Comparison with Software Solutions
There are always questions being asked about the difference between a computer management hardware solution like Videodidactâ and relatively cheap solutions using software. In this article, we will not compare any features but instead point out the differences in each concept.
Software solutions are cheaper than hardware because they need to use everything that is available in the computer classroom. This includes computer memory, keyboards, monitors and most importantly the existing data network. Hardware solutions like Videodidactâ operate independent of the computers installed in the classroom. They have their own memory, their own keyboards and monitors but again most importantly they have their own separate imaging networking system, which is additionally installed in the classroom.
A computer management system like Videodidactâ handles images. Images are Mbytes big, data’s only Kbytes. For example, if the instructor has a monitor working in 1024 x 768 pixels, the image will be 786.432 bytes x 3 colors = 2,36 Mbytes big. If this image travels from the instructor to 20 students then the networking system has to transfer 20 x 2,36 Mbytes = 47,19 Mbytes. Now, every time the instructor is making a change in the screen, the new image with 47 Mbytes has to travel over the network to the students. If the instructor wants to send a movie clip he/she is sending 47 Mbytes x 60 per second = 2,83 Gigabytes every second over the network. A compression of 10:1(quality?) may help but uses a lot of computer time and still 4,7 Mbytes per second have to be send, which equals to 37 megabits. Please note: Some representatives of software solutions claim that they only transfer ‘the changed information’ and not the whole screen. This could be, however, any time a window is opened a new application is started or the general information within the screen changes because you are scrolling etc. etc., once again you have the heavy traffic on the line. In addition, if e.g. the teacher is using a web page in his/her lesson and they were to click on a link or have to scroll down, more than 90% of that screen has to be sent again. Unfortunately, with this heavy network traffic the web page comes up much slower.
Reliability Problems
It’s easy to see that hardware is more reliable than software. By using software the consequences if the system should fail can be costly and time consuming. Restarts, set-ups, additional memory, up-dates, up-grades etc. are usually necessary. Videodidactâ hardware is not at all involved with any software. This hardware solution is so solid and reliable that we give a 3-year warranty on all parts.
Different Operating Systems
In the future, instructors will be teaching with different operating systems like Windows, Linux, Mac’s and others. So the question is: Will the software run under any other operating system besides the one that is offered? What will it cost to update the software? Finally, will the supplier of the software still be around to do the up-date?
The Videodidactâ system works independently of any operating system that the instructor is using. Whether it is Windows today or NT and Linux tomorrow. Even a mix in the classroom would not matter at all.
Handling Problem
When a classroom management system is controlled by software, it needs to transfer the images via the installed network. In order to operate all features of the software, pop-up windows are needed. With these pop-up windows, the teacher “clicks” on the icon of the feature they will use. The drawback of this is, that the software that is being used (word processing, spreadsheets etc.) will always be interrupted with these handling windows. These windows do not belong to the teaching software therefore creating a nuisance to the user. The easiest way to compare the user friendliness of both systems is to look at the two-page manual of the Videodidactâ system. Compare this manual with the one of the software solutions. You will clearly see the simplicity of the Videodidactâ system.
Another thought
We guarantee that Videodidactâ will increase the efficiency of the trainer by 50 - 100% and avoid the problems that software-related solutions create. If we cannot prove this to you, we are prepared to take the system back within 4 weeks after it is installed. We have witnessed many things in this business over the last 20 years. As a result, we are so confident that our product has the ability to create better students, in a shorter time, with less stress. During this time, we have seen the pitfalls accredited to poor selection of software and inadequate hardware solutions. That is why Videodidactâ is preferred among all of our customers. Our best customers are former software users who have made the switch to our product.
The real problem with software solution is, that they seem to do the same as hardware. Only after using it in the classroom they will show the described problems above. A side-to-side comparison of a software solution versus a hardware solution is perhaps the only way to see the ultimate difference between the two. After witnessing the hardware product with your own eyes you will see why this solution is the best solution for the interactive classroom. Try to use a software solution in your classroom and then switch to Videodidact. In our opinion, these two solutions cannot be compared at all. Comparing Videodidact with software solutions is like comparing a bicycle and a limousine….which would you choose?
