# Live chat and whiteboard software? For free? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 19, 2006, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/live-chat-and-whiteboard-software-for-free/377122 "2006-10-19T17:59:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rainy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2006, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/live-chat-and-whiteboard-software-for-free/377122/1 "2006-10-19T17:59:52Z")
There apparently are lots of higher end software packages (Web Ex, Net Meeting) that allow you to chat with folks and share images, or mark-up documents as if you were both/all standing at a white board in a conference room. Is there a free-ware cheap-ware version of this kind of software that anyone is aware of? I’ll admit I really only know of Net Meeting by name, so please clue me in if it is free. The stay-at-home-dad-who’s-trying-to-do-contract-drafting-and-design-work would find a free piece of software to do these functions extremely useful 🙂 thanks -rainy ---
**Author:** ![bafaa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@bafaa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bafaa)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2006, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/live-chat-and-whiteboard-software-for-free/377122/2 "2006-10-19T18:06:38Z")
Net Meeting is indeed free and if you have Windows most likely it is already installed. Here’s the homepage: [http://www.microsoft.com/windows/NetMeeting/default.ASP](http://www.microsoft.com/windows/NetMeeting/default.ASP) And BTW, if you have XP, Net Meeting is still there. Click, Start, Run, and enter conf.exe. I think most of of the popular IM programs (Yahoo, MSN, etc) offer some kind of sharing too but I don’t know too much about that. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2006, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/live-chat-and-whiteboard-software-for-free/377122/3 "2006-10-19T18:10:14Z")
The latest version of MSN Messenger has all of that. Last I checked Yahoo did too but it was primitive - but this was a year or 2 ago. ---
**Author:** ![lizardling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f4b2a3/32.png) [@lizardling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lizardling)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2006, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/live-chat-and-whiteboard-software-for-free/377122/4 "2006-10-19T21:18:49Z")
Check out places like [writeboard.com](http://writeboard.com) and zohowriter, although those are geared more toward writing as opposed to actual whiteboarding. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2006, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/live-chat-and-whiteboard-software-for-free/377122/5 "2006-10-19T21:35:26Z")
Last time I had any experience with it, I much prefered using VNC. VNC is really intended as a remote access solution, but it allows several connections on the same desktop, and works nicely as meetingware. Realvnc: > **[RealVNC® - Remote access software for desktop and mobile | RealVNC](https://www.realvnc.com/en/)** > > Secure, cost-effective remote access and support for your computer, from your desktop or mobile device. VNC® Connect enables cloud or direct connectivity. ---
**Author:** ![Marathon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7cd45c/32.png) [@Marathon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marathon)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2006, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/live-chat-and-whiteboard-software-for-free/377122/6 "2006-10-19T22:01:06Z")
You may find some of the offerings at [37 signals](http://www.37signals.com) useful. They stress intuitive, simple interfaces for groups or small business. In particular you might like Basecamp and Campfire. All of it is based on their servers so there’s no software to install, and based on your needs, there are different options for pricing (starting with free).