Thought I'd share this with the community.

Thought I'd share this with the community. One of my LinkedIn groups posted a somewhat negative review of HOA's and their capabilities. Here is my response:

Let me provide a different perspective about Google+ Hangouts On Air. I've been using the application for about a year and host an intermittent HOA (Hang Out on Air) dealing with career and training issues as well as being a guest panelist on a number of other "shows." I've experienced all of the issues detailed above and discovered that issues such as lagging between audio and video were on my end instead of Googles. Lag can be caused by slow internet speeds and buffering. I'd suggest using an Ethernet connection rather than depending on wireless routers to stream your audio and video. A good Ethernet cable will run you around $20.00. Additionally the camera that came as standard equipment on your lap top doesn't have the capability to do webinars or training and produces a poor quality of video. (Trust me, I learned the hard way.) I purchased a Logitech C920 web camera for $64.00 on Amazon. This web camera gets the highest ratings for non-professional web camera's. Cisco makes a great web camera with it's own drivers that retails for around $320.00, however my wife told me that we are going to Ireland before I start buying $300 web camera's. Finally, check your computer and it's capabilities. If you are looking to do professional webinars and conferencing make sure you processor and RAM are up to snuff. 

Here is a link that provides you with a checklist when using HOA's :

 http://www.mastery.thehangouthelper.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/HOA-Host-Startup-Checklist-v5.pdf

Google+ and it's Hangouts are free which means Google doesn't email you every time there is an update, you have to check for them, and yes it is a bit of a chore but consider that Go To Meeting's, for example, cheapest package runs $79.00 per organizer per month and in all honesty I've experienced some of the same issues attending webinars on that platform that others say they experience in Google+

What it comes down to is the user and their capability in using the platform, free or paid. I've been fortunate to learn some valuable tips and techniques from some Google+ veterans. I use Google+ because its consistent and my clients love the ability to interact with me in real time as video panel members.