Technical configuration of the Nablus TelePresence Project
AYUNI - Hardware configuration
The point is to be mobile, and to use technologies that are available to the average PC user. This is not so easy, since the technologies of today (which will surely improve very soon), are ALMOST there, meaning one really has to stretch the existing features in order to achieve what we wanted.
As basic platform I'm using my Sony VAIO laptop (PentiumII, MPEG build in).
Attached to it is a portable Video Camera - NogaTech (got it from MCO), connected through a PCMCIA Video/Audio card.
The internet connection is done with a cellular modem and phone - MIRS technology of Motorola (from my tests, all the other cellular phones don't give a stable data line. With the MIRS I get slow line, only 9600 bps, but stable).
Both the laptop and the cellular phone have electric chargers from the car battery, so we can recharge the batteries on the way.
AYUNI - Software configuration
There are few software tools that enable video-conferencing, so one would think this would be an easy mission. But, when it comes to practically using it, especially with portable equipment and slow communication lines, these software packages simply don't work.
We tried MS-NetMeeting and Vocaltec-Iphone5, and others. Even ICQ, as means of direct text messaging was too heavy for the system.
Eventually, we came up with a hybrid solution, and its added value is that others can watch us too.
The main window is a netscape browser window, with a panel to lauch all the other components. It also shows the board page, which will change as we proceed, showing a map of our route and filming locations, etc.
Each of us (Neora, Riyad, and also Nimrod in the support) is using NetSnap software to broadcast our video. Smaller streaming image and larger still images (refreshed every few seconds).
We have chat communication between ourselves and can invite others, using AOL Instant Messanger. It is launched from the panel mentioned above, and creates a room called Nablus, for all our interactions.
For voice interaction we are using PureVoice as recorder and compressor, transferring its files using AIM. (any other voice utilities gave very poor performance).
Additional visuals come from Riyad's family site, and several Nablus references on the net.
And of course, there's NetGammon, the game we play so much!