Microsoft's Netmeeting 3.0 Beta 
We all remember the hype from Microsoft's release of ie 5.0, and how they said that it was the new standard in the browser world. Well, it maybe was a nice jump, but it wasn't a leap like the difference between Netmeeting 2.11 $ 3.0 beta. The new Netmeeting 3.0 beta is a HUGE leap ahead in every single line of code rewritten. Let me put it to you this way, if you don't have it right now, click the button above & start getting it, even if you don't have a netcam............
The first thing that I must tell you is that Microsoft did hype it up a little bit, but they did make it a little tricky to get. When you find yourself at their site, even if you click a 3.0 beta link, it will still select 2.11 by default. You MUST select 3.0 from the drop-down menu, otherwise, you will end up with a brand new copy of what you already had. Since it is a beta, I guess Microsoft didn't want the novice user to accidentally get a beta, but they could have been a little clearer about it. Along with myself, just about everyone I know that downloaded it originally got version 2.11 by accident.
Now, to the good stuff. The first huge improvement is the interface. It is at least half the size of the older version, which makes it easier to manage, and also allot less cluttered. They instead put in buttons below the streaming picture that are dual-function, allowing you to switch in between different information screens. The second improvement is the creation of the Microsoft Internet Directory. This server is a whole lot easier to get into, and the windows have a much better design that makes it easier to look for people, as well as tell if they have video & audio. The other benefit of the directory is that it is much easier to find people by their e-mail address, since they are on the same server. As far as the packet loss, it is incredible how well it works. When I have conferences with people whom are close to me, there was zero lag. When they get pretty far away, say cross-country or transatlantic, then I found it necessary to cut my video stream and we could hear each other great. Speaking of sound, it does have direct sound support, although you must enable it, so that you can hear the other side while speaking. Also, the interface allows you to quickly adjust your picture size and quality to adjust for unexpected lag. They did build in a remote desktop function that you can use as well, although I really don't trust the security concerns, so I really can't say how well it works. I'm sure that if it does run smooth allot of tech support people would like it in helping newbies out.
With the good, there always is some bad. The first thing that I think is really stupid about 3.0 beta is the chat feature. Netcams are not an exact science, thus, lag makes it impossible to communicate. With 3.0, you do have the option of turning on chat so during periods of lag, you can still communicate back and forth. The trick is that both users have to make sure that it is active in order for it to work. If it isn't active, they have no idea that yours is on. I think they need the equivalent of a chat request in icq, where the user on the other end gets a message indicating that you want to chat. The other thing that I really wish they had is a latency meter, showing you the other parties' latency to the server. That would make it really easy to know offhand if you should just stick with icq.
All right, you may find this really interesting, but why should you get it if you don't have a netcam? Simple, you can still use the program to talk to the other side if you have a mic, or at least chat back to them. This is actually ideal because it frees up the bandwidth for the other guy who is sending the video. This is exactly the kind of technology that will make the telephone obsolete when it comes to long distance communications.