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In the talk titled "Ruby and Virtual Teams," presented by Jim Mulholland during the LoneStarRuby Conf 2008, the speaker discusses the tools and strategies utilized by distributed teams, particularly within the Ruby community. Molholland, representing the company Squeegee based in Houston, shares insights about effectively managing communication and project coordination among team members located across various regions, which also includes a member in China.

The key points covered in the video are as follows:

- **Importance of Communication**: Virtual teams rely heavily on robust communication tools to maintain workflow and collaboration.
- **Conference Call Tools**: The team utilizes freeconferencecaller.com for daily scrums and client meetings, noting the tool's cost-effectiveness despite potential long-distance charges.
- **Alternative Communication Methods**: While freeconferencecaller.com is primary, tools like Skype are also mentioned for members who might incur long-distance fees.
- **Email Communication**: The team employs Gmail for professional communication, which simplifies email management and fosters effective collaboration.
- **Real-time Communication with Campfire**: The use of Campfire for instant messaging allows the team to have quick discussions for client and project needs.
- **Project Management Tools**: Redmine is highlighted as a preferred project management tool, appreciated for its features and active development community. Basecamp is also commonly used for file sharing and client interactions.
- **Version Control with GitHub**: The introduction of GitHub has streamlined source control and idea sharing among team members.
- **Time Tracking Solutions**: A custom-built solution alongside QuickBooks online and other time tracking applications helps manage reporting and invoicing efficiently.
- **Scheduling Across Time Zones**: Managing a colleague's work according to the team's time zone, despite international travel challenges, is emphasized as crucial for maintaining productivity.

In conclusion, Jim Mulholland’s presentation provides valuable insights into the importance of using the right tools for communication and project management in distributed teams, especially for those positioned in the Ruby development sphere. He emphasizes the need for constant coordination and shows that with the right mix of technology, virtual teams can overcome the complexities of remote work.

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