omNovia doesn’t put out formal software releases with version numbers. Instead, they just slip new features into production every so often, which means I always seem to be playing catch-up with new functionality. They announced three new enhancements this week.
AV Remote Control gives a webinar moderator control over the webcam and microphone of other presenters. The moderator can adjust video quality or microphone volume, and can instantly kill the video or audio feed from a given presenter. I like this for two reasons. The more dramatic and entertaining scenario is the classic one where a presenter does not realize s/he is broadcasting live. As they start trash talking someone or walk out of their hotel bathroom with their robe hanging open, the moderator can act quickly and unilaterally. Fortunately that doesn’t happen too often. Far more commonly, the moderator may want to balance volumes across several presenters. Being able to adjust their microphone controls yourself is easier than teaching them where to look and having them try different settings while you tell them “A bit more, no… a bit less.”
In a similar vein, they made it a little easier to grant presentation controls to attendees in a web meeting. The moderator can choose whether to broadcast an attendee’s microphone, webcam, or give them presenter utilities such as showing their desktop or uploading documents.
And finally, they added an ability to associate a biography with a registered user. When setting up accounts for your presenters (or afterwards), you can type in biographical text or link to an existing web page with their information. Attendees can click on the presenter’s name in the participants list and choose to see that person’s biography. Moderators can also choose to show the biography to all attendees within the session.
I’m all for features that make my life easier as a webinar moderator, so these additions are very welcome!
