<html><head></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">Dear all ~<div><br></div><div>I've been pondering whether the sococo platform might be useful for open space online meetings. Take a look at the short video clip "see how sococo team space works": <a href="https://www.sococo.com">https://www.sococo.com</a>.</div><div><br></div><div>I called sococo a few months ago to see if they might be able to do a little tweaking to provide a look and feel that is more like a conference center, and it sounded like that might be possible. That conversation fizzled, but might be worth striking up again.</div><div><br></div><div>The other option I've been looking at is iLinc. I've used iLinc for smallish video conference meetings, and I've been told this platform is capable of holding multiple sessions for large groups. I haven't done it and haven't researched it fully, but this may be another option.</div><div><br></div><div>All best wishes ~</div><div><br></div><div>Julie</div><div><br></div><div><br><div><div>On Jan 29, 2012, at 7:50 AM, Harold Shinsato wrote:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote type="cite">
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David,<br>
<br>
This is a bit of the frontier. I see great potential here. Meeting
in person is best - but it is also expensive. For international
peace, harmony, and global connection - there's a huge value in
"virtual open space".<br>
<br>
If you can't meet in person - the next best technology right now is
video conferencing if you can afford it. There are cheaper
alternatives - if your people can jump the hurdles. I find that
GooglePlus "hangouts" are very appealing and free - at least for
smaller groups. But people have to leap the learning curve - and
simple URL links to the hangouts can't be sent ahead of time.<br>
<br>
Large scale video is not something I've seen working yet. Not to say
it hasn't worked - with enough of a budget. They even call it
"telepresence", I've heard it can be so satisfying. But I've yet to
experience it. Telepresence is probably best when you have split
teams - rather than completely virtual - since the hardware and
sufficient internet speed is not something everyone is going to have
in their homes.<br>
<br>
For the budget of most humans in the developed countries - by far
the simplest technology is the telephone. Long distance costs can
also be prohibitive if you're reaching out internationally - but
tools like Skype make that a little easier if not ideal. If the
participants can foot the bill for long distance phone calls - you
can get free telephone conference lines - and no cost to the
organizers. With a little investment - you can get toll free numbers
in your target countries.<br>
<br>
The Maestro teleconference system is not a free service, and it
looked promising for "virtual open space", but I've found it quite
lacking. The system was designed for moderated conversations
controlled by the moderator. You can pair people up, set them up in
small groups. But the participants can't do it. And it doesn't feel
like "the law of two feet" to let other people move you around the
break out sessions. I did not see self-organizing happen when people
had to ask to get moved. Maestro does seem to work for World Cafe
though.<br>
<br>
What I've heard to be the most successful - from Christine Whitney
Sanchez and a few other open space facilitators - is to hand out
several teleconference phone numbers for the different break out
sessions. You can get all these numbers for free. It takes a little
time to hang up and dial back into other "rooms", so you may lose
people from that. But at least it has worked for large groups.<br>
<br>
Another place for virtual open space that seemed promising is Second
Life. But the learning curve is big enough that much of your
conference is likely to end up being a training session in Second
Life. If everyone is willing to overcome that first - then it might
work. You get voice as well as visuals - even if they are cartoons -
but you see who is at your session. Unfortunately - finding private
meeting rooms is a chore in Second Life if you aren't willing to
invest a fair amount (though probably cheaper than renting a hotel
ballroom!)<br>
<br>
I think Holger Nauheimber and Juliane Neumann have been working on a
solution for a few years now - including leading the attempt at
Second Life - hopefully they will add something here.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
Harold<br>
<br>
On 1/29/12 8:18 AM, David Osborne wrote:
<blockquote cite="mid:CANQfh89RF4RO60mtaD1-25L-GuoyfYpruhA0ETZQBKAGXz0qUw@mail.gmail.com" type="cite">Hello All,
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I am wondering if others could share experiences with virtual
Open Space events? I have a diverse group of somewhere between
20 and 100 people that I would like to bring together in a
virtual open space to address a somewhat urgent and important
issue. I have questions such as...</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>- How can you do a virtual open space?</div>
<div>- What's the same and different vs. a in-person open space?</div>
<div>- What considerations are important in selecting a technology
platform?</div>
<div>
- What are your tips and suggestions for what may work and what
may hinder?</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I'm anxious to hear about other's experiences and am
appreciative of your sharing.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>David</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>David Osborne</div>
<div><a moz-do-not-send="true" href="mailto:dosborne@change-fusion.com">dosborne@change-fusion.com</a></div>
<div><a moz-do-not-send="true" href="http://www.change-fusion.com/">www.change-fusion.com</a></div>
<br>
</blockquote>
<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
Harold Shinsato<br>
<a href="mailto:harold@shinsato.com">harold@shinsato.com</a><br>
<a href="http://shinsato.com/">http://shinsato.com</a><br>
twitter: <a href="http://twitter.com/hajush">@hajush</a></div>
</div>
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