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Interactive White
Boards
Interactive whiteboards created from traditional dry erase whiteboards using the eBeam System 3
October 05, 2005
By: Alice Osborn
Interactive capture devices, such as the
eBeam
System 3, turn dry erase boards into interactive
whiteboards that display lecture notes, drawings,
brainstorming and technical instructions. These display
features are especially useful during large web conferences
when remote users must share information posted to a
whiteboard. The eBeam System 3 attaches to the whiteboard,
which connects to a PC or laptop via a USB port or a
Bluetooth wireless system. The whiteboard images are then
captured and stored on the PC for future e-mails or
handouts.
After attaching the whiteboard receiver with suction cups
or magnetic clamps to the display board, the eBeam System 3
receiver can efficiently convert the writing surface of the
board into an interactive whiteboard. Special whiteboard
pens must be used to write on the whiteboard, which uses
infrared and ultrasound technology to interact with the
receiver.
Free screen sharing features
The eBeam System 3 is a widely regarded portable
whiteboard capture device that doesn't need a hosted third
party screen sharing solution, like the similar
Mimio Xi
system, to host live virtual presentations over the
Internet. The eBeam System 3 uses flip charts as part of its
interactive whiteboard package and allows the user to host
and participate on remote meetings for free. It is also easy
to set up and use, which is a boon for small and medium
sized businesses.
Again, the eBeam System 3 is unlike the Mimio Xi
interactive capture device which requires a hosted screen
sharing software solution, because the eBeam software hosts
a Web server that all conference participants can use for
free (limited to 25 Internet users or 10 intranet users). In
fact, remote users can download this screen sharing software
that features an embedded Web browser. As an additional
benefit, eBeam's server software (available for purchase)
permits up to 500 users and 50 simultaneous meetings.
CNET editors give the eBeam System 3 an excellent
review
The eBeam System 3 BT is a costly interactive capture
device solution, yet it delivers when writing to the
whiteboard, unlike the Mimio Xi's drawing capabilities,
which were a problem for the CNET reviewers. In fact, the
CNET editors in their
eBeam solution review gave an 8 out of 10 rating and
praised the eBeam server software that seamlessly integrates
with PC's, Mac's, Palm Pilots, and digital data projectors
for the whiteboard virtual presentations. Some of the
solution's weaker points included having a receiver that
requires an external power source, which doesn't provide any
built-in memory. Therefore, the eBeam System 3 is not a
"truly wireless" whiteboard capture device.
When choosing an interactive conferencing solution, small
and medium sized businesses will be satisfied with the eBeam
System 3 capture device because it converts any conventional
whiteboard into an interactive board that can cover an area
up to 12' x 4' (when using two eBeam System 3 receiver
units) which is vital for large virtual presentations. This
interactive solution can also use any digital data projector
to convert your whiteboard into a touchscreen (with the
included mouse insert), and its data conferencing
application for screen sharing over the Internet is free for
all eBeam users.
About the Author
Alice Osborn is a successful freelance writer and
contributor to Web-Conferencing-Zone.com. Your
definitive guide to
web conferencing services,
online collaboration software and
web meetings for business.
Also See:
[
Identifying and overcoming barriers to effective communication ]
[
Technology in the classroom articles -- using technology in education ]
[ Interactive
whiteboards for online data conferencing & collaboration ]
Home Page:
[ Web-Conferencing-Zone.com ]
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