Web Worker Daily

Last fall I wrote about the launch of CalliFlower as a fully-featured conference call service from the initial invitation through to the final archiving of a session. CalliFlower has two levels of service: a basic free service and a flat-rate premium service, launched earlier this month, that provides additional features such as document sharing and call access through about 50 local dial-in numbers in North America and Europe. During a call content is generated, ranging from the agenda and participants to a chat wall and shared documents. Calls may also be recorded. But most importantly, call sessions are archived for future recall. Last fall I hosted one-hour interactive calls featuring OnState Virtual PBX and InnerPass Share and Collaborate; click on the links and you can view the archived sessions, including a link to the recording. Later these call sessions were referenced in the SaundersLog SquawkBox blog (here and here) and Skype Journal (here and here).

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By Jake Kuramoto

Back in 2003, I worked in a cube farm at Oracle’s corporate headquarters in Redwood Shores. I had been commuting an hour and a half each way, five days a week, since 2001, and I really wanted to work out a telecommuting arrangement with my manager. I started out working from home a couple days a week, and eventually, I grew into a permanent web worker.

After five years of working remotely, the one problem I’ve yet to solve is the conference call. Or more accurately, the conference call where I’m the only one on the phone. If you telecommute, you’re savvy to this problem, and even if you don’t, you can probably relate.

Here’s the scenario: it’s a handful of people sitting in a conference room and one person on the phone. The more people in the room and on the phone, the bigger the problem.

All typical meeting problems become amplified when you’re on the phone.

(Photo credit: Flickr user morecoffeeplease)

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