Webinar: The New Way to Webconference?

Lindsay Patros from Spreadshirt (and creator of the rocking pro-Pittsburgh blog I HEART PGH) invited the attendees of last November's PodCamp Pittsburgh to take part in a very cool online meet-up powered by a new service I'd never heard of until today: Webinar.

In a nutshell, Webinar appears to be a cross between Power Point and TalkShoe. Participants in a web-based seminar can call a specific phone number, enter an access code and join the conversation in process. The web-based software allows them to see the graphics and websites the moderators are referencing in real time, complete with mouse movement and click-throughs. Participants can also ask questions via phone or through an instant message system, and the moderators can respond as they see fit within the seminar's flow.

I haven't used the system yet from the moderator's POV, but as a participant in Spreadshirt's merchandising webinar, I can say I appreciate the potential of the service and I can already see ways it could be used for upcoming PodCamps. Future PodCamp organizers: take note!