Video Teleconferencing

Lab Exercise 14: Video Teleconferencing

The purpose of this lab exercise was to test and evaluate Yahoo, Google, and Skype video chat platforms for usability. We were to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each service and compare the quality of service. I did not have a Yahoo or Google account so I had to create an account for the purpose of this assignment. To use video chat you simply log in as a user and select the messenger option. You can then invite and add people to join your call. This was a fun assignment and allowed everyone in class to interact with each other via voice calling. A microphone and headphones was necessary. We were unable to work with the video teleconferencing, but we were able to work with the voice call capabilities.

Skype
Skype was my favorite service for voice chatting. Skype offered conference calling and allowed you to talk with many people at the same time. I was able to add everyone in class to my contact list and was invited to a conference call in which we could all hear each other and converse with each other. Skype also offered instant messaging and other features such as games. My classmates and I played Bingo on Skype and were able to talk to each other through the conference call. Anyone can call anyone who has a Skype account, you simply press answer, and you will automatically be on the line. With Skype I was able to hear the other line very clearly with no problems at all. This was a very convenient way to conference call other people. Skype offers file sharing as well which is also another advantage to using Skype over the other software.

Google
Google Talk had a disadvantage because it only works between two users. Google Talk does not offer the option of conference calling so this is definitely a weakness to the software. The quality of the voice calls was good but not nearly as good as Skype. Personally, I would not use Google Talk again because I did not like the fact that it does not offer conference calling. I would not recommend this software to businesses or clients.

YahooYahoo Messenger is really similar to Google Talk. Anyone with a username can log on to Yahoo Messenger and begin talking with any of their contacts. Me, Taylor, and Tim were able to voice call each other at the same time. However, the quality of the voice calls was not that good. Google Talk and Skype were better quality than Yahoo. The call was not as clear and had a lot of static. Yahoo can also make and receive calls from landlines.

Final SummaryIn conclusion, Skype is the best software compared to the other two software options. I would definitely use Skype again to do voice calls. I like the advantage it has of being able to also have the option of video conferencing if a web camera is available. Skype seems like a beneficial software for businesses and client interaction. It is a great way of communication, and a very much improved way of technological communication.