GoToMeeting

The new GoToMeeting 4 is now 100% Mac-compatible, allowing Mac users to host a screen-sharing session or to receive presentation rights from a PC user.

Probably too long-awaited to have the impact and the benefits that this was planned for, the addition of VoIP to GoToMeeting is probably the second most interesting feature in this new release. Being this the first release of the voice feature for Citrix, one cannot expect it to be perfect from day one.

As a matter of fact in my own initial tests of GoToMeeting 4, I have had to give up on using the native G2M VoIP facility and switch back to Skype which offered much better audio quality and performance.

I would expect Citrix to refine and improve VoIP markedly in the coming weeks, but again my sensation is that this has been done too late and not with a killer solution.

G2M v.4, integrates like its previous version a full recording facility which is capable of memorizing both the visual sessions as well as the audio from your presentation.

The new GoToMeeting 4 sports a fully floating control panel which can now be easily moved to any position you want on the screen.

A new site service from Citrix makes it also easier to log in into any G2M-based presentation.

Annotation and markup have remained the same.

The new GoToMeeting 4 confirms its leadership as the best screen-sharing tool on the market. In My opinion, and after having tested hundreds of competitors remains unchanged: Citrix GoToMeeting has the best performance and screen-sharing quality you can find around.

has all of the basic features you may need to do a professional screen sharing session, including text chat, voice over IP, teleconferencing, invitations, recording and moderator tools.

The addition of VoIP offers greater collaboration opportunities to those who do not have access to a phone line or who didn't want or like to use Skype or similar tools in tandem with G2M.

The element which still offers the greatest opportunity for extending GoToMeeting competitive edge is the annotation and markup facility. This is an area that will see lots of growth in the near future across all of collaboration tools.

All in all, GoToMeeting consolidates its screen-sharing position as a leader offering a well-rounded, solid, reliable and highly performing tool for a reasonable price ($49/month for up to 15 users).

GoToMeeting Too Expensive ?

A month ago, I would have argued that for small groups or infrequent use for meetings among peers would not warrant the purchase of GoToMeeting. A combination of teleconferencing and tools that nearly everyone already has like Netmeeting would be sufficient. For large meetings, meetings with VIP's or meetings with important clients I would have said that it was the best at the best price however, I still didn't like the fact that it required a phone conference in addition to the online meeting.

Now it has all changed. A very good product has become a great product. GoToMeeting made some changes early in July that address its shortcomings head on.

First, they added VOiP. This eliminates the need for a second phone conference being used as long as the participants have microphones and speakers on their PC's or laptops. It is very easy to use and does not require any technical knowledge to implement.

Secondly, and this makes my graphics and design department ecstatic, they have added full support for Apple Macintosh. Now Mac users can organize meetings with the same ease as Windows users. With these new additions to the product while keeping its price below $50 a month is incredible. It is a tiny tiny fraction of the cost of our old conferencing system. Now we can put together a meeting and have everyone together and comfortable at their own workstations in under half an hour. There is nothing out there that comes close for the price.

That's right, GoToMeeting added VOIP standard to their products. This makes it just as good as its competitors at half the price.

Also, Apple Macintosh is now supported fully. With the old version a Mac user can only attend a meeting. Now you can organize and run a meeting on a Mac.

Try the free trial and see if it fits your needs.