Using TimeBridge for the first time, we found it fast and easy to use. After creating a test meeting with conference call and web meeting support, we had a little fun chatting for a few minutes on the phone. Overall, we found the service to be quick, easy and on par with other conference services like GoToMeeting and WebEx. Of course, this becomes a lot less surprising when you realize that TimeBridge does not offer an 800 number - it is a long-distance call for (almost) everyone who wants to dial.

The Web Conference module impressed us quite a bit. It supports whiteboard, desktop, document and web page sharing, as well as automatic detection of a webcam. There is a chat pane as well as an attendee management page for the presenter. Transferring control to a different presenter is supported, and if necessary taking control back. New attendees can be added without their having to have a TimeBridge login. Overall we thought the web conference experience was great.

Unfortunately, the options for the phone conference were somewhat limited. People are announced as they join a call - which is fine - but anyone is allowed to speak during the call, and there doesn't seem to be a way to 'end' the call once it is done. This may be OK for an impromptu business meeting or for involving remote employees, but it would be inadequate if you wanted to hold a shareholders meeting or other larger event that requires selective muting of callers.

Overall, we think that for $8.95 a month, you could do worse than what TimeBridge is offering. If you are already hooked on their multiple-suggested-times approach to meeting scheduling, you may find this addition very worthwhile.

With the new SynchroLive Communication platform, the service is now more scalable while keeping all live communications synchronized, no matter whether you're sharing audio, video, files, or web pages. This was one of the areas where Dimdim stumbled in the past. When we used it here at RWW for sharing our desktop with our readers during our testing of Chrome, the audio and video weren't matching up. That problem is, supposedly, no more. (We'll have to do another live demo and find out!) Says the company, the platform now makes it possible for five audio streams to be recorded, where before Dimdim only supported recording one.

The platform also allows for the new co-browsing feature to work. With this, a presenter can share their web browser with viewers who can then also be made presenters in order to browse along with the original presenter. The co-browsing allows for scrolling up and down, but does not track mouse movements, so it is not as good for using your mouse to point to an element of a web page. However, when you just want to share material on the web with a group - say, for example, a professor teaching remote students, it would be a good solution.

Open Source Dimdim, "Liberty"

Also launched today with the release of Dimdim 4.5 is the launch of "Liberty," the Open Source Community Edition of the new commercial hosted version. Liberty's complete source code will be made available under a GPL3 license with no limit to the number of attendees, meetings, or mashups that can be created. Liberty is also available as a downloadable VMWare Virtual Appliance.

The Open Source version also integrates with other web applications, including:

• Zimbra: Dimdim now offers a free zimlet for Zimbra's open source email system;
• Moodle: Dimdim is integrated with version 1.9 of Moodle's Course Management System;
• SugarCRM: Dimdim is integrated with the leading open source customer relationship management system,
• Claroline: Dimdim is embedded within with the collaborative learning environment.

More Enhancements

Those who have used Dimdim in the past will notice some subtle UI changes in the newest version including a smaller top frame and revamped menus on the left. Drop-down arrows have been added to those menus for easy access to files and shared web pages, too.

In the future, Dimdim will also allow for skinning changes and templates. Because Dimdim's service-oriented architecture is composed of a handful of different services (screen sharing, audio streaming, video, etc.), the platform makes it possible to use customize the look and feel of the Dimdim interface and create a template just for your needs. If you're only sharing web browsers, for example, you could turn all the other features off. The templates created by Dimdim users could then be shared with each other. Dimdim says these new features will be available sometime early next year.

In addition to the no-cost Open Source version, Dimdim will continue to offer a free version for meetings with 20 or fewer people. Dimdim Pro 4.5 starts at $99 per year for unlimited meetings plus video chat.