U of T updates Web conferencing tool

IT managers in search of software that broadcasts conferences and seminars over the Web may also like the cost benefit of a Canadian-developed open source tool that attempts to combine fragmented multimedia technologies into one platform.

ePresence Interactive Media, developed by the University of Toronto's Knowledge Media Design Institute (KMDI) for the past seven years, is a Webcasting, conferencing and rich media publishing tool that just launched version 4.0.

Among the new functionality is ePresenceTV, a user portal where visitors can share their presentations much like on YouTube, and the ability to host small interactive Web conferences with desktop sharing.

Many such multimedia technologies that exist are predominantly proprietary, and are available as separate tools with distinct functions, said Ron Baecker, project director and professor at the University's department of computer science. "I didn't think they all had to be different. I thought you could bring them together into one framework."

Besides the opportunity to develop an open source tool with amalgamated functions, the realization that multimedia is essential to remote communication was another reason behind the ePresence initiative, said Baecker.

The development of the tool is tied to the history of KMDI, which needed to help its staff members convene across what was a "virtual institution", said Kelly Rankin, ePresence business manager. "It was out of a need to keep a group of people connected, and then from there it just grew."

The open source community was formed when people outside of KMDI expressed interest in using a similar tool. The software has been developed for the past seven years primarily by KMDI chief architect, Peter Wolf.

In keeping with the community's open approach, the new functionalities in version 4.0 were borne, in part, from the needs expressed by users, said Rankin. ePresenceTV, in particular, reflects the desire by users to share their creative content on one platform.

"The whole notion of having open source and putting it out there to the community is also taking feedback and constructive comments," she said.

Users of the software span across the globe in public and private institutions, and can download the tool for free or even purchase a membership that provides technical support and on-site training.