In addition, video conferencing allows users to see body language and facial expressions, providing a much richer communication experience.

What is Video Conferencing?

Video conferencing allows communicating via video and audio transmissions between two or more parties at different geographical locations instead of communicating solely through text-based messages.
A typical example would be a business teleconference where remote participants can interact as if they were all in the same room, rather than resorting to e-mails or conference calls. Video conference systems are also used in distance learning and collaboration and for entertainment purposes such as online gaming and entertainment chat rooms.

The Basic Components of a Video Conferencing System

A video conferencing system must transmit and receive data from remote locations. A typical system consists of:

1. A stable connection can be attained via broadband or fibre internet connection, although a fibre connection will provide faster transmission speeds and a more stable connection between two locations. It is also essential that participants have access to reliable power supplies as electrical outages can occur during video conferences, resulting in dropped connections and poor audio quality.

2. The monitor should be at least 17″ for optimal viewing experience and high resolution (a minimum of 1280 x 1024 pixels). In addition, participants need to have visibility from their monitor screens without being distracted by their surroundings. Therefore, it is best to either close the door or ask others not to interrupt while a video conference is in progress. The room where participants are conducting a video conference should also be properly lit with no bright lights behind participants that would create shadows on their faces from the camera’s perspective. Conversely, if there are too many windows and the sun shines brightly into the room, this could cause an unpleasant glare for all parties involved.

3. The conference phone must have high-quality speakers and microphones to hear each other even when speaking from different locations. In addition, speakerphones can help overcome echoes and background noise problems during a conference call. However, these issues may arise again depending on the type of conference phone used.

4. Other peripherals are video cameras, webcams, microphones, headsets, speakers, etc. These allow people to communicate more effectively. Participants can communicate by exchanging written messages during a video conference if the earlier equipment is unavailable. However, this method does not allow participants to see or hear each other in real-time and may cause delays, leading to misunderstandings between parties.

5. Free online video conferencing software allows for file sharing between different locations and interacting using whiteboards and instant messaging services. These programs also provide users with an indication of how much bandwidth they have at their disposal based on the quality of service (QoS), which can help improve the quality of a video conferencing session.

QoS allows users to control their video conferencing systems and ensure that they can transmit data without disruptions or issues arising due to bandwidth constraints.

Types of Video Conferencing

There are two types of video conferencing: point-to-point, which is used for one-on-one communications, and multipoint, where more than one party participates in a single conference call.
The latter is often used for business meetings involving multiple parties from different locations. In addition, businesses often use both types of communication during their meetings as specific issues may involve one or more participants at a given time, depending on the complexity level of the matter at hand.

How Does Video Conferencing Work?

Before any video conferencing can occur, all parties must connect across different networks (e.g., Intranet, Internet). The following steps describe how data is transferred between two users within a video conferencing session:

Data compression (coding)

Data compression occurs on both sides of the connection. Heavy-bandwidth media files such as high-definition videos are compressed into smaller chunks before being transmitted over the network(s).

This enables faster and more reliable transmission speeds during a video conference and storage for participants who wish to record or archive their participation. Lossless compression is generally used for video conferencing, while lossy compression (decoding) is often employed for audio.

Data transfer and compression (decoding)

The compressed data packets are transferred from one participant to another via the network(s). Each packet contains information about the sender, the receiver, start times, end times, etc. The decoder parses each packet to extract its contents before displaying them on-screen or playing them through speakers.

Once all of the packets have been received by both users, they can see and hear each other in real-time, allowing them to communicate directly with each other promptly.

Key Features of Video Conferencing Software

Screen sharing: Screen sharing is a common feature of video conferencing software and allows users to see what is on another participant’s desktop in real-time. This can be beneficial if one or more participants have trouble explaining or demonstrating something while others need to view it while speaking.

It may also be helpful when teaching students who will often benefit from seeing their instructor demonstrate how to complete a task step-by-step. The instructor can show them how it should be done and allow them to follow along with minimal distractions (e.g., not needing to look at their computer screen).

Simultaneous annotation: Simultaneous annotation is another feature found on most video conferencing software. It has the added benefit of providing all users with a more engaging experience. They are free to take notes on their computer using an annotation tool throughout the conference(s).

Each participant will have access to the same set of information displayed on-screen, which allows them to focus on what is being taught or discussed rather than write down every word spoken during meetings.

Chatbox: A chat box is exceptionally beneficial if multiple people are taking part in a video conference as it allows them to communicate directly with each other in real-time. In the case of large conferences, this is especially useful because it enables participants to ask questions or clarify information without interrupting anyone who may be speaking at that moment.

A chat box also allows users feedback on what was said to engage more thoroughly during a conference session by providing more thoughtful responses and asking follow-up questions if necessary effectively.

File sharing: File sharing allows all parties to easily upload any documents used throughout a conference(s) onto their computer screens. Then, if necessary, they can be saved to a cloud-based storage system for future reference.

This enables participants to work together on any projects regardless of where they are located geographically. It also ensures that all team members have access to the same information, allowing everyone to make informed decisions during the meeting(s).

Video call recording: The option of recording video calls is another useful feature found within most software applications because it ensures users have access to all recordings indefinitely. Furthermore, this means that anyone who missed an important conference or had another reason they couldn’t participate in conversations can still access the information afterward.

This is especially useful for managers responsible for overseeing employees within their department, as it allows them to ensure everyone is completing tasks correctly and promptly.

Noise cancellation: Noise cancellation is another common feature found on most video conferencing software applications. It enables participants to communicate more effectively during conferences/meetings without background noise interfering with conversation flow.

It also helps eliminate echo feedback which can occur when multiple speakers are talking simultaneously. Although this may seem at first, this technology filters out any unwanted or unnecessary noise that can otherwise create distractions for all users, which helps them focus more on the information discussed.

Device switching: Finally, one of the most helpful features found within video conferencing software is an option to switch between different devices such as webcams, smartphones, and tablets. This allows participants to communicate with each other even if they only have access to a single device at that given moment in time(s).

Rather than having to wait until they’re done using their current device before being able to join conversations, they are free to jump back into conversations at any time.

This is important because it allows users to combine communication methods depending on what device they have access to, ensuring that all participants are involved during conference/meeting sessions.

Conclusion

Overall, video conferencing software is incredibly beneficial because it enables users to communicate more effectively during meetings or conferences. Furthermore, it allows them to provide immediate feedback on what they heard so that the flow of the conversation is well-structured rather than coinciding.
Additionally, recording conference sessions means that anyone who had to miss proceedings due to unforeseen circumstances can still access recordings afterward. This is extremely helpful for all team members, particularly managers responsible for overseeing employees within their department, as it ensures everyone is completing tasks correctly and promptly.
Finally, application features that allow devices to be switched between help ensure all participants can always participate in conference/meeting sessions no matter how many devices they have access to at any given moment in time(s).

The post What You Need to Know About Video Conferencing? appeared first on Web Updates Daily.

Stripe: PCI Compliant

A PCI Compliant payment processor is used by Calendly for encryption and storing details of credit/debit cards known as Stripe. Calendly uses Stripe to get the information of your credit or debit card but even, so it makes sure that all of this information does not reach any of the servers of Calendly.

Calendly customer best practices

Calendly uses some form of authorization called OAuth authentication along with Office365 and Google Calendar in order to refrain from collection third-party passwords.
There are three methods of encrypting data by Calendly here:
First, data encryption is done through transit using TLS SHA-256 with RSA Encryption to join all connections from the browser to the Calendly platform.
When the data is written to the disk, it is encrypted there and then as well.
Calendly employees cannot access any passwords as the passwords are stored as salted password hashes.

Is Calendly GDPR compliant?

Yes, Calendly is General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Compliant. Calendly admits and recognizes how important standards of incorporation are that are set forward by GDPR and puts these data practices into usage to ensure that their customers feel safe, secure, and confident when they use Calendly no matter where they are from, whether in Europe or business firms that make use of Calendly with European customers. 

Nevertheless, Calendly has also developed new and intriguing features, modified existing functions, and established more documentation related to their hard work and best efforts.

GDPR, on the other hand, is a large regulation. So here, Calendly has crafted a sincere effort to be GDPR Compliant even now as we speak and for developments that are to come along in the future.

There are a few things that Calendly has changed in their security features that are compliant with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in regards to the new data protection rules for European customers that had come into effect on May 25, 2018, and have also been updated their Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. However, it won’t affect the users in using Calendly the same way that they did. Here are some of them:

More simplicity and transparency of data: In the Calendly platform, they have made the language easier with regards to the details that they collect from their customers and how they use it, together with choice explanations for the control of private information.

GDPR: General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) provides citizens of EU further choices, control, and rights with regards to their data and how it’s put forward and used. It provides sources and guidelines for the gathering and undergoing of data for businesses. They have a personalized Data Processing Addendum that contemplates new GDPR standards and describes how they hold themselves to these standards when looked at from a business point of view.

Suppose you want to consolidate Calendly to give invitee details with a different application. In that case, they assign invitees in GDPR countries as “transactional contacts” so that details or information is only used to send information about shipments, messages, and orders and likewise if they unambiguously use future emails that are related to marketing.

Calendly makes sure that each and every event that you schedule is successful. If in case you do experience some email spam or unnecessary scheduled events, you can always report it to the Calendly team for them to look into it and further investigate the issue. Moreover, when a schedule is booked with you by someone, you can always reschedule, cancel, or even contact Calendly in order to report it. Calendly, then, in turn, uses that report to reduce spam and unwanted booking and learn how to make things easier for the user and how to prevent such things from occurring just so the person using Calendly feels safe and secure while using Calendly for booking meetings.

Here are a few tips to stay out of trouble and avoid unnecessary or fraudulent bookings for your safety and security:

• You can always set your date range of availability to set a specified range for how an invitee can book an appointment or event in the distant future. This ensures you don’t encounter any unnecessary bookings in your calendar while keeping a close eye on your close-by events.
• For sharing meetings that only occur once with invitees, you can create and share single-use links. You can also think about hiding events from landing pages for personal events.
• If, for instance, you have a link in an email signature, you need to take care and be vigilant. Think about deleting this while you send an email to the people you’re booking an even with.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Calendly is by far the best app if you want easy appointment, meeting and event schedule. Thou, there are other best alternative to Calendly too but as per user experience,  It reduces the exhausting and nerve-wracking process of sending emails back and forth. Although it is used extensively and in popular demand, users or first-timers would mainly like to know whether it is safe to use such a powerful tool for their business or personal meetups. I hope this article helped you understand just how safe and secure Calendly is and how much care Calendly takes for customer satisfaction and security awareness.

The post Is Calendly safe? Your question answered appeared first on Web Updates Daily.

However, not everyone is privileged to talk in-person, especially in this pandemic. This is where web conference software bridges the gap.

Particularly, for businesses functioning globally, online meetings are a savior in terms of money, travel, and effort.

Here are five FREE Web conference software that is perfect for you to facilitate a smooth virtual meeting.

FreeConference

As the name suggests, FreeConference offers unlimited HD audio conferencing with absolutely free screen sharing facilities for all its users. 

It is the most recognized web conference software by more than 8million businesses around the world. 

Its call management features never allow you to miss an international client call over your head.

The Supreme features of FreeConference include

• 79 in-country dial in-numbers to connect to people around the world.
• Two-way audio and video with HD call recording facilities.
• Consolidated billing and activated call summaries to review your call logs.
• 24/7 customer support with a mobile application.
• Calendar integrations to block your appointment schedule.

Adobe Connect

Adobe Connect acts as a virtual classroom that provides solutions for rapid training regardless of the location. 

It is a multipurpose web conference software that is suitable for learning, webinars, and professional meetings.

Its customizable boards and layouts personalize all your needs. It leverages the presenters to prep behind the scene during a live session.

The Supreme features of Adobe Connect include

• Multiple chat pods, polls, quizzes, simulations to spice up your virtual conversations.
• Agenda management tabs to conduct a well-organized meeting.
• Private text chat to converse with specific team members in a team meeting.
• Whiteboard and screen share to present your ideas in an elusive way.
• The basic version is FREE with multi-layered security.

Ant Media Server

Are you searching for good live streaming web conference software? Ant Media Server presents an adaptive WebRTC based Ultra Low Latency Video Streaming for all its users.

Due to this feature, none of your virtual meetings has the off sync in audio and video. It is a popular feature in gaming applications to coordinate with team members.

Since it has less than 0.5 seconds, you don’t feel the lag in audio interrupting your conversations.

The Supreme features of Ant Media Server include

• Simulations and Games to facilitate better virtual conversations.
• Desk to Desk calls to connect with concerned professionals sooner.
• Follow-up and breakout meetings into small sessions.
• Cloud-based mobile accessibility and absolutely FREE.
• Auto-scaling to channelize to a wide number of audiences.

Blizz

Blizz is a fast web conference software that connects and communicates with your team members spread globally. 

You can connect to a maximum of 300 people at a time either audio or video conferencing call.

You can instantly start and run a webinar or a meeting with just a click.

The supreme features of Bliss are

• VoIP calling to connect all over the world.
• Invite through a contact feature to link to the web call instantly.
• Discussion trackers to synchronize your chat conversations.
• Document the meeting for future references.
• Crystal clear video streaming with no interruption. 

GoToMeeting

GoToMeeting is an intuitive web conference software that is end-end encrypted with your mobile, desktop, and browser. 

It is ideal for both small medium and large businesses. 

You will get a GoToMeeting account accessibility to schedule, invite and manage the entire meeting in the cloud.

The supreme features of GoToMeeting are

• Accommodate up to 3000 participants.
• Easy setup and navigation tools are understandable even by a layman.
• 256 bit AES and TLS encryption standard security protocols to secure your interactions.
• Transmit data and record conversations.
• The basic plan accommodates 150 people. 

The Bottomline

When you look into all these web conference software, you will get an idea of the basic and unique features. Based on these criteria, you can choose the ideal one for your business or personal virtual meetings.

The post 5 FREE Web Conference Software for your online meetings appeared first on Web Updates Daily.