A friend of mine is in sales and doesn't like the software she is using for conference meetings online because she can't control the slides. She never knows if her customers are looking at the right slides when she is talking. What software would you recommend her using so she can take better control of her meetings via phone? (Her budget is cut -- like everyone's.) Is there anything out there other than WebEx? a creative solution?

Check these out for just presentation. Some are free for limited presentation audiences.
dimdim.com
yugma.com

readytalk.com

You can control whether or not participants can change slides via the Attendee Privileges function in WebEx. I'm not totally sure I understand what her problem is.

Agree with Amy- you can set controls, but if the issue is "not sure they are on the same slide per tech issues"- the only workaround I've seen used is "the mole".

Trusted team member attending presentation using the most common or lowest-denominator settings of audience members- able to send a "heads up" if they aren't getting the screens the presenter sends.

Inelegant, but actually effective. Real easy if you use VOIP, and the presenter has a mobile that can receive simple TXT: "STUCK ON 2".

I like elluminate - http://www.elluminate.com - For up to three people it is free. Its very easy to use.