HorizonLive: Powerful Tool For Interactive Online Experiences

(originally published at WebCT.com August 1, 2000)

I had been hearing people talk about a slick product called HorizonLive that allows interactive presentations over the Internet. I got a chance to see what all the fuss was about during the WebCT 2000 Conference in Georgia last month. What I experienced was my first taste of fully synchronous communication that supports video, audio, chat, and support for PowerPoint presentations simultaneously.

This java-based program works in both Internet Explorer and Netscape browsers and is server-side dependent, requiring no software to download other than perhaps the RealPlayer plug-in. The interface the user sees is a screen divided into up to four sections. In the top left of the screen is a live audio-video feed from the presenter to all participants. On the right the presenter can show web sites, PowerPoint slides, or even “chalkboard” diagrams drawn with a mouse or stylus. Along the bottom of the screen is a chat function that allows the presenter to interact with the participants through text messaging. There is also a window that lists the names of who is participating in the chat. The inclusion or exclusion of any of these features, as well as the interface layout, is up to the presenter. Participants can see and hear the presenter, but the presenter can only see the text chat of the viewer. Two-way audio support is planned for the fall.

Video for HorizonLive is transmitted from the presenter in RealAudio format to take full advantage of bandwidth constraints, with QuickTime support due in the fall. At a 56 K modem speed, the quality of the experience was surprisingly high, although at 33 K speed and lower, it may be wise for the participant to choose the lower bandwidth option when logging on, disabling video transmission.

One of the most powerful features of HorizonLive is the ability to easily archive any online event that has taken place in its entirety. This means that any interactive class or presentation can be stored online to be experienced by anyone else when they choose. When viewing an archived event, what was said in the chat is also replayed so that real time participants’ questions, answers, and interactions is also recorded. In addition, if anyone anywhere else on the Internet is viewing the same archived presentation at the same time as you, you can chat and discuss the event with them live.
WebCT’s e-Learning Hub will be using HorizonLive Technology for a series of online events called e-Colloquia to be webcast starting in September. Speakers will include guest speakers for various WebCT online communities beginning with Murray Goldberg, founder of WebCT.

To view an example of what HorizonLive can do, there is an archive of Carol Vallone, president of WebCT as she spoke about the company and it’s future during the Georgia Conference Center in Athens in July. T1 or 56K plus connection. Dial-up connection at 28.8 (audio only). At the logon screen, enter as a guest and supply your name as indicated.

Update (February 2001): HorizonLive has released a new product designed exclusively for instructional environments called OfficeHoursLive.