fun.
I see the words ‘citrix plugin’ and I know that’s not a VC set-up that would pass my quality control.
But Google Hangouts are a thing? I thought it was just an icon on my phone, like G+. You mean people use it/them?
I LOVED that!
Brilliant. Just like the real thing.
And don’t get me started on Citrix Plugins, Ian.
No, seriously, please don’t.
So, Masher, about these citrix plugins…?