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faq software in sfex
last modified September 29, 2010 by facilitfsm
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About software promoted in sfex initiative
Interactivy and decentralization self organizing are a goal in sfex. 1
Let us concentrate on the distance participation formula - where the streaming is. 1
For the moment sfex uses commercial sites. 2
Situation of bigblue button vs skype : might be used to a certain extent in a close future. 3
situation red5 status vs livestream ustream - not easy to decentralize its use. 3
Free software Volunteers welcome ! 3
Interactivy and decentralization self organizing are a goal in sfex
Social Forum EXtended is about making possible distance interactions and dialogue which imply possibility to interact, and that is why the "distance participation" formula includes and highlights the role of the " connectant person" who is gathering the video viewer in a chat room in skype and interacting with them and speaking in their names in the room where the activity is being held
It is quite possible to have the streaming made as a service to the activity organizers by an independent media team, while the participatory feedback loop is taken in charge by the activity organizers
See the proposed extended item in a proposed wsf2011 ( x)
Social forum extended/expanded initiative proposes three main participation formulas -
· local activities outside a centric event ,
· distance encounters between (generally two points with skype -
distance participation to either a local activity or centric activity , or a distance encounter activity with ustream/livestream + skype –
Let us concentrate on the distance participation formula - where the streaming is
Social forum extended initiative /process /scheme is aiming at self organized streaming by activity organizers ( with help of a cameraperson and a connectant person found among the organizers network) .
The distance participation formula has been tested and evolved since the beginning of 2010
the idea appeared in the social forum in Dunas http://openfsm.net/projects/fs-exp-periferias/project-home
the participatory feedback loop was added to it the Osaka sf plenary, and the Palestine preparatory forum, allowed to test to potential of this formula for distance participation, well integrating in the face to face dynamics http://openfsm.net/projects/wef-in-Palestine-process/extension-of-march-seminar
Practice of distance participation has not progressed much in Mexico because it was logistically not possible to get the list of activity organizers soon enough to give them time to decide exploring the option before the event urgencies came down on them
Same in the urban forum. - streaming live a distance encounter was performed for the first time http://openfsm.net/projects/fsmmexx/mexexp-divip-es
This distance participation option will be explored in the coming month in the WEF Palestine forum ( tens of activities in Palestine or expanded out f Palestine are willing to explore the option of streaming ,and whatever can be done in the month to come will be done .. ) http://wef-Palestine.org/soa-list and a table highlighting the expanded aspects here -, see the last but one column in the tables in the link here http://openfsm.net/projects/wef-in-Palestine-process/commented-list
Distance participation is considered for the Panamazonian forum in November -
Distance participation is centrally considered in the WEF Compostela where organizing committee has chosen to focus on distance participation and leave aside distance encounters , so as to no disturb the global schedule ( activity registration is closing in a few days ) http://openfsm.net/projects/fme-compostela-expandido/project-home in Dakar ,depending internet availability, a goal could be to have 25% of Dakar activities self streaming their proceedings
software policy : unleashing practices of distance communication with commercial software and waiting for free software tools
In the moments skype is widely used
to be noted that the situation is the same with Facebook : many groups use facebook to mobilize for a social forum event, and facebook has also advertizing in its pages , and so far there is not strong criticism against this use.
Promotion of free streaming software is not yet making much sense in social forum expanded SOA context because of following issues
when having the project to extend their activity SOA organizers expect to learn be independent , and not to depend on third parties that are difficult to find inside the chaotic organization of a forum event
· how do we get access to the channel?
· which manipulations back and forth
· what happens when the one or two add free channel provided by the organizing committee are occupied
· how is the channel are named and by who
· how people can we keep their channel active after the event
· are people depending on a third party to be able to stream ?
ownership by people of their channel that they can go on with after the wsf .... that they have full control about is much better option - they are not dependent on a red5 set up server that will disappear after the last event etc....
Bear with Commercials or have no distance participation scheme
Whenever such a streaming service tool decentralized and requiring no intervention from a third party( i-e with a management layer ) ,will be available in free software, for social forums, of course it will be promoted also
For the moment sfex uses commercial sites
Reasons above are why for the moment the use of commercial streaming sites is promoted since the goal of SFEX initiative is to empower people in having their distance participation autonomy
for the moment, ustream and livestream, with simple free access, despite their commercial aspect are promoted inside sfex initiative, despite their commercial character
Those commercial sites are always here and not depending on the capacity of the organizing committee of an event to set up a streaming server usable simply by non experts, ( while the red5 free software solution has no user management layer )
A side benefit is that if many workshops are streaming on those sites, it will contribute to visibility of WSF ,
Also they allow users to keep a channel and administer it beyond the period of an event
Situation of bigblue button vs skype : might be used to a certain extent in a close future
And what about bigbluebutton? I think we need to test futher as well - maybe even having some comcom meetings with it.
About going to big blue button replaceing skype video , the question of sound and headset is paramount I understand that there will introduce a simple way to shut people off "in the next monthes " and the perspective of having echo cancellation as in skype is still remote
situation red5 status vs livestream ustream - not easy to decentralize its use
now is there a big blue button equivalent in the streaming field ? red 5
I have been reviewing red5 potential with Dimtris – he is clear that there is no user administration layer developed , so some experts have to do manipulations for an overall centralized process
how far is it from ustream ergonomy the day people get autonomous streaming their activities they can hear the free software argment and wll move to a reasonnably well done site whenever it appears ....(
Free software Volunteers welcome !
if someone has the time to care about this and contribute to boosting functionalities and usage of other piece of software, and securing a server with satisfactory management features welcome in the comcom team ! this is a mid term aproach