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Table of Contents » Linktivity WebDemo » Event Management
Event Management
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Linktivity WebDemo has an online event management facility that allows the host to schedule online meetings. WebDemo provides excellent documentation that explains how to set up a meeting.
This review discusses the following aspects of Event Management within Linktivity WebDemo:
My Office Page
Once the host logs in to the WebDemo server, a page with the host's settings appears. This page shows all public and private meetings scheduled for today. Details of other meetings, past or scheduled, may be displayed using the tabs labeled Day, Week, Month and All. For precise selection by date drop-down boxes are provided.
My Office page
The host can return to the office page by clicking the My Office button located in the navigator menu on the left.
Scheduling Meetings
A host can schedule a meeting by clicking on the Create Meeting button in the menu. A webform is displayed containing several sections. In the Meeting Details section of the web form the host fills in the meeting name, the type of meeting (public or private) and a description up to a maximum of 128 characters.
If desired meetings may be erased by using the Cancel Meeting button.
Basic meeting details
Sending Invitations
Prospective meeting attendees are invited by e-mail. The form provides a box to manually enter the invitees' names or to paste them from the built-in address book. As soon as the meeting host finalizes the details of the meeting, WebDemo sends out invitations to all prospective attendees. The invitations contain a hyperlink that allows easy access into the meeting.
A typical WebDemo e-mail invitation message
At any time during a meeting the presenter/moderator may send additional email invitations by clicking on the envelope icon in the host control panel. A browser window appears allowing the host to specify one or more e-mail addresses.
Sending an invitation from the host control panel
Managing Contacts
WebDemo allows the meeting host to maintain an address book of invitees. Of each invitee name, e-mail address, phone number and company name can be stored.
Advanced Meeting Details
WebDemo provides the option to attach a single file to the invitation message. This file, a Word or PDF document for example, may be used by the attendees to prepare for the meeting.
Of course meetings may also be password protected. This is optional.
The meeting date is selected through a convenient calendar or by filling in the scheduling options section.
Advanced meeting details
Outlook Integration
WebDemo offers a close integration with Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express with three useful functions:
- A meeting session can be scheduled as an appointment in Outlook Calendar. To this purpose WebDemo e-mail invitations contain an attachment with an .ics extension. By double-clicking on the .ics attachment the meeting details are automatically inserted into the recipient's calendar view.
- WebDemo's Address Book allows the direct import of Outlook addresses. This makes it much easier to send out meeting invitations.
- If desired the meeting host may add a button to the Outlook toolbar to launch an instant meeting. (See Desktop Launch Tools)
Desktop Launch Tools
A hyperlink labeled Install Desktop Launchers at the top right corner of the My Office page triggers the installation of several desktop tools for WebDemo. After the installation procedure is done, Linktivity WebDemo toolbar buttons show up on the Windows Desktop and in Microsoft Office tools like PowerPoint, Outlook and Word. The two separate shortcuts on the Windows Desktop are respectively linked to the My Office page and to an instantly created new meeting session. The toolbar button in each of the Office applications also allows the immediate creation of a WebDemo meeting. This is a courteous and well implemented feature.
Cons
Conclusion
Linktivity WebDemo provides a well-designed event management feature that allows the efficient planning of online events. The Desktop Launch Tools are a valuable and courteous improvement that clearly shows Linktivity's dedication to achieve optimum functionality. To see how the event management option in Linktivity WebDemo compares to the one offered by other tools reviewed in the Guide, consult the Event Management Comparison Table.
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Posted on June 20, 2003 at 10:18 PM
Updated on January 10, 2005 at 06:51 PM
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