Teleplace
Computerworld
"However, one excellent alternative to travel is [Teleplace], a service that creates a very life-like virtual meeting area in the cloud. It's an exciting, interactive working environment for groups."
Frequently Asked Questions
Overview
- How does Teleplace work?
- What client operating systems does Teleplace support ?
- What are the hardware requirements for Teleplace ?
Navigation in Virtual Spaces
- How do I navigate in Teleplace?
Creating Virtual Spaces and Importing Content
- I am not skilled at making 3-D environments, I don't even have any 3-D tools. Can I still use Teleplace?
- How do I add content to a virtual space in Teleplace?
- Can I copy content shared in a virtual space to my local disk?
- What file formats can I use to drag and drop content into a space?
Collaboration
- When I work on a document in a virtual space can other collaborators see my typing, editing, and commands in real-time?
- Does Teleplace support text chat?
- Does Teleplace support voice?
- Does Teleplace support webcam video-conferencing?
Workflow
- How can I use Teleplace as part of my overall workflow, with email, calendar, IM, etc ?
Customizing a Virtual Space
- How can I customize a virtual space?
- Can I use a web browser in a space?
- Can I integrate other applications into a space?
- Can I share a window from my desktop in a space?
- How can I work collaboratively with other users on a document?
- Can I connect multiple spaces together?
- Can I change the textures and colors for the walls, floor or ceiling?
- Can I import textures to be used for the walls, floor or ceiling?
- Is Teleplace a 3-D modeling tool?
- How do I get 3-D models into a space?
- Can avatars be animated?
Deploying Teleplace
- What kind of business model does Teleplace have?
- Can Teleplace host my Teleplace server for me?
- Can I deploy the Teleplace server behind my firewall?
- How do I integrate Teleplace with my Active Directory or LDAP service?
- Can I restrict access of users to parts of my Teleplace virtual space?
Overview
- How does Teleplace work?
Teleplace uses a powerful replication technology which guarantees clients all see the same data and events, and makes best use of available resources by relying on client processing power for rendering and the 3-D, collaborative, virtual space. Each user who joins a virtual space brings more CPU and graphics power to support using the virtual space.
- What client operating systems does Teleplace support?
Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista SP1 and Mac OS X 10.5 (Intel-based macs only). Linux clients are under evaluation -- please contact Teleplace for more information.
- What are the client hardware requirements for Teleplace ?
Your machine should have the following:
- An Intel Pentium M 1.6GHz processor is adequate.
- A minimum of 1GB random access memory (RAM).
- Access to the Internet (WAN) at broadband speeds is required for running the standard (hosted) version of Teleplace.
- A hardware graphics capability (GPU) supporting OpenGL 1.3. This is required to render the 3-D scene.
Verifying your hardware: Teleplace is a visually oriented application and requires OpenGL v1.3 or later support. Newer generation computers, less than two years old or labeled as "Vista Ready" are generally adequate to support Teleplace. If you are not sure what version of OpenGL is supported on your machine, you can use tools such as GPU Caps Viewer to find out:
For older machines with upgradeable graphics slots, we recommend installing an NVIDIA GeForce FX5200 series or better, or ATI Radeon 9600 series or better. Upgrading your graphics card above the baseline requirement will typically result in a superior Teleplace experience.
Regardless of your graphics hardware, performance and stability will typically be best when the newest drivers are used. We recommend going to your computer vendor's web site and seeing if there is a system or graphics update available for your model of machine or graphics card.
Navigation in Virtual Spaces
- How do I navigate in Teleplace?
Teleplace supports multiple ways to move around in a virtual space. Navigation can be done by navigating to specific locations or bookmarks in the space using menus or the tab key; in addition, multiple methods are available to navigate through the virtual space: keyboard cursor (arrow) keys, gamer-type "w-a-s-d" keypad, and a virtual joystick using the mouse.
Creating Virtual Spaces and Importing Content
- I am not skilled at making 3-D environments, I don't even have any 3-D tools. Can I still use Teleplace?
Yes, Teleplace is designed for users with little or no 3-D skills. Teleplace comes with pre-built templates for different types of spaces such as a personal office, a project room, a gallery and an outside campus (Teleplace Virtual Campus™). Using menu commands, you can create these types of spaces and then link them together with simple drag-and-drop commands. Teleplace makes use of your existing 2-D content by sharing existing applications and documents.
- How do I add content to a virtual space in Teleplace?
Once you have created a virtual space, you can add content from you local desktop to the space. Most content can be added using drag-and-drop placement; simply find the local content you want to add, and then drag its icon in the Teleplace window. Teleplace will automatically upload your local content and create a shared copy in the virtual space.
- Can I copy content shared in a virtual space to my local disk?
Yes. After working on shared content with other collaborators, you can save a copy of the work you have done to your local drive. Note: the shared copy will still exist in the virtual space and is part of the persistent content of the space. It is not necessary to save a local copy unless you need it for use outside of the space.
- What file formats can I use to drag and drop content into a space?
Many types of office documents, spreadsheets, presentations, images, media (movies and sound) and 3-D models are supported. Please see the product datasheet for details.
In addition, applications written using the Teleplace extensibility API's in "qpz" format can be dropped into a virtual space, where they can be shared with other users.
Collaboration
- When I work on a document in a virtual space can other collaborators see my typing, editing, commands and mouse actions in real-time?
Yes. Teleplace has a four technologies to enable this:
- Teleplace Multi-Share™ allows all users in the same virtual space to equally see how others are editing or modifying content, and edit that content themselves. The application runs on Teleplace's application servers, and is equally accessible to all users.
- Teleplace Personal Share™ allows any user to share a read-only view of applications on their desktop with other users in the Teleplace. Other users can watch and learn in real-time, but the person sharing is guaranteed that other users cannot control, steal or damage the application and data. Multiple users can each choose to share multiple applications at the same time using this technology.
- The Teleplace Python API supports powerful programmatic extensions to Teleplace, including interactive applications like whiteboards which multiple users can edit together, and automation integration such as triggering content updates from external sources like databases, web services and EAI.
- The Teleplace Application Integration Interface (AII) supports integrating existing backend GUI applications into the virtual spaces. Teleplace Enterprise Server™ required.
- Does Teleplace support text chat?
Yes. Both private text chat and group text chat are built-in into Teleplace. Private text chat supports communication between users in different virtual spaces and in the lobby.
- Does Teleplace support voice?
Yes. A high-quality voice channel is built-in to Teleplace. Users in a space can hear each other and also hear audio content in a virtual space. Sounds sources are spatially located (or 3-D spatialized) so that a colleague on your left in the virtual space sounds that way on your computer's stereo headset. "Push-to-Talk" is also supported for open microphone situations. Intelligent auto-device detection simplifies switching or choosing devices.
- Does Teleplace support webcam video-conferencing?
Yes. Each user can choose from three quality/bandwidth levels of video streaming from a builtin or USB webcam on their computer. Other users can see the video stream in three locations: in a floating window, in a panel within the Teleplace, or on the face of the user's avatar if they have selected the "simple" avatar form.
Workflow
- How can I use Teleplace as part of my overall workflow, with email, calendar, IM, etc ?
There are many ways to Teleplace as an integrated part of your overall workflow:
- Embed Landmark Links (web links to virtual places) in calendar invites, instant messages, emails, wikis and blogs, so meeting participants can enter on time with a single click.
- Track recent changes across multiple projects using RSS feeds from your Teleplace.
- When meetings finish, Teleplace can automatically compose an email in your email client, ready to send, pre-addressed to the participants and containing your work results. Results include links to documents used, chat transcript, arrival and departure times, and more. You'll have the work summary in your email for easy reference, and the links allow users to easily return to the source documents.
- Record your sessions for later reuse or analysis, using the built in Meeting DVR. Catch up on missed meetings, and create training assets for efficiently transferring knowledge.
- Access key information from your Teleplace via browser, using Teleplace Pages. Use your mobile device or a colleague's computer where you don't have the Teleplace software installed.
- Create Smart Rooms which are automatically updated with the latest reports and data from outside sources.
- Stay in the Teleplace Lobby all day, to easily stay in touch with other users via private text chat, and track activity in multiple project rooms.
- Upload files for later use without entering the virtual space now, using either web upload or the Lobby.
Customizing a Virtual Space
- How can I customize a virtual space?
There are many ways to customize a virtual space in Teleplace:
- Drag and drop content in any location to automatically create new display devices in the virtual space, which you can arrange and resize as you like.
- Decorate your space by importing photos and other personalized items, and arranging them as you'd like.
- Add portals (gateways) to other virtual spaces to create your own navigation pathways between different working spaces. Like content, links to other spaces can be dragged and dropped onto portals in a virtual space.
- Change colors and textures of surfaces by using the built-in texture browser
- Add 3-D content by importing models or other 3-D elements from other sources.
- Any modified Teleplace can be saved as a template, from which other users can immediately create new Teleplaces.
- Can I use a web browser in a space?
Yes. Support for Mozilla Firefox is built-in to the environment as a Teleplace Multi-share application. In addition, users can choose to share other browsers from their desktop using Teleplace Personal Share
- Can I integrate other applications into a space?
Yes. Teleplace has a general application integration infrastructure. Applications that can be virtualized such as Firefox, OpenOffice, virtualized Vista, etc. can be invoked as application services for a virtual space. Applications that can not be virtualized can be shared from the desktop of one of the user machines in the session using Teleplace Personal Share. In addition, extensibility API's allow backend systems, databases and other external assets to be integrated into a Teleplace.
- Can I share a window from my desktop in a space?
Yes. Teleplace Personal Share allows any user to share a view of one or more desktop applications with other users. These views are read-only, guaranteeing that the other users cannot steal or damage the underlying data.
- How can I work collaboratively with other users on a document?
Using Teleplace Multi-Share you can see the edits and commands other users are executing and also take control to drive an application or edit content. This is a mode of working that encourages interaction and collaboration.
- Can I connect multiple spaces together?
Yes. Different spaces can be linked together using portals and gateways. The spaces could be running on different servers and can be managed by different groups or companies; for example, a vendor and a supplier might both have virtual spaces and link them together to facilitate collaboration across the supply chain.
- Can I change the textures and colors for the walls, floor or ceiling?
Yes. There is a full texture editor and surface property editor available in Teleplace. Like all built-in tools, these can be used simultaneously by more than one user.
- Can I import textures to be used for the walls, floor or ceiling?
Yes. High-resolution texture files (typically up to 2048 x 2048) can be imported and used for texture mapping.
- Is Teleplace a 3-D modeling tool?
Not really. You can create 3-D spaces from existing templates, make new templates or import and place 3-D content developed in other tools. If you want to make detailed 3-D models you should use an application designed for that purpose such as Google SketchUp, 3D Studio Max, or other tools designed for 3-D modeling. Once you have 3-D models, you can import them into Teleplace.
Once you have imported and arranged your 3-D content, you can save the result as a template, from which other users can create new Teleplaces.
- How do I get 3-D models into a space?
Drag and drop from a local folder into the virtual space. Once the mode has been shared it can be scaled, rotated or moved into the desired location.
- Can avatars be animated?
Yes. Avatars can use motion capture files to have articulated movement for walking and other movements.
Deploying Teleplace
- What kind of business model does Teleplace have?
Teleplace has a Software as a Service (SaaS) business model. Teleplace is available 24/7, including unlimited voice use, for a flat fee based on a per user per month fee. As new features are released in Teleplace, they are immediately available to current customers as updates to the product are included in the flat fee.
For customers requiring a behind-the-firewall installation, a subscription license model is also available for the software.
- Can Teleplace host my Teleplace server for me?
Yes. Teleplace can host the Teleplace server for you. Your account will have its own private space and access will be limited only to those people you authorize.
- Can I deploy the Teleplace server behind my firewall?
Yes. Teleplace is designed to be deployed behind your firewall for self-hosted use. Teleplace will deliver the Teleplace Enterprise Server as a software appliance to you for deployment behind your firewall. All communication (voice, applications, persistence) share a single outbound connection on a single port, and enterprise proxies are supported.
- How do I integrate Teleplace with my Active Directory or LDAP service?
Users need to authenticate to join a Teleplace virtual space. Customers interested in verifying user credentials against an existing authentication service such as Active Directory or LDAP can achieve this using the Teleplace Enterprise Server with optional services.
- Can I restrict access of users to parts of my Teleplace virtual space?
Yes. Teleplace virtual spaces require authentication in order for a user to join a space. Authentication can be restricted so that certain spaces are only available to users with specific permissions.
