What is the best way to host a virtual event these days?
April 22, 2020 4:41 PM Subscribe
I had an event planned for June that may need to go virtual due to COVID-19. I have looked at options like Zoom and Teachable, but I'm not sure what other platforms exist or what would be the best one.
Facebook is not an option as some of the attendees don't do Facebook. Special details inside :-)
I had a day of teaching arts and crafts planned for June, but it looks like that might not happen.
I need a platform or some combination of platforms where I can:
I could postpone the event, but it's up in the air and I want to have a plan B.
Are there other platforms/ideas that I should consider? TIA!
I had a day of teaching arts and crafts planned for June, but it looks like that might not happen.
I need a platform or some combination of platforms where I can:
- live chat or text chat with attendees one on one or as a group
- host/embed video that attendees can go back to and watch
- easy to use interface as participants are older adults
I could postpone the event, but it's up in the air and I want to have a plan B.
Are there other platforms/ideas that I should consider? TIA!
Best answer: Never use Facebook. For anything. Ever. No exceptions.
If your requirements don't include live video and/or audio with attendees (just text chat) then you may want to look more at live streaming solutions rather than conferencing solutions. (So, stuff like YouTube Live or Twitch.)
For the "easy to use interface" part, I'd limit your search to things where attendees can join with just a browser (and not any specific browser or platform).
For the VOD part, you probably need to simultaneously stream and record. I would consider OBS to be the sovereign remedy for this type of problem.
I'd also strongly suggest planning at least one limited-scale tech-test / rehearsal well ahead of time. That way you'll learn that your camera res doesn't match your canvas or your white balance is hecked up or your AV sync is off early enough to do something about it.
Can you pre-record the video, and just have a live text chat? If so, *absolutely do that* -- it will be so much easier and more forgiving than a live stream. You can edit! You can do post-production! Something like YouTube Premier is probably a compelling solution in this context.
posted by sourcequench at 5:32 PM on April 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
If your requirements don't include live video and/or audio with attendees (just text chat) then you may want to look more at live streaming solutions rather than conferencing solutions. (So, stuff like YouTube Live or Twitch.)
For the "easy to use interface" part, I'd limit your search to things where attendees can join with just a browser (and not any specific browser or platform).
For the VOD part, you probably need to simultaneously stream and record. I would consider OBS to be the sovereign remedy for this type of problem.
I'd also strongly suggest planning at least one limited-scale tech-test / rehearsal well ahead of time. That way you'll learn that your camera res doesn't match your canvas or your white balance is hecked up or your AV sync is off early enough to do something about it.
Can you pre-record the video, and just have a live text chat? If so, *absolutely do that* -- it will be so much easier and more forgiving than a live stream. You can edit! You can do post-production! Something like YouTube Premier is probably a compelling solution in this context.
posted by sourcequench at 5:32 PM on April 22, 2020 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Youtube's live streaming platform is probably what I'd use for this, especially if you want to archive the video for later watching and only need to provide a text chat for anyone else.
posted by Aleyn at 5:58 PM on April 22, 2020
posted by Aleyn at 5:58 PM on April 22, 2020
Best answer: The Wirecutter, a generally excellent consumer site (bought by the NYTimes a few years back) just updated their Best Video Conferencing 2020 roundup on Monday. They now recommend Cisco Webex Meetings, and no longer recommend Zoom in light of its many security and privacy issues. You'll get a feel for their thoroughness on that page, but from the intro at the top:
In light of a series of concerning Zoom security missteps, we’ve reevaluated this guide.
Our new pick for large teams is Cisco Webex Meetings: Its generous free plan allows for lots of attendees and unlimited meetings, and its security and privacy policies are solid. If you’re just looking to meet virtually with family or friends, we recommend Jitsi Meet’s free, secure, and easy-to-use videoconferencing service.
posted by mediareport at 6:12 PM on April 22, 2020 [4 favorites]
In light of a series of concerning Zoom security missteps, we’ve reevaluated this guide.
Our new pick for large teams is Cisco Webex Meetings: Its generous free plan allows for lots of attendees and unlimited meetings, and its security and privacy policies are solid. If you’re just looking to meet virtually with family or friends, we recommend Jitsi Meet’s free, secure, and easy-to-use videoconferencing service.
posted by mediareport at 6:12 PM on April 22, 2020 [4 favorites]
Response by poster: Oh wow, I forgot that Webex was a thing! I remember using it way back in the day :-)
I will look into OBS as it is new to me. Thanks for the suggestion!
There are at least three videos that I could pre-record now that you mention it. I will probably have to trim some of my content down or re-jig it.
I will certainly do a dry run--I have had enough collabware headaches at work hehe!
Apparently you need 1000 subscribers to use YouTube live streaming...maybe someday!
posted by Calzephyr at 6:59 PM on April 22, 2020
I will look into OBS as it is new to me. Thanks for the suggestion!
There are at least three videos that I could pre-record now that you mention it. I will probably have to trim some of my content down or re-jig it.
I will certainly do a dry run--I have had enough collabware headaches at work hehe!
Apparently you need 1000 subscribers to use YouTube live streaming...maybe someday!
posted by Calzephyr at 6:59 PM on April 22, 2020
Best answer: Jitsi is a pretty nice alternative to other similar platforms; it's free, private, and secure. I've been successfully using it recently with scattered non-techy family.
You might find Jitsi Meet does what you need
posted by anadem at 11:18 AM on April 23, 2020 [2 favorites]
You might find Jitsi Meet does what you need
posted by anadem at 11:18 AM on April 23, 2020 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks, I haven't heard of Jitsi before either.
I sat down and figured out what I'm going to do. All our big summer festivals were cancelled for the summer.
If I can't have the event in the community hall, but the space is still available to me, I'll broadcast from the community hall and have people join online with demo videos on YouTube Premiere. It will be easier to have my own little "studio" for the day than try to do it at home.
If I can't have the event in the community hall and they cancel my booking, I'll set up my office as a studio and we can be together apart.
Thanks so much for all your ideas. It really helped me figure out what to do. Stay safe, sane and sanitized!
posted by Calzephyr at 9:42 AM on April 24, 2020
I sat down and figured out what I'm going to do. All our big summer festivals were cancelled for the summer.
If I can't have the event in the community hall, but the space is still available to me, I'll broadcast from the community hall and have people join online with demo videos on YouTube Premiere. It will be easier to have my own little "studio" for the day than try to do it at home.
If I can't have the event in the community hall and they cancel my booking, I'll set up my office as a studio and we can be together apart.
Thanks so much for all your ideas. It really helped me figure out what to do. Stay safe, sane and sanitized!
posted by Calzephyr at 9:42 AM on April 24, 2020
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posted by oceanjesse at 5:24 PM on April 22, 2020