OpenDesktop module

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

add opendesktop to your course

• 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.

Installation (for Moodle Administrators)

• Download the module from Moodle modules and plugins database
• 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)
• ...