MS Office for years has provided hundreds of reusable COM (Microsoft Common Object Model) APIs. Web seminars require a powerful server that can capture, encode and encrypt several images a second and “serve” them back to hundreds or thousands of attendees at the same time. Images from the presenter’s desktop are captured, uploaded to a server and then downloaded by attendees who have access to the server feed. Images from the presenter’s computer are constantly uploaded to the server and continuously “served” to the attendees in a process much like streaming video. The Open Window project mentioned earlier involved projecting still and moving artwork, nature scenes and images of personal interest onto the walls of the rooms of patients undergoing stem cell transplants — a procedure that requires weeks of isolation for the patient in a sterile, windowless room. Whiteboards are shared virtual workspaces where presenters can cut and paste documents, graphs and images. If so, the program can tell presenters when their attendees’ attention drifted, and how long the distraction lasted. The presenter can also hand control of his desktop to any of the other attendees. Some Web seminar software programs include the ability to monitor users’ desktop behavior to see if they become distracted from the presentation and begin working on other documents.

Web-conferencing software includes VoIP audio to keep costs down and accessibility high. Using special Web-conferencing software that is integrated with existing e-mail, SMS (short-message systems) and calendar programs, the organizer sends an invitation by e-mail or SMS. Once all the attendees have logged on, the organizer designates a presenter who controls the shared desktop and any shared documents and applications. Attendees are able to share desktops, documents and applications because those files are temporarily “living” on the server where anyone with the right link and password can access them. Thankfully, most top retailers offer a 30-day money back guarantee, letting you return the item if it’s not right for you. It’s a classic question, often asked at chill hangouts between friends, office parties and even in the classroom, on occasion: Which historical figure, if given the opportunity, would make for the most interesting dinner guest? Using common applications such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe Flash, presenters can create dynamic graphic presentations enhanced by audio or even streaming video. Presenters can take advantage of real-time polls and attendee mood meters.

During a Web conference, each attendee is usually given an opportunity to speak, make comments and even take a turn as presenter. Attendees can see what the presenter sees, and the presenter can hand over his desktop to any other attendee. It’s also possible to share applications without even loading the software on each of the attendees’ computers. Most Web seminar software also includes tools to analyze the success of a presentation. Most Web seminar software includes built-in video capability to stream directly from a Webcam or digital video camera. There are also more expensive Web seminar services that help create professional-quality streaming or on-demand video presentations for large audiences. Now let’s talk about video conferencing and Webcasts. A potential disadvantage is that certain Web conferencing programs only work for Windows-based PCs. NASA’s internship programs provide training, mentoring, and career development opportunities while working with the best science, engineering, financial, information technology and business minds in the world. Web conferences and seminars have dozens of applications in the business and private sector: new product presentations, distance learning at colleges and universities, remote employee training, collaboration on editorial copy, legal documents, architectural drawings and more.

Web seminars — also called “Webinars” — replicate large group presentations, training classes and meetings online without losing the immediacy and interactivity of the face-to-face experience. The calendar program reminds both attendees and organizer that it’s time to join the group. Whether called a Web seminar, Webinar or Web conference, they are all online meetings where an organizer invites a list of attendees to listen or watch an online presentation by one or more presenters. And if so, the program can tell presenters when their attendees’ attention drifted and how long it lasted. For larger Web seminars, it’s typical for attendees to all be muted. Although it’s more common in small Web conference settings, a presenter can hand control of an open document to one of the attendees, who can then edit or change the document remotely. Audio control allows the presenter to mute or un-mute panelists and attendees as needed. Or by changing presenters, any of the other attendees can share his desktop with the rest of the group. During the seminar, desktop sharing allows the presenter to display items on his computer.