Useless Features

[vtjoe]

Do people really use the following features? More than once?

1) Voice tracking

2) T.120 (NetMeeting or some other product through the codec)

3) Text Chat over videoconferencing (T.140 or propreitary)

4) Snap/Still images

5) Streaming directly from the codec (single unicast version that is almost impossible to capture and archive)


At our university - the answer would be
1) Voice tracking
Never. People ask for it all the time. I think this falls under "We used once" category.

2) T.120 (NetMeeting or some other product through the codec)
Almost never.

3) Text Chat over videoconferencing (T.140 or propreitary)
Sometimes (tech support only)

4) Snap/Still images
Almost never (never send, only receive)

5) Streaming directly from the codec (single unicast version that is almost impossible to capture and archive)
Almost Never

[Oliver Black]

1) Voice tracking
Yes, particularly with newbies or people who don't want to touch the buttons... We show them the mute button, and set the camera to auto-track ...
2) T.120 (NetMeeting or some other product through the codec)
Currently training Docs...
3) Text Chat over videoconferencing (T.140 or propreitary)
No, seems redundant, seems redundant
4) Snap/Still images
Our telemed folks use it for capturing images of patient wounds, for insertion in medical record and comparison at a later date.
5) Streaming directly from the codec (single unicast version that is almost impossible to capture and archive)
No

[Morgan81]

1) Never
2) Never
3) Never
4) Never
5) Never

"...But don't you DARE take them away from us, we like to know that it's there, just in case we need it."

Give me an 880 anyday...

[Bond]

Do people really use the following features? More than once?

1) Voice tracking
Just for fun, in each VC user training :)
The only room it really works is the TV studio with nearly non-reflecting walls (tracking to presets certainly)

2) T.120 (NetMeeting or some other product through the codec)
Yes, the only reason to use videoconferencing on the desktop is to collaborate. Picture phoning without is for executives and other guys working in the receive-only mode.

3) Text Chat over videoconferencing (T.140 or proprietary)
For TroubleShooting ("switch on your loudspeaker, please")
Not that useful elsewere

4) Snap/Still images
Yes , for basic interaction, mainly if T.120 is not functional (Sometimes we meet people not having T.120 installed, Still-Image-receiving works even on the worst configured systems)
Nice surprise possible, if the far end has dual monitor settops.
Who really wants to look on the own face all the time...

5) Streaming directly from the codec (single unicast version that is almost impossible to capture and archive)
No, useless. All realtime participants like to contribute. Lurkers want to see the *record* later. We usually archive the session by burning a DVD from the PC´s TV-out signal. Why sending a signal no one can archive ? Anyone know a codec able to stream the T.120 application sharing together with the video ?

[panzer]

I would say
No
nien
NON
uh-uh
Nyet

It's rumored that Brick Top's favorite means of dispatch involves: a stun-gun, a plastic bag, a roll of tape, and a pack of hungry pigs.

[edshuck]

Several years ago I worked in the Marketing Systems Engn at ROLM.

Some features will gather a following and for reasons not always obvious, remain with a product.

From the marketing view, "It is already in the doc"

From an engineering view, "It works" and just maybe, "we do this really convoluted special, so leave it in"

Then there is the specialist that knows a few of the obscure features and has fashioned a fire proof niche.

You can get them removed if you can show management that it is phreakable. If it is, DO NOT POST IT HERE.

[Vdub144]

1) Voice tracking
- Yes, especially track to presets. We also use track to push button mics in our more expensive integrated rooms.

2) T.120 (NetMeeting or some other product through the codec)
- No, but would like a "better" product in its place. I'm in K-12, and we run a mixed Mac/PC environment. Somewhat, we use LiveMeeting for this - but would rather have something less expensive/free tied to the codec.

3) Text Chat over videoconferencing (T.140 or propreitary)
- Typically external chat, or IM. But most certainly, especially in large multipoint events.

4) Snap/Still images
- Have used it (by uploading slides). Occasionally, will dial in to a friend's ViaVideo and leave "poses" on his screen. :)

5) Streaming directly from the codec (single unicast version that is almost impossible to capture and archive)
- Also very rarely ever works correctly - and doesn't work in multipoint modes - which is typically where I need it to. IF IT DID WORK, I would use it. I currently use an outside MCU that then feeds a streamstation off site.