Technical Rotary (RotoTechie) No 2, October 10, 2012

TECHNICALLY, ROTARY

(“RotoTechie” No. 2)

As Children, Weren’t We Taught to Share?

Now we can communicate and be seen (Video Conferencing, see, RotoTechie No. 1)) and tie together as many of us as we need to talk things through.  What if we could see what we are talking about?  Some of us don’t learn or understand by hearing, we have to see it. 

Computer Screen Sharing:

“I have a cool design that is just perfect to correct your problem,” she said.  I thought, yeah, well, “Really cool” to her may be really hideous and unworkable to me.  Since she is half my age, and 4 time zones away.  After all, I have not exactly followed the typical fashion line in my life, in clothes or building layouts or furnishings.  So I said, “That’s nice to hear,” in as flat a tone as possible.  So she said, “You want to see it, now?”  “You’re in Kihei, I am in Colorado, I am not ready to sign off on something I haven’t seen.”  And she said “Join.me,” although I am not sure that is what I heard.  So after a pause, with a slight chuckle, she said, “I sent you the link, I use Join.me.”  (http://www.join.me.)

What is it?  It is a “free” screen sharing system that allows up to 250 viewers at the same time of the computer screen in front of you (or somewhere else that needs to be seen). 

What does it cost?  You need a computer or smart phone or tablet with the correct application “App.”  Other than that, the free version is “Free,” and the collaborative version is free for up to 4 “team members.”  (For the Free version you use the “Basic” button to start.  There is a “pro” version, too, that has more features and a cost.)

What can you do with it?  You can let up to 250 people at a time see the same thing you are working through on the screen of your computer.  You can make changes, update screens, provide any visual information you can display on your computer monitor or smart phone, and they see it.  (YouTube Demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wH4LXzswf4)

Why would you want it?  You may need to run a power-point from a meeting.  You may need to train someone on opening the container of crutches in Mombasa.  You may need to show something important (like how did you find that on the District Website?).  How about pictures of your hail damaged roof?  How about your grand-child in the mud with the frog?  I think you get the idea.  Sometimes People need to see what you are talking about.  It’s easy if you are together (well maybe less so with 250 people), but it’s hard if you’re not all in the room.

We were able to see the new drawings for repairing a water leak.  We didn’t see a photo from the manufacturer’s advertising, but from the contractor’s phone a video of the stocks on hand and other projects, and were able to see the “cool” quality of the materials.  It made the decision making a lot easier.

 Can we make some of our meetings open online Join.me?  Those traveling or home bound could participate in a Club Assembly.  It’s not our Fathers or Grandfathers Rotary meeting, but, could it work?    T.J Carney