Have you ever wanted to add PowerPoint¨ visuals to your audioconference, demonstrate desktop software or web pages to remote audiences, or conduct instant polls with far-flung groups? Now there's an easy way.

Instructional Communications Systems (ICS) recently announced that a web conferencing option has been added to the audio, data and video conferencing services available for UW and governmental programs and meetings. The new service which utilizes PlaceWare, is called "WisLine Web" and combines audioconferencing with live, web conferencing.

To join a WisLine Web conference, users simply link to an assigned web address to interact with a program's visuals and dial the WisLine conference service to participate on audio.

"Faculty and staff can now deliver any presentation or meeting content, in real time, to anyone with a Web browser and a speakerphone," according to Marcia Baird, ICS Director. "Through WisLine Web, presenters can easily share and discuss a variety of visuals with participants across the state and around the world."

"Presenters can also conduct instant polls to gain feedback, take participants on Web site tours, collaborate using whiteboards, demonstrate software programs and display any application on a presenter's desktop." Users can dialogue, ask text questions and chat with others in the sessions.

All types of presentations, seminars and meetings can be held via WisLine Web, from large scale presentations to one-on-one project meetings. Users can control their entire presentations right from their desktops, choosing what types of visuals to display, plus how and when to interact with audiences. During smaller, collaborative meetings, all participants can easily use the different presentation tools.

To participate in WisLine Web sessions, participants need a speakerphone, an Internet connection and a Java-enabled browser (Netscape 4.x or later or Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x or later).

To familiarize UW faculty, staff and WI governmental agencies with this new type of conferencing, ICS is offering one-hour training sessions on WisLine Web and developing a WisLine Web manual with case studies. December sessions are set for: Dec 6, 7, 12 and 13. The December 6 and 12 demonstrations will be held using the virtual meeting place (designed for smaller, collaborative work groups and teams), and the December 7 and 13 sessions will use the virtual auditorium space (designed for larger group presentations). You're welcome to try out either or both types of virtual meeting spaces. All sessions start at 10 a.m. and last one hour. (Reservations are required)

For information on PlaceWare CLICK: http://www.placeware.com/learn/index.html For more information on WisLine Web CLICK: http://www.uwex.edu/ics/wlweb