Some days bring new toys
When you are a geek (self-admitted or not, recognized by all and sundry) you sometimes have days that are more interesting than others. We installed and tested some new gear today; a geek holiday, for sure.
The whole concept of videoconferences has taken serious root in our workplace, and I am the designated driver for one camera. My ability to refocus the camera around a discussion table is an art form, to be sure. None of the fancy “follow the voice” stuff for me, although I’ve used it and agree that it has its place (sometimes I just can’t be there). We have seven codecs on hand; no, make that eight, because the goal today was the training on our newest unit.
This one is new and cool. A full rack of modules, a ceiling mounted projector, a screen that raises on command, a remote camera head; all the bells and whistles. I will cede my chair to a new operator (I hope) and the “community” will have a third site available within a five kilometre circle. I’m sure we’ll find someone to call.
Testing can have its moments. Firewalls are not nice to video – ours eats sound, but that’s only a minor bump on the road. While testing from a third site, I mananged to connect one empty room with another that had a meeting going on. The people there seemed really surprised. All fun and games in a geeky world.
On a serious tack, we’ll be making life easier for others. Less travel, less stress. Go video, go.
