# "Whiteboard" style chat program
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiteboard-style-chat-program/277751
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [December 2, 2004, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiteboard-style-chat-program/277751 "2004-12-02T19:56:05Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@crozell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crozell)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2004, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiteboard-style-chat-program/277751/1 "2004-12-02T19:56:05Z")
In the near future, I will have to work remotely with some colleagues. We are considering using a chat program to hold work discussions. The problem is, much of what we do involves a lot of math and drawings, which is difficult to convey quickly through typing or voice.
I have heard of chat programs that have a “whiteboard” feature where each party can hand draw sketches/equations on a blank screen that is seen by everyone simultaneously. Does anyone know if such a program exists that is both free (or very cheap) and multiplatform (across windows, mac and linux)? I have tried searching, but I am mostly turning up non-chat programs (just for use on a local machine) or links to physical whiteboards for sale at office supply stores.
Thank you for your help!
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### Author:  [@Chimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimpy)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2004, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiteboard-style-chat-program/277751/2 "2004-12-02T20:03:57Z")
I know MSN Messenger has a whiteboard application through netmeeting, but I’m not sure how widely compatable it is.
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### Author:  [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2004, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiteboard-style-chat-program/277751/3 "2004-12-02T20:05:35Z")
You can do this on Yahoo, with their “Doodle” IMVironment. It features a row of crayons, thereby lowering the tone perhaps, but it is a free way to exchange freehand writings on a white surface.
You access it by clicking the IMVironment button at the lower-right -hand corner of a PM window, and selecting See all IMVironments \>\> Interactive Fun \>\> Doodle.
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### Author:  [@audreyayn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audreyayn)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2004, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiteboard-style-chat-program/277751/4 "2004-12-02T20:46:18Z")
You might try [http://www.groupboard.com/](http://www.groupboard.com/)
They offer free white boards for websites that might fill your needs.
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### Author:  [@parkov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parkov)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2004, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiteboard-style-chat-program/277751/5 "2004-12-02T21:03:55Z")
[Link-Systems](http://www.link-systems.com) offers whiteboards tailored to math and business applications, but they’re not free.
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### Author:  [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2004, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiteboard-style-chat-program/277751/6 "2004-12-02T22:24:32Z")
In my line of work I’ve run across WebEx and Interwise. Both of these firms offer what you’re looking for.
WebEx works on both Windows and Linux. I do not know about MacOS.
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### Author:  [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2004, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiteboard-style-chat-program/277751/7 "2004-12-02T22:45:45Z")
I second WebEx. It has a great interactive interface that allows people to raise their hands, utilize a white board, and share applications, powerpoints, etc.
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### Author:  [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)
#### Post date: [December 2, 2004, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiteboard-style-chat-program/277751/8 "2004-12-02T23:45:57Z")
ICQ used to have whiteboards. But I don’t know if they still do.