Many of the resources that are available on the topic of desktop videoconferencing are manufacturer-specific and focused on how to support or implement their various products in your environment. We have gathered together some of the more relevant sources of information for these products, and have also gathered information on websites that discuss or review videoconferencing solutions.
General Information and Links
http://www.thinkofit.com/ provides a series of links and discussions related to many internet-based technologies, including videoconferencing applications. Their focus is primarily on consumer-grade products. They also offer consulting services, which the Telehealth Technology Assessment Center neither uses nor endorses.
http://www.vtctalk.com/ is a forum that allows users ask questions and provide feedback to one another on the topic of videoconferencing. They target a broad audience, including beginners and experienced technicians. It is frequented by users, vendors, and manufacturers.
http://www.speedtest.net/ and http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/ both provide a way for consumers to check the speed of their internet connection. These can be useful tools when assessing whether or not a patient or employee working from home have sufficient bandwidth for videoconferencing applications.
A home computer security guidance website is maintained at http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/.
Manufacturer-Specific Links
Apple
http://www.apple.com/server/macosx/docs/iChat_Service_Admin_v10.6.pdf provides information for administrators interested in setting up iChat for their own organization.
Cisco
Cisco provides links to a range of their “Maintain and Operate” guides for Jabber (previously Movi). Documents are available at http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps11328/prod_maintenance_guides_list.html.
Microsoft
While not reviewed as a part of this evaluation, Microsoft does provide a “Unified Communications” platform that has its own website at http://www.microsoft.com/uc/en/us/default.aspx.
Polycom
This document information related to getting started with Polycom CMA, while
this document provides a more in-depth look at setting up and managing a Polycom CMA system.
LifeSize
A user’s guide to the LifeSize Desktop application can be found here. (Updated 10/1/2013: now LifeSize Connections)
Oovoo
A Getting Started Guide is available for Oovoo, located at http://www3.oovoo.com/tutorial/print/tutorial_print.html, and provides aFrequently Asked Questions webpage at http://www.oovoo.com/HowToooVooItem.aspx?pname=HowToooVooVideoCalling.
Skype
A guide for administrators is provided at http://download.skype.com/share/business/guides/skype-it-administrators-guide.pdf, and http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/security/security-overview/ discusses an overview of relevant security topics for Skype.
Vidyo
An administrator’s guide for Vidyo Desktop is available at http://www.vidyo.com/documents/support/v2.0/VidyoConferencing_AdminGuide_v2.0.3.pdf.