All things related to multicast

[Steve Shultz <>]

When you make a conference call. You ether knows the number or looks it
up in a directory. I have not seen any multicast software where an integrated
directory function exists. This function could be a distributed database. The
best conference tools that were not so difficult to use were free VIC and VAT.
No one has taken that concept and made them into low cost commercial products.


At 09:23 AM 5/13/2004, Chris Rapier wrote:

Tom Pusateri wrote:

Their choice will be either the easiest or the cheapest and this depends
on how well the application is written and who's footing the bill.

I realy think this is a main reason but I'd also have to include inertia. People have been setting up conference calls in the traditional manner for years and years and years. Its almost second nature. Until you can set something up that is perceived to be as easy and reliable as conference calls I think multicast won't be utilized in this way. Also, sometimes one of the nice things about conference calls is that the other person *can't* see you press the mute button, doodle, or make exasperated faces.

Steve Shultz
(650) 604 2921
Principal Computer Scientist/CSC Corp
NASA Ames Research Center
MS 233-21
Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000