HorizonLive 2.6 released

HorizonLive, a provider of tools for live instruction, training and meetings over the Internet, has announced the release of their latest, Web-based, “thin-client” synchronous platform.

The HorizonLive 2.6 browser-based architecture requires no custom plug-ins, add-ons or downloads, is highly scalable and accommodates Mac, PC and Unix operating systems, according to John Walbert of HorizonLive. Implementation is fast with no need for complex technical assistance, he added. Presenters setup meetings or create virtual classrooms using a wide range of tools unique to online delivery including streaming video/audio, live 2-way voice over IP, application sharing and a virtual whiteboard. Any event can easily be recorded and indexed for playback at any time, Walber said.

“HorizonLive is the only live eLearning solution truly supporting the Mac platform for both presenters and participants,” he told MacCentral.

Walber said that HorizonLive 2.6 delivers clear-cut value and benefits to both corporate and educational institutions by:

Significantly reducing training costs and enhancing productivity by diminishing travel and lowering infrastructure expenses related to face-to-face meetings and events;

Broadening the reach, accessible market and potential scale of education and training initiatives by eliminating barriers related to geography, time and distance;

Complementing learning and knowledge management systems to offer “blended” eLearning solutions;

Enabling for-profit education and training organizations to “package” and monetize their intellectual property and content via HorizonLive.

“We are very pleased with the advancements represented in HorizonLive 2.6, especially for the avid users of Macintosh platforms.” said Steve Kann, HorizonLive founder and chief engineer. “Horizonlive 2.6 incorporates QuickTime audio and video, and full featured application sharing, for both the presenter and participant in a live session, proving once again that Mac users are ‘First Class Citizens’ with HorizonLive, not an afterthought.”

The “presenter” side of HorizonLive requires a Mac, Windows or Unix machine with 32MB of RAM and ReallEncoder 5.1or RealProducer and a Web browser.