New Year: New Toys

This week we will be testing a new product from vga2web. The product is a stand alone linux box that connects the the vga port of a laptop and transmits the vga signal to a web server using its ethernet/IP connection where it can be viewed by anyone with the correct url/password combo.

I'm not convinced this is a viable solution for trainers when compared to webex, livemeeting or any of the other hosted solutions out there (PS: Reviews of all coming soon!). The main difficulty I see in using vga2web for training is the requirement to have the actual linux box connected to the trainers laptop. On the service side, it offers none of the "nice to have" features such as "chat" and "raise your hand", etc. that are necessary when conducting a live "virtual classroom".
Nonetheless, vga2web is a one time cost item (until the linux pc eventually needs to be replaced?) compared to the per user/per minute fees charged by webex et al. This one time, up front cost may make sense for a small training company with only a few trainers who conduct the bulk of the classes.