[Novalug] Video Conferencing Software?

[Nick Danger]

Today I worked with some video conferencing software. And while it might 
have done just fine in a one to one, or even a few to one with single 
participants (everyone having a headset/mic), one 'group' was in a 
conference room with a table based 'omni-directional' mic and the 
performance just didn't work. I put omni directional in quotes because 
our testing revealed it was not. The camera wasn't movable so we 
couldn't always see who was talking, which not a show stopper, was 
slightly annoying

My own experience with group video conferencing in the past was mostly 
using Polycom units in a one conference room to a second conference room 
and they worked fine. They also gave side A the option of moving the 
camera at side B so you can be sure to see whoever is talking. The audio 
and the video worked great, if not high res, but this was before the 
advent of sharing Power Point presentations or what have you along with 
the video conference. This was just "look at me talk" and this was only 
a two location situation, not a multi site situation so while the 
experience was positive, it was limited.

What I need now is a multi-site solution, preferably one that has a way 
to move the camera when in large conference room type solutions. And one 
that has a share a window, or something like that.

(now the open source part)

There are lots of open source software solutions but they all seem to be 
in that same area as IM or Chat, in one to one. I don't think any of 
them could even do multi-point.

Does anyone have experience or suggestions? If you email me I'll 
summarize, or post on list. Either :-) I'll keep my cranky opinions to 
myself for now.

Nick