GatherPlace is certainly feature-rich. It runs through the browser, so it can run on any operating system, PC, Mac or Linux. Unlike most other presentation applications, presenters can show their entire desktop, or identify only certain applications to be shared, allowing the presenter to run applications that the rest of the group cannot see.
Any guest can be designated a presenter, allowing the rest of the group to see their desktop, and any guest can be allowed remote control of the applications running on the presenter's desktop. This means that clients can test-run an application while you walk them through, or you can troubleshoot a client's computer while they watch.
Like most applications in this class, voice participation takes place via the phone. GatherPlace lets users set up conference calls for free.
GatherPlace is smart, offering two pricing packages - at the $29/month level users are allowed up to 5 guests and unlimited presentations. At the $49/month level users can invite up to 25 guests.
I haven't had a chance to extensively test-drive GatherPlace, but it's strengths over GoToMeeting are tempting me to switch.
- GatherPlace is platform-independant, GoToMeeting works only with PCs.
- The lag time with GatherPlace is much less than that of GoToMeeting.
- The ability to have up to 25 guests at $49/mo vs. GoToMeeting's 9 is also key.
We also found that GoToMeeting gets very expensive when you need 10 or more guests in a session. They sucker people in with a $50/month price and the rip them off when they need more capacity.
Posted by: Anonymous | September 5, 2006 5:51 AM | Permalink to Comment