OpenDesktop module
From MoodleDocs
The OpenDesktop v1.0 was released on October 5, 2009 and combines Moodle with a virtual onlinedesktop. You can start your personal onlinedesktop directly in Moodle and let your students watch it or participate in it.
Features
- Start you personal onlinedesktop with two clicks
- Collaborate online with real-time desktop-sharing
- Use collaborative tools far more effective than whiteboards & co
- Make web conferences in real-time with audio/video and desktop in sync
- In combination with skype you can enjoy best video/audio quality as the onlinedesktop does not affect your upload-bandwidth
- Let course participants around the world watch your desktop in high resolution
- Access and edit your files anytime anywhere
- Assign capabilities: start own desktop, watch desktop of other course members, watch and control desktop of other course members
How to use the OpenDesktop
What you need
- Java Runtime Environment 1.5 or newer has to be installed on your computer. Check if it is installed at [1]. Or download the latest version at [2].
- We recommend to use FireFox Browser, as Internet Explorer allows only the use of auto-size desktop and not custom sizes.
- If you want to use the OpenDesktop on a Mac you will have to do some tricks:
- Boot with another Operating system, like from a Ubuntu LiveCD
- Install a virtual machine on your Mac (for example: Virtualbox with Ubuntu as OS)
Getting started
- Select the activity->Add an activity->OpenDesktop
- Adjust the settings:
- If you want to test the OpenDesktop for the first time, you just fill in title and description and save.
- Display OpenDesktop in: Here you can determine if your onlinedesktop launches in a new window (recommended) or the same window.
- Display size: If you select auto, the actual size of your browser-window will be the size of your Onlinedesktop. If you choose a custom size, your Browser will be resized to this size and the Onlinedesktop will open with custom size.
- Language: Choose your language for the desktop. There are more than 60 languages supported.
- Quality: Defines the display-quality of your onlinedesktop: A higher quality could result in slower reaction of the desktop if you use a server with low bandwith or an old server.
Launch your desktop
Define roles
Installation (for Moodle Administrators)
- Download the module from Moodle modules and plugins database or use this direct link
- Unzip opendesktop.zip and place the folder "opendesktop" in moodleroot/mod/
- Get a free test-account from Edulabs Testaccount Registration
- Fill in your password and username in Admin->Modules->Activities->OpenDesktop and leave the other settings unchanged
- Install your own OVD-Servers see installation instructions at Ulteo Open Virtual Desktop Installation or continue using the edulabs servers.
- Adjust the module settings as needed
- Enjoy the new dimension of online-cooperation ;-)
Further questions
For questions and additional feature request, please contact david (at) edulabs.org You can also test this module before installation at [3] Follow the links to the moodle course and request a testing session.
Upcoming Features
- Open course files directly from within the desktop without downloading the files
- Have all course files directly accessible on the desktop
- View who exactly is watching your desktop (right now you can only see the number of people watching)
- ...