Thing 10: Live Streaming

Whoa!  That was a lot to take in.  I had to read it twice and I'm still not sure that I would be able to set up a live streaming session if I was asked to do so.  Having said that, I'm not a complete stranger to live streaming because, with lots of relatives abroad, I am an avid user of Skype.  Skype only used to facilitate one-on-one video calls free of charge but these days conference calls are free also, enabling three or more people to chat together and see each other.

When I was a kid all the futuristic visions thought up by daydreamers included a video phone which would allow you to see the person you were talking to.  It is really odd to find that what sounded like insanity all those years ago is now totally commonplace and taken for granted.  And having researched the subject a bit I discovered to my amazement that our Victorian ancestors were already dreaming of such a gadget at a time when the telephone had barely been invented!

Live streaming in 1879

Skype is great but there are often hiccups.  Either the video is grainy or pixelated or the sound goes queer or disappears altogether.  It can be awfully frustrating when things go wrong.  For this and other reasons I don't think I would have the nerve to use live streaming for my own work.  However, I can certainly see the potential of live streaming mainly because of its ability to attract remote audiences.  For example when a tight budget prevents participation in a conference or other event in a faraway place, it would be fantastic to have the opportunity to view it live from home or from work.

I watched the Hangout OnAir last Sunday and I swear I was more nervous than the participants!  It was great to see live streaming in action and get a feel for what it entails.  Well done to all who took part.