Data conferences [This information is currently under development] Microsoft Data Conferencing Service provides the server for Microsoft NetMeeting data collaboration. It hides the complexities of setting up and joining a conference. This leaves users free to work with the NetMeeting data collaboration features.

Exchange support for multipoint data conferencing allows you to communicate and collaborate with other people in real-time over the Internet or a corporate intranet. NetMeeting enables you to share applications, exchange information through a shared clipboard, transfer files, collaborate on a shared whiteboard, and communicate with a text-based chat feature. Also, support for the T.120 data conferencing standard enables Data Conferencing Service to interoperate with other T.120-based products and services.

Multipoint data conferencing contains the following features:

- Application sharing. You can share a program running on one computer with other participants in the conference. Participants can review the same data or information, and see the actions as the person sharing the application works on the program (for example, editing content or scrolling through information.) Participants can share Windows-based applications transparently without any special knowledge of the application's capabilities.

  The person sharing the application can choose to collaborate with other people in a call, and all the participants can take turns editing or controlling the application. Only the person sharing the program needs to have the application installed on his or her computer.

| Note In a data conference where participants are using NetMeeting versions 2.x and 3.0, those using version 3.0 can take control of a document shared by any user. Participants using NetMeeting version 2.x can take control only of a document shared by other version 2.x users.

- Shared clipboard. The shared clipboard enables you to exchange its contents with other people using familiar cut, copy, and paste operations. For example, you can copy information from a local document and paste the contents into a shared application as part of a group collaboration. This capability provides seamless exchange of information between shared applications and local applications.
- File transfer. With file transfer capability, you can send a file in the background to one or all of the people in the current call. You can right-click on a person and choose to send them a file, or you can drag a file into the Microsoft NetMeeting window and have the file automatically sent to each person, who can then accept or decline receipt. The file transfer occurs in the background as everyone continues sharing an application, using the whiteboard, or chatting.
- Whiteboard. The whiteboard is a multipage, multiuser drawing application that enables you to sketch diagrams, organization charts, or display other graphic information. Whiteboard is object-oriented (versus pixel-oriented), allowing you to move and manipulate the contents by clicking and dragging with the mouse. In addition, you can use a remote pointer or highlighting tool to point out specific contents or sections of shared pages. This capability extends the application sharing feature of NetMeeting by supporting spontaneous collaboration on a common drawing surface.
- Chat. You can type text messages to share common ideas or topics with other people, or record meeting notes and action items as part of a collaborative process. You can also use Chat to communicate in the absence of audio support. The NetMeeting "whisper" feature allows you to have a separate, private conversation with one of the conference participants during a group chat session. From the Chat window, click on the person's name in the Send To list, and type your private text message that only you and the selected person will see.

Data conferencing clients

To participate in a data conference, you need a T.120-compliant data conferencing program such as Microsoft NetMeeting. Exchange Conferencing Service supports NetMeeting versions 2.0, 2.1, 2.11, or 3.0. Version 3.0 provides security.

Data conference etiquette

Here are a few suggestions for achieving a positive conferencing experience with the maximum benefit to all participants:

- Communicate your actions and intentions to other members of the conference. For example, when collaborating on an application, don't take control of the application without first communicating your intent. This avoids confusion as control of the mouse and keyboard are passed between participants.
- Don't share applications unnecessarily. Doing so consumes network bandwidth and occupies desktop space. When you do share an application, remember that animations or embedded video consume network resources.
- If you want to send a file to a single participant, exercise caution that you don't send it to everyone in the conference.
- Always observe common rules of civility. If you wouldn't do something during a traditional face-to-face meeting, don't do it during an online conference.