Chances are you’ve attended lots of online meetings that used WebEx (Cisco) or GoToMeeting, or Microsoft Live Meeting. Chances are you probably think they all are less than optimal, but basically adequate in what they offer you. If you’ve ever had to foot the bill for these services, you probably think they seem to be overpriced, considering some of the functionality other web based applications (e.g. Skype) give you at a low cost. It’s no surprise that someone has finally stepped to the plate and is going to attempt to provide better-or-equal functionality at a lower price, and still feels like they can make a decent margin. That somebody is DimDim. Better than low-cost is free, and DimDim also has a free offering; and not a trial, a straight-up
free offering. DimDim has a very “contemporary” interface that has everything you need in a web meeting application, including video conferencing capabilities. I found the application pretty easy to learn; I only spent about 10 minutes using it before I felt like I knew how to “find” everything.
Additionally, I’ve been really impresseed with their customer service. After Tweeting about problems I was having sharing an all Flash site on DimDim, Kevin reached out to me and helped me realize I merely needed to change how I was sharing the site. The response from Kevin shows DimDim’s dedication to providing a product that is better than the current offerings.
Maybe the biggest compliment I can give DimDim is this. I have never been involuntarily disconnected from a meeting in DimDim while on my MacBook; I have been on every Cisco Unified MeetingPlace meeting I have attended in the last several months. Likewise, I have been booted off GoToMeeting and WebEx meetings numerous times over the years. I hope I didn’t just jinx DimDim, because nothing can be more detrimental to the flow of a good meeting like disruptions in the call or online meeting application.
If you ever have to conduct online meetings, definitely give DimDim a try. You’ll enjoy the experience, and you’ll likely save yourself some money.
Tags: GoToMeeting, Microsoft Live Meeting, online meeting applications, online meetings, WebEx
