Video Collaboration
Researchers are constantly needing to talk in real-time across large distances. Video collaboration software makes this possible with the click of a button.
Access Grid
The Access Grid offers an excellent way of communicating between multiple sites that are dispersed across the globe.
Using Access Grid, many locations can communicate with each other at the same time, a concept that stands in contrast to that of other tools (such as Skype, or point-to-point connections). Many Australian tertiary institutions provide one or several Access Grid nodes that can be booked for use. Each of these various locations can be connected together using 'Virtual Venues', virtual meeting rooms where audio and video from each site is broadcast to and automatically delivered to all others in the venue.
Features
- Multi-site connectivity - most Australian universities and many other institutions have Access Grid nodes.
- Connect many dispersed locations together in one Virtual Venue.
- Contact the university you wish you communicate with to see what they have on offer and to book their facilities.
- Audio and video support
- Shared presentations
- Shared desktop (web browser or other applications)
- Document camera support
Rooms
- Townsville (Douglas campus) - Building 17, Room 032 (17-032); seats approximately 30 people
Bookings
Rooms are available for both internal JCU staff and students, as well as external clients. Bookings can be made using the online Access Grid Booking Form. You can also see current bookings on our booking calendar.
Hiring Fees
Rooms are charged on a per-hour basis, charged in half-hourly increments. If link testing or other quality assurance is required before a meeting, the duration will be charged at the applicable rate.
| Room only | Access Grid (self managed) | Access Grid (set up by technician): 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday | Access Grid (set up by technician): Outside hours |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internal (JCU) |
$30 | $50 | $70 | $130 |
| External (ex- GST) |
N/A | N/A | $150 | $210 |
EVO
EVO, or Enabling Virtual Organisations, is a online collaborative conferencing tool, which can be easily used on a desktop computer.
Originally developed by Caltech, EVO is supported by the Australian Research Collaboration Service (ARCS) with Australia. This desktop application aims to enable both large and small meetings to take place electronically, across the Internet. With very low system requirements, EVO is cross-platform, working on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
The JCU eResearch Centre contributes to this support through its staff members being actively involved in testing and quality assurance processes. Users at JCU who wish to install and use EVO for video or other collaboration, should visit the relevant ARCS EVO 'How-to' documentation.
Read more about EVO.
Help and Support
If you require information about how to use EVO or require further support, the following documentation can assist you:
- ARCS Video Collaboration 'How-to'
- ARCS EVO Telephone Bridge Information
- ARCS EVO@AU Portal Home Page
- Caltech EVO 2 Help Documentation PDF
- CERN EVO Documentation Wiki
Otherwise, if you require more information or help, please contact us and we can assist you further. We can help you set up your computer, get you connected, and get EVO optimally configured for your system.
