Best Tool for Conferencing with Virtual Teams
by Jerane Alleyne · in General Discussion · 05/12/2001 (2:19 am) · 13 replies
I was wondering, with many of us who are intent on making games, and have half their members across the country, or across the ocean, what would be considered the best tool for communicating real time, staging chats, transferring files on the spot, and so on?
For example, my team...although we have a forum up, we send email...and the app we use to talk mostly is ICQ. It has most of what we need, and it free :), but I'm not so sure as to its security, with what happened a while ago with a CEO of some company whose name escapes me, having his ICQ conversation posted on the Web(!). Sooo, I was wondering if anyone else, in the same boat we are in, uses something different. One of our Team members introduced me to Groove (www.groove.net). It seems like a worthwhile app, and it has a lot of features that we can use. The biggest drawback is that its 50 bucks per user! Although it affordable, not everyone is gonna be willing to shell out that money for something they might not use more than a few times.
I do like ICQ due to its being fairly easy, its functions, and so many of us use it...but its not the most secure way of communicating (but then again, what is?? :). Anyway, does anyone else have any suggestions as to what would be another alternative, or something that they use?
Thanks!
For example, my team...although we have a forum up, we send email...and the app we use to talk mostly is ICQ. It has most of what we need, and it free :), but I'm not so sure as to its security, with what happened a while ago with a CEO of some company whose name escapes me, having his ICQ conversation posted on the Web(!). Sooo, I was wondering if anyone else, in the same boat we are in, uses something different. One of our Team members introduced me to Groove (www.groove.net). It seems like a worthwhile app, and it has a lot of features that we can use. The biggest drawback is that its 50 bucks per user! Although it affordable, not everyone is gonna be willing to shell out that money for something they might not use more than a few times.
I do like ICQ due to its being fairly easy, its functions, and so many of us use it...but its not the most secure way of communicating (but then again, what is?? :). Anyway, does anyone else have any suggestions as to what would be another alternative, or something that they use?
Thanks!
#2
We currently use the new Yahoo messenger with the Net2phone (voice over IP). We have a CVS server to share source code, Lots of e-mail and periodic phone calls. We also have a private forum set up here on GG.
--Rick
05/13/2001 (8:45 am)
We tried out Groove for a while with mixed success. Groove has a great feature set for virtual development teams. Tim and I are on DSL's which use NAT (network address translation) so we could not do direct peer to peer connections and had to use the Groove servers which ended up being painfully slow. Yes we could have added routes but our IP's chance too frequently :( If anyone has tried their Preview Edition using direct peer-to-peer connections I would like to here about your experience.We currently use the new Yahoo messenger with the Net2phone (voice over IP). We have a CVS server to share source code, Lots of e-mail and periodic phone calls. We also have a private forum set up here on GG.
--Rick
#3
The point is that this technology is available for any kind of development not just music. However the program I just described costs a monthly fee the idea is a good one.
I however use Icq and once my project is out of the development stage I intend on using IRC (Internet Relay Chat) to communicate with my team.
Doing something like running an Eggdrop (bot/AI) in the channel your team uses that can automatically send the user updated documents or source code and other things like that.
I would also choose IRC because of the DCC (sending and recieving files from another user) and PM (Private Messaging) this allows the team to talk openly, send files to eachother and talk person to person.
I would like to see a form of IRC that uses peer to peer technology like the newer napster clones (KaZaA, iMesh etc.) because this would be a quicker relay and could possibly mean that no one tracks my messaging.
Hope that helped =)
- ian wheat
10/31/2001 (7:13 pm)
I saw a thing on TechTV the other day about how some company developed a program that lets musicians send sections of a song or even one track (one instrument/vocal recording that will be added to the song (one of many)) and send it to a server then each person working on that project automatically gets an update that merges locally (on his/her computer) with his current modifications then he/she can send the updated version to the server.The point is that this technology is available for any kind of development not just music. However the program I just described costs a monthly fee the idea is a good one.
I however use Icq and once my project is out of the development stage I intend on using IRC (Internet Relay Chat) to communicate with my team.
Doing something like running an Eggdrop (bot/AI) in the channel your team uses that can automatically send the user updated documents or source code and other things like that.
I would also choose IRC because of the DCC (sending and recieving files from another user) and PM (Private Messaging) this allows the team to talk openly, send files to eachother and talk person to person.
I would like to see a form of IRC that uses peer to peer technology like the newer napster clones (KaZaA, iMesh etc.) because this would be a quicker relay and could possibly mean that no one tracks my messaging.
Hope that helped =)
- ian wheat
#4
Its unlikely that anyone with access to your text would be bothered to use it.
Phil.
11/01/2001 (1:55 am)
A mix of IRC and ICQ is usually enough. I wouldnt worry about security, if you are doing something like typing plaintext to each other, your NEVER going to be secure.Its unlikely that anyone with access to your text would be bothered to use it.
Phil.
#5
Another one Im looking at is called Odigo. (www.odigo.org). WebAttack.com says adware, but I haven't tried it out yet. It doesn't outright say how secure it is, but it's compatible with ICQ, AOL IM, and Yahoo! IM, and the skin looks pretty funky. Anyways, worth a look.
- deRost
11/01/2001 (10:08 am)
I just downloaded Razius Express 3.0 (www.mercuryprime.com) though I haven't installed it yet. It supports secure text messaging and file transfer. Apparently even integrates PGP keys and a few other encryption methods. It supports conferencing, etc. Looks promising to me, and it's freeware. WebAttack.com gave it 5/5 stars.Another one Im looking at is called Odigo. (www.odigo.org). WebAttack.com says adware, but I haven't tried it out yet. It doesn't outright say how secure it is, but it's compatible with ICQ, AOL IM, and Yahoo! IM, and the skin looks pretty funky. Anyways, worth a look.
- deRost
#6
We also have a central server machine running Windows 2000 Server and Terminal Services, which allows the developers to easily access the central Visual SourceSafe source control system, and maintain other documentation/files on the server. Finally, we use Microsoft Project to build and maintain our project plans. We are investigating the use of MS Project's team facilities for automatically reporting task status and project changes via email. Of course W2K, SS, and Project all cost money but they integrate well and do their job well.
Justin Mette
21-6 Productions
11/24/2001 (9:50 am)
For those of you who don't hate Microsoft - they do actually produce some good products for virtual teams. The team at 21-6 Productions uses Windows/MSN Messenger for Instant Messenging, Exchanging Files, Two-Way Voice Conversations, Application Sharing, and Whiteboarding (the latest version supports the second two features). We use Game Voice for voice conferences with more than two people. Both of these products are free.We also have a central server machine running Windows 2000 Server and Terminal Services, which allows the developers to easily access the central Visual SourceSafe source control system, and maintain other documentation/files on the server. Finally, we use Microsoft Project to build and maintain our project plans. We are investigating the use of MS Project's team facilities for automatically reporting task status and project changes via email. Of course W2K, SS, and Project all cost money but they integrate well and do their job well.
Justin Mette
21-6 Productions
#7
Ryan
11/24/2001 (1:02 pm)
AIM. though, i must confess, the rest of my team lives on campus and i see them daily. i dont see why IM/IRC wouldnt be good enough. An idea though: if you needed one person to address a group of people, set up a private web cam, have everyone log on to that, then have the group IM that and (s)he can address questions over the cam... I know i use my hands alot (and they help with the explanation... or, so i assume) Just my $.02 (that cuts into my budget... College sucks, money wise :)Ryan
#8
Hotline allows for chat (both a public chat and as many privates ones as you wish), private messaging between members, file hosting, news posting, and other fun stuff. Files that have been partially uploaded or downloaded can be resumed. It's a really great program, and it's free! (it previously had ads, but these are gone since hotline comm. went out of business) Downsides? The server is hosted on someone's computer...that means they need a decent connection and their computer on for most of the day (or at least when you need to meet). Hotline is iffy with Mac OS X, but I hear people are working on a version that is compatible with OS X.
-Evan
11/24/2001 (4:25 pm)
I'd have to say that Hotline is my favorite app for this sort of thing. While hotline communications IS going out of business, you can still get hotline at www.bigredh.com.Hotline allows for chat (both a public chat and as many privates ones as you wish), private messaging between members, file hosting, news posting, and other fun stuff. Files that have been partially uploaded or downloaded can be resumed. It's a really great program, and it's free! (it previously had ads, but these are gone since hotline comm. went out of business) Downsides? The server is hosted on someone's computer...that means they need a decent connection and their computer on for most of the day (or at least when you need to meet). Hotline is iffy with Mac OS X, but I hear people are working on a version that is compatible with OS X.
-Evan
#9
After hearing about what happened to theglobe.com with ICQ, I've been leery about using it for anything really serious.
One of our team members mentioned using a MUD, WinMOO in particular. I'm trying to find more info on it myself. Ever use this thing?
11/24/2001 (11:24 pm)
That's funny! I just picked up Hotline while looking for something to use, and I like it :)After hearing about what happened to theglobe.com with ICQ, I've been leery about using it for anything really serious.
One of our team members mentioned using a MUD, WinMOO in particular. I'm trying to find more info on it myself. Ever use this thing?
#10
1. Instant Communication
2. Central Repository
3. Central Calander
4. Forum like access
5. Ease
#5 Is interesting. Ease isn't so much how pretty the web page is or how easy it is to use, but how much it integrates with daily routine (for me anyway). And so Egroups proved the best way to manage my team. The instant communication was handled by a combination of AIM and ICQ, for quick side conversations, etc. The Central Repository was handled on egroups for things like design docs (an FTP was later used for actual game files, but FTP space is easy enough to find). The Central Calander was a savior. We could track each others progress and allowed us to visualize our milestones. The Forum like access was taken care of by the actual mailing list. This is the best part. Everyone checks their email, and most never check web pages hourly. The mailing list seamlessly brought the team together. The calander automagically put out a letter when an event was coming up. Letters about files and other things. It really helped to put everything in one place. Now that egroups is owned by yahoo its gone a little downhill (requiring you to use a yahoo email account), but its still viable. Source forge is also a great tool. I suggested for the GG guys to offer a service such as these at their inception. I imagine however that they are quite busy. The point is not to rule out some web based services, as they are a great complement to instant messaging services, and are free.
11/28/2001 (10:24 am)
When managing my team I had a few simple requirements:1. Instant Communication
2. Central Repository
3. Central Calander
4. Forum like access
5. Ease
#5 Is interesting. Ease isn't so much how pretty the web page is or how easy it is to use, but how much it integrates with daily routine (for me anyway). And so Egroups proved the best way to manage my team. The instant communication was handled by a combination of AIM and ICQ, for quick side conversations, etc. The Central Repository was handled on egroups for things like design docs (an FTP was later used for actual game files, but FTP space is easy enough to find). The Central Calander was a savior. We could track each others progress and allowed us to visualize our milestones. The Forum like access was taken care of by the actual mailing list. This is the best part. Everyone checks their email, and most never check web pages hourly. The mailing list seamlessly brought the team together. The calander automagically put out a letter when an event was coming up. Letters about files and other things. It really helped to put everything in one place. Now that egroups is owned by yahoo its gone a little downhill (requiring you to use a yahoo email account), but its still viable. Source forge is also a great tool. I suggested for the GG guys to offer a service such as these at their inception. I imagine however that they are quite busy. The point is not to rule out some web based services, as they are a great complement to instant messaging services, and are free.
#11
Something else you could do is setup a VPN server on one end and allow your team to connect to that. A secure VPN connection can be created that would be virtually transparent to the end user. This is a great feature if you want to give your team members client IP addresses that allow them to connect to services as if they were local clients.
02/27/2002 (6:14 am)
At Futureworks Studios we use a nice combination of various services. We run our own server (Linux, WindowsNT & Windows2000) so we have full control over these services. For all our project management and scheduling we use phpGroupWare(which we run on the Linux server). This is a great PHP scripted server application that runs on Apache with PHP4+MySQL and I believe IIS server with PHP4+MySQL. It allows a central place to view CVS repositories, schedule meetings, view e-mail, and track project hours. For most communication we use IRC and ICQ. All meetings for the time being are conducted on IRC. We are looking at implementing our own jabber server for the entire team which would be inacessible to the rest of the world. Right now though IRC seems to work well for most 'team' communication. There is also a voice program I almost forgot to mention. It works with ICQ and it's called Rave2. It even allows encrypted calls; after you register it that is. Registration for Rave 2 is $15 USD.Something else you could do is setup a VPN server on one end and allow your team to connect to that. A secure VPN connection can be created that would be virtually transparent to the end user. This is a great feature if you want to give your team members client IP addresses that allow them to connect to services as if they were local clients.
#12
02/27/2002 (6:32 am)
Can any of these tools be seamlessly integrated into another programm or application ... or game ?
#13
check it out...
02/27/2002 (6:59 am)
@keneth, the icq protcol is open, so you can code your own application that uses the icq protocol... so you could code it inside your game, also there's a library which makes icq coding much simpler, its called "icqlib" and was made by the developers of kICQcheck it out...
Torque Owner Jerane Alleyne
Default Studio Name
I hope someone can answer this... :)