Part 16: Windows XP vs. Vista: NetMeeting vs. Meeting Space

025: NetMeeting vs. Meeting Space
The features within Vista incorporate two Control Panel Applets – People Near Me and Windows Meeting Space which is the replacement application for Windows NetMeeting in XP. Now-a-days you (an average user) would typically use AIM or MSN for text messaging, video and audio streaming video conferencing needs. Going back with XP, NetMeeting was always there but no icon would notify the user of it’s existence – you’ll end up trying to search your hard drive and finding it’s ‘conf.exe’ application file under your Program Files/NetMeeting folder to get it to work. The only advantage in using NetMeeting or Meeting Space in Vista over AIM and MSN is the Remote Access and White Board features built-in.

I personally never really used NetMeeting as I never had a need for it’s use. Of course back in the days when instant messaging was in it’s infancy NetMeeting was more than just a communication tool for me – it was a learning tool. I would commonly talk to friends or technical advisors about difficult homework questions from hundreds of miles away. The one disadvantage I found about Vista’s Meeting Space was the annoying pop-up window about People Near Me – prompting me to login or sign onto the service.

For average use, NetMeeting or Meeting Space is typically used in closed and safe environments where Remote Access and White Board capabilities are needed more so than a simple chat message.

Windows Vista - People Near Me - Settings