rabble.ca opens video commons: a free video conference for the rest of us

This week rabble.ca launched the rabble video commons -- a video meeting place where anybody with a webcam can drop by and videochat with up to two dozen friends, family or colleagues -- for free. Using innovative video conferencing technology, rabble.ca is creating a video commons that's like an online cocktail party, speakers' corner, video phone or, whatever rabble visitors want to make of it.

"We're excited to see how Canadians use the virtual video space," said rabble.ca publisher, Kim Elliott. "We already know our audience loves to talk, discuss, debate and organize online. This is a brand new space for them to do just that."

To drop in on the rabble video commons users just visit video commons at http://rabble.ca/rabbletv/commons. If they have a webcam, the commons will recognize their microphone (a headset or headphones is advised) and their video camera. There is no need to download any software. If other folks are in the commons they'll jump right into a conversation with them. If no one is there, users can invite friends, family members or colleagues to hang out with them. They can even let folks know they're using common social media tools like Twitter and Facebook.

"It's like a party or meeting room where you never know who will show up," said Wayne MacPhail, rabble's Director of Emerging Media. "We're going to leave it unstructured and hope the video commons community itself starts to self-organize around the space," MacPhail explained. "We're certain our users will discover uses for the commons we never imagined."

rabble.ca is Canada's most popular source of independent news and views, and features original news, opinion, book reviews, podcasts and live and pre-recorded video exploring issues facing Canadians. rabble.ca is in its ninth year of providing 100% free news content to Canadians. rabble is a non-profit, community supported organization.