What is Screen Sharing?

Screen sharing is generally understood as the technologically-empowered ability to transmit the contents of your computer screen to one or more remotely connected Internet users.

In other words screen sharing allows you to show PowerPoint presentations, Word documents, images and any other software running on your computer while remotely connected users see in real-time what you see on your screen.

Traditionally screen sharing has been long referred to as application sharing, to define more specifically the ability not just to show specific applications to other connected participants but the combined ability of screen sharing with remote control.

So while the terms "application sharing" and "screen sharing" mean two different things they are increasingly used in interchangeable ways as many of the new tools and online services integrated them both, and companies prefer to use terminologies that make more immediate sense to the end user.

Screen-sharing generally requires abundant amounts of bandwidth and therefore it is best used when all participants are on a rather speedy internet connection.

Key advantages in using screen sharing tools to present materials to others are generally the ease of use and immediacy that this approach provides. On the other hand, screen sharing key limitations are the need for a good Internet connection to achieve effective results.

Screen sharing also does not fare well against Web-touring/Co-browsing and PowerPoint dedicated delivery tools. These generally provides better display and performance while using less bandwidth.

The typical features of Screen Sharing

Screen sharing is characterized by the ability to real-time share the contents of your computer screen with one or more remotely Internet-connected users.

Key features that characterize popular screen sharing services and tools include:

1. Share only specific applications

This is the ability to select only a specific application or document to be shared with others, preventing attendees from seeing other materials or info they should not see.

2. Share specific region of screen

A few rare tools allow for selecting specific region of the screen to be the only content to be shared with other session attendees.

3. Change presenter (allow any of the attendees to show her screen)

Changing the presenter allows the host to elect any of the session attendees to be becoming presenters instantly and therefore become instantly able to share their own screens with others.

4. Max Number of simultaneous participants

The number of maximum concurrent participants that can attend a screen sharing session.

5. Remote control - Give/share keyboard and mouse control

Remote control is the ability to hand out/share your keyboard and mouse controls with one or more other users.

6. Host can be on any platform (Pc, Mac, Linux)

The presenter can initiate a screen sharing from any computer type independently of the operating system he/she uses.

7. Integrates text chat

Text chat facility integration.

8. Integrates live annotation

Integration of live markup and visual annotation tools.

9. Integrated support for VoIP

Provides the ability for voice communication during the screen sharing session.

10. Integrated support for teleconferencing

Provides the ability for telephone-based voice communication during the screen sharing session.

11. Recording

A visual recording facility is integrated.

12. No download or installation

No software or plugins are required to access the screen sharing functionality.

13. Live cursor

The presenter cursor is transmitted live to the other attendees allowing it to act as an effective real-time visual pointer.

14. Public URL to join

Allows for the sharing of a public URL that other attendees can easily use to join your meeting.

For more information visit www.showscreen.com.