Application Sharing:
This is an option of videoconferencing which allows multiple people at a number of sites to work on the same document in the same program together.
Bandwidth:
This is the amount of data that is actually being sent down the telephone/ISDN line. This is measured in Kbps.
Bridge/Bridging:
A tool which links up 3 or more video conference sites. The bridge is located in Brisbane and all sites must link with the bridge in order to speak to each other. Telephone sites can also be linked in with a video conference bridge. This process is similar to booking a teleconference with 3 or more phones.
Compressed Video:
This is the type of video conference system which the WJN is using. The term describes the process for transferring the image from one computer to another - the image is compressed and sent down the telephone line then expanded at the other end.
Continuous Presence:
This is a type of bridged videoconference whereby the screen is broken up into a number of windows (one window per site) and all sites are shown for the entire meeting. This is best for small meetings of less than six people.
Desktop/PC Videoconferencing:
The PC stands for Personal Computer - this is a videoconferencing system which is part of the computer. A smaller unit than a room system is usually best with up to 3 people sharing one camera.
File Sharing:
An option of videoconferencing, like application sharing, this is working on the same document at the same time while on different sites.
File Transfer:
This is an option of both videoconferencing and E-mail. It allows you to transfer a document from one computer to another.
Group systems/Room System/Swift Site:
This is a larger version of videoconferencing system. The camera is larger and can move so as to take in the whole room. The system is usually linked to a TV rather than a computer.
Internet:
A world wide network of computer systems using a common language which operates the world wide web, Internet, Inter-relay chat and many other systems.
ISDN Line:
ISDN Stands for Integrated Services Digital Network which is actually a form of super telephone line. A normal (city) phone operates at about 50 Kbps, where an ISDN line operates at over 128 Kbps. Therefore a lot more information is able to be transferred along the telephone line including video images as well as voice. An ISDN line has to be installed separately to a normal telephone line and costs more to rent and operate.
ISP:
ISP stands for Internet Service Provider. This is a business which your computer dials into to link up to the Internet.
Kbps:
This stands for Kilobits Per Second and is the measure of data being transferred down a telephone/ISDN line.
Multi-Point:
The linking up of 3 or more video conference sites to hold a meeting. Due to the number of systems involved a Bridge is required.
On-Ramp:
On-ramp is another name for an ISDN line. It is how Telstra markets its ISDN line products.
Picture Tel Live 200:
Product name of the video conference program.
Point to Point:
The linking up of 2 video conference sites. Does not require a bridge, the first computer rings straight to the other.
Voiced Switched:
This is a type of bridged videoconference whereby the image on the screen changes to the person talking. There is usually a one second delay before the image changes. This is to stop the image jumping too much.
Whiteboard:
This is an option of videoconferencing which looks like a sketch pad. Allows you to draw diagrams which can be seen and worked on from different sites.