Internet Conferencing – video web meetings

Nathalie Fiset asked:




Today, the term “web conferencing” is used almost exclusively to refer to different types of business communication that occur over the internet. The roots of the term, however, indicate a past that’s radically different. Did you know that this term was actually used to refer to any type of internet communication, whether for business or for leisure?

In the dim past of the internet, people used to communicate to each other using online bulletin boards -no instant messaging, no video messaging, just posting online messages for others to read. This form of communication was the first to be dubbed with the term. Of course, this early form of online communication could barely be called better than actually talking to other people over the phone.

Nowadays, internet conversations take place in real-time, with people able to share ideas and pieces of information in the blink of an eye. The most noticeable improvement in professional internet communications today is the fact that the technology used is definitely honed for business use. This is where the rift between social internet communication and professional inline meetings occur. People today make use of the term “web conference” to refer to business communications simply because the technology is very different.

Technologies used in internet conferences are of such a level that only people involved in businesses can actually afford them -oftentimes only to rent. This is partially because businesses have very specific needs regarding communication. Information can be crucial when you are running a company and people’s ways of living hang in the balance.

This means that certain factors often overlooked by casual users of the internet need to be seriously considered by the company. They need to be able to have the type of communication which provides them with the information they need when they need it. Because of this, web conferencing technology today may also lack some of the frills enjoyed by other users of the internet.

Certain types of software used in online conferences are used in order to simulate an actual meeting. That is, people engaged in these activities are empowered with the various tools they need in order to reduce the interference caused by technology. Although people sometimes look at web technology as bridging gaps, you have to realize that there are a variety of interferences caused by the same technology. Truly, an online conference is not the same as an actual meeting. This is the problem that technology tries to eliminate.

By utilizing various types of software, people engaged in internet conversations are able to present various ideas in very interactive ways. They are able to utilize video conferencing software in order to increase he interaction between participants. Through video conferencing, people are better able to communicate ideas to each other. As we all know, a big part of communication occurs non-verbally, through various signals sent by our actions.

There are also different types of software which allow people to present their ideas in various ways. Through web conferencing technology today, people are able to pitch their ideas to others in a way which ensures that the listeners are able to understand and appreciate those ideas completely. Through animations, slideshows, video and audio presentations, people are able to ensure that they are sending their ideas effectively.

No business can be more crucial than trading. Whether people trade stocks or currency, they need information which will help them make crucial decisions which could make or break their businesses. Because of this, online communications for these people need to present them, not with video or audio but with information relevant to their trading. People involved in trading need to have information quickly and need to be able to transmit their decisions quickly, when those decisions can still matter.

The internet is just one of those pieces of technology which are able to turn themselves from convenience to need. Because of the benefits brought about by this development to businesses, people today depend on the technology in order to maintain an edge over the competition. This just goes to show you how much technology matters in the world today. Hopefully, this short article has helped you understand the web conferencing better.

Corey

Andrew K Long asked:




Internet video conferencing is a useful tool for business owners and corporations. At its most basic, it allows users to have real time video conversations. However, it can be much more complex and involve multi-user videos, document sharing, and digital whiteboards.

Internet video conferencing works just like a regular business conference in that people gather for a meeting or presentation. The difference is that these people gather on the internet and can be physically located any place in the world. However, they can still immediately exchange ideas, see each other, and share reports and files.

One way to hold internet video conferencing is to go through a third party provider and there a number of reputable ones around. This makes it easy enough for anyone to do. This option is a good choice for small businesses as it offers all of the basics needed to conduct business with clients and a few employees.

A more advanced way to hold internet video conferencing is to purchase your own conferencing equipment. This choice is best for large businesses and corporations that have an IT department to handle all of the details. This allows for a greater range of features that may be needed to train large groups of people or to hold frequent conferences.

Both methods are beneficial and choosing which one to use depends upon the type of activities you want to do during your conference. For most businesses, choosing an online service is a a more convenient and easier option.

You can find basic internet video conferencing services for free. As you require more functionality, you may need to upgrade to a paid service, but even when you do, the cost is affordable. There are many companies online who offer video conferencing so the best thing to do is compare prices against the details of their terms. Usually the more options and more users you want for your conference, the higher the price will be.

Internet video conferencing has really taken off in the past five years and as a result, prices for conferencing options have come down and webcams have gotten cheaper too. Due to popularity, the marketplace has become flooded with service providers, equipment suppliers, and software choices. Now is a great time to get your business into video conferencing.

You will need a webcam to transmit a video conference and you will need a microphone and speakers. A headset will usually suffice for basic use. If you plan to stand and walk around while you are speaking, you should invest in a quality microphone so attendees will be able to hear you on their computers.

Many companies today have integrated internet video conferencing into their standard business practices. It can keep you in touch with your clients and employees in a more personal way than merely talking on the phone, plus it allows for the transmission of documents and drawings.

Internet video conferencing is also a lot of fun for personal use and because you wouldn’t require options and upgrades like a business would, you can use it for free. The catch with using a free service is that it is limited to connecting with other users of the same service. If you want to talk to someone on a different service, then you must pay a small fee, but since it is VOIP, it is only a few cents per minute.

Internet video conferencing can keep you in touch with family members that live far away and visit with friends even if they live half way around the globe. If you are all on the same service, like Skype, you can talk long distance for free and see each other at the same time. With benefits like these, it is easy to see why this is so popular for business and personal use alike.

Debra

Nathalie Fiset asked:




Online web conferencing is seen by a lot of people today as the next evolution of business. Through This method opf communication, people are able to both network in order to increase the resources of their companies and still be up-to-date on the status of those companies in order to provide direction. There are, however, certain limitations to this relatively new piece of technology that few people learn to consider. As you may realize, knowing the limitation of a tool enables a person to know the fullest extent to which it can be utilized. This means that by assessing the limitations of this valuable tool, you will be able to use it in the best way possible.

One of the biggest advantages that people get from online conferencing is the ability to send data in different forms through long distances. People who make use of this method of conferencing often do so because phone conferencing may not be enough to meet their needs. Online web conferencing offers a variety of ways through which people may be able to send information.

You should first consider the fact that today, through VOIP technology the internet actually offers people a chance to use the internet as a cheaper phone solution. Voice over the Internet Protocol actually allows people to make use of their computers as telephones which can be a much cheaper option than making long-distance calls for a teleconference.

Speaking of options, the different types of long distance conferencing software today actually lets people share more than just their voice. With the different types of technology available today, people are actually able to minimize the effects of distance. They are able to communicate visually, using the web cam. They are also able to send various presentations and documents which could be invaluable in helping others understand the objective of their communication.

Through online web conferencing, you will be able to make sure that the people you want to understand and grasp the import of your message will be able to do so. As you may know, a great part of communication depends on how the receiver perceives a message. By making use of this very versatile piece of technology, you will be able to make sure that you did everything possible to send the message clearly.

This does not mean, however, that online conferencing is perfect. There are actually certain disadvantages faced by people who make use of this technology. The first disadvantage lies in the fact that the technology is still at an early stage of development. Despite the fact that a lot of people today use web conferencing technology casually, there are still a lot of bugs with the system.

Because of the fact that the technology used in an internet meeting is still quite new, people often find that the technology can’t exactly live up to their highest expectations. One example is with video conferencing. Today’s technology allows people to communicate through video. A lot of people expect the experience to be quite similar to actually talking face to face -an idea proliferated by many science fiction movies. However, we haven’t gotten that far yet with technology.

As of today, people still have not found a way of merging the camera and the display which means that you can’t really see eye to eye with whomever you are talking to through the web cam. This can present problems for someone who is used to communicating through eye contact. Online web conferencing just is not the same as actually meeting and talking to someone.

Another disadvantage of web meetings lies in the fact that not many people are proficient enough with the technology to make it practical for common use. This is the reason why a lot of companies still offer online conferencing as a service. Only a few companies have people who can actually set up online web conferences on demand. Others just have to rely on outside help.

When you avail of online web conferencing services, it is always important to make sure that you have technical support to help you out if you have any trouble with the technology. Other than that, you should be able to enjoy the advantages brought to you by the progress of technology.

Allison

Jay Moncliff asked:




Many firms today are looking to cut costs wherever they can. Annual meetings, trainings, product launches, employee meetings and other similar corporate events are traditionally expensive propositions. Web conferencing services can reduce the costs of these meetings and gatherings drastically.

A web conference allows groups of individuals in different locations to have online meetings and discussions via the world wide web. Large corporations, small businesses, families and educational institutions are all taking advantage of this new form of communication. However, most web conferencing is currently done in the business sector.

By reducing the amount of face-to-face meetings, companies are able to reduce travel expenses, meeting costs and overhead. Web conferencing provides the same business to business or business to client interaction at a fraction of the cost.

Utilizing web conferencing services reduces lateness and absenteeism to company meetings, since the meetings are easier and quicker to attend. Employees can view the web cast at a common location or at their own personal computers, depending on how the conference is configured. Additionally, materials and information can be shared equally, making participation more uniform and useful.

Companies that specialize in providing web conferencing services abound on the internet. There is a software and application for almost every size business, and prices vary as widely as the sophistication of the software. Most companies charge per minute, per person, or on a flat rate basis, so be sure to review the rate structure as it pertains to your business.

Some of the companies that provide web conferencing services limit themselves to Windows and Internet Explorer, but others are expanding into Firefox and some of the other browsers. Webex works with the Internet Explorer browser and Windows and is one of the most popular web conferencing services out there. You may also want to check out other providers who charge a flat monthly fee like eBoardroom Suite at about $250 per month if you are planning on heavy utilization.

Microsoft Office LiveMeeting offers any user visiting its website a free 2 week trial. You can have your first web meeting on them. The trial includes meetings with up to 10 attendees for the first 14 days, the ability to embed a web page into your meetings and have all of the participants view it, application sharing and live polling capabilities. After the free trial, you may decide to purchase the software or go with another carrier. With their full software you can even choose to record or archive your meeting.

Whatever software you choose, investigate costs carefully. Price plans vary widely, so decide how you’ll be using the software in advance and choose a plan that will allow you the most access at the least cost. Since some plans charge per participant and others charge per minute, preplanning and choosing the correct plan can make web conferencing services a bargain!

Dorothy

Jimmy Wilson asked:




Having video capabilities with web video conferencing services have advantages of meeting conferencing via the internet. Literally, anyone can use internet web conferencing software to communicate with others. With audio alone using a phone conference call, a conference and its effectiveness is limited, while audio plus video allows you to feel like you’re in the same room with the people you’re talking to and it’s so much more effective and participants are far more attentive.

The time has come for businesses to make use of live video software. There is as much conveyed through facial and body language that cannot be ignored and by having web video conferencing technology as an incredible business tool at your disposal is having the latest in state of the art for sure.

Web video conferencing allows each person to have facial recognition and this creates a much better interaction and memory association of who you were listening to. Name and face recognition go together and eliminates this problem of recall if you’re using internet web conferencing. Most of the time when using audio conferencing alone over the phone, you spend as much time introducing or explaining who is actually talking as the meeting itself, with web video conferencing, this is no longer an issue.

You can actually save a video conference and play it back to any member not available to view it as it was being held. Think of how equally effective that is when you have the whole meeting on visual and audio recall. To further the full capability of web video conferencing software, you can add a previously recorded video to play during your conference call. This allows everyone to watch the same video at the same time and get first viewing in real time.

If you have a large screen video monitor you can have a large crowd of employees watch while other members actively participate in a video conference. This again is a great business tool to see the interactions of management in real time and with face recognition of who is doing or saying what will be expected from all who are viewing the video conference.

If you are looking for a better way of getting more positive results from your company’s meetings and conference calls, then you can get great kudos from the bosses if you offer them the suggestion of using internet video conferencing software. We are all looking to gain better job security on a daily basis and being on the leading edge of what your company can use to stay ahead of the current trends in business tools and technology is a great way to preserve you place in the business.

Web video conferencing software is ideal for so many businesses that you can choose to either lead, follow, or be forced out of the business loop, by not having web video conferencing software at your disposal.

Adam

Tom Cruz asked:




Web video conferencing is a great way to communicate with anyone, whether it is for
business or pleasure. Through the video you can see the person and speak by means of a
microphone or by typing in the text of what you want to say. Most people are now very
familiar with the use of webcams to communicate with friends, but this is very limiting.
Businesses can benefit from video conferencing by means of the Internet by using it to
expand their business without having to spend money on travel. The people who are
involved in the conference can remain in their own offices, rather than have to be out of
the office for a day or two to attend a conference that lasts only a few hours or less.

With video conferencing, meetings can be arranged on very short notice. Anyone who is
out of the office can be involved in the meeting from remote locations. The only
requirements for holding such a conference are a computer, an Internet connection, a
webcam, and speakers. A microphone would be very nice to have, but if it is not
available, the keyboard will do fine. In such a conference, you can communicate with
several different people in different locations simultaneously.

It is not expensive to hold an online videoconference. It is no longer the domain of big
business. It is now a part of education as students regularly receive part of their
instruction in school through videoconferences. They can connect with students in other
parts of the world and learn directly about different regions and peoples instead of
reading about them in books. In remote areas, where there are small numbers of students,
these students now have access to courses that used to be offered only in large schools.
Now one student in a grade can take a course by means of online conferencing where the
instructor is located in a city or center many miles away.

Raymond

Liza Lewis asked:




Web conferencing is considered as one of the very amazing tools to almost everyone who have used it. But it is still a mystery to many, who have not yet used the online conferencing services. There are some people who have used the web conferencing services numerous time but still they come up with some or the other problem during online conferencing. This article will provide a step by step web conferencing preparation guidance to people who are a first time user and will also solve the problem of people who in spite of using the tool multiple time still experiences difficulties.

1) Proper Planning for Better Web Conferencing

When you have thought of arranging a web conference then it means you definitely have something in your mind that you would like to discuss or show others. Make a list of people or staff you want to make a part of your web conference. Create a written document and circulate the message.

2) Adjust Web Camera

Test your web camera in advance so that you don’t waste time in adjusting your camera during the crucial time, this really looks very unprofessional. Adjust the camera in such a way that you are just in the center of the screen and there will still be some 10% head room. Whatever you need during the meeting should be in front of you so that you don’t have to move from the table. Your movement will just display a blurry image, which can distract or irritate others.

3) Check Microphones, Speakers & Headphones

Lock doors and switch off TVs and radios to avoid the unwanted background noise. Use a slim trim headset microphones or earphones that looks sober and does not cover your face. Test your speakers to ensure that they are enough audible for your to hear. I will discourage usage of external speakers because that will create feedbacks. The microphone will also pick up the sound from the external speakers and distract the other participants including you.

4) Dressing up for Improving Web Conferencing Services

Though you are conferencing over the Internet that does not mean you can wear anything. Avoid wearing your bathrobe or other casuals. Get your professional look. Dress up the way you would for a meeting outside the house or in an office.

5) Better Web Conferencing – Lighting

You have already planned where you are going to sit. Keeping in mind about the part of the day your online conferencing program will take place, arrange the lighting set up. Or you can make your sitting arrangement according to the lighting system in the respective room. Considering the fact that lights from behind will make you appear darker in the screen to other participants and light in front of you will illuminate your face and the area around you, decide on your sitting arrangement.

6) Good Internet Connection

Before you think of arranging for a web conferencing program, find out the bandwidth and supporting factors for uninterrupted online conferencing services.

7) Test the Software Before Using Web Conferencing

Before finally using the software on the conference day, test it by making small calls. Learn more about the specific software and the various features available.

These small tips will surely make your web conferencing program a big hit

Leon

Nathalie Fiset asked:




When people hear of the term “live web conferencing”, the first thing that pops into their minds is a meeting composed of people who make decisions involving their collective investments. This image is a fairly common one as a lot of people believe that live internet conferencing generally occurs between heads of corporations. The need for global networking and resource gathering as well as decision making has different company leaders making compromises between staying with the company and traveling around.

Through live web discussions, people who need to travel can do so and still make effective and real-time decisions. This means that through live web conferencing, those who need to can traverse distance in the blink of an eye. Live internet conferencing empowers people to make decisions from wherever they are and still have those decisions counted. Live web meeting means people will never be helpless when it comes to business again.

However, this is not the only purpose of live internet conferencing. One common function that’s commonly overshadowed by the decision-making process is the sharing of information. Not many people realize just how vital information can be in these days. With the right or wrong piece of information, a person can bring an entire corporation to its knees. Because of this, people need to be able to gather needed information quickly. This is where live web meeting comes in.

Through live computer conferencing, people are able to transmit data and information as soon as they get it. This means that decisions can be made more quickly and accurately, thereby enabling people to make more money. Through live web conferencing, people are able to gather and transmit information in different ways, depending on which methods are the most effective.

Through live internet discussions, people are able to transmit data in different forms, such as video and audio. Depending on the nature of the data, either may be more effective in letting people understand it. Because of this variety supported by this technology, people are better able to make sure that they actually manage to communicate information properly.

Another popular use of live web forum today is the selling of ideas. Many people in the marketing business today make use of live internet presentation in order to facilitate meetings with potential clients. As you may realize, getting a potential client to take time and see you can be particularly difficult these days, with people always traveling around. By using live web conferencing, distance wouldn’t matter to those who want to sell their ideas.

Because of live computer conferencing, ideas are exchanged faster. This means that people improve faster and thus, humanity profits as a whole. Because of web conferencing, people are better able to freely express themselves to those who matter. Through this technology, distance is just another figment of the imagination- another urban legend to be dismissed without a second glance or thought.

What makes live internet conversation so popular today, however, is that it does not necessarily have to be utilized for business. In fact, a lot of people are discovering that web conferencing can lead them to tap into the world and feel the pulse of humanity. Through this technology, people are able to connect with each other and exchange ideas or just idle chatter. They are not limited to their locale in their search for friends.

With live web conferencing services, people can talk to each other from different sides of the world without increasing their phone bill. This is because communications via the internet is much cheaper than using the phone line. This ability to reach out to the world gives people an opportunity for learning.

Today, a lot of people are turning to live internet meeting services in order to learn about different topics which they may not have access to within their locality. Today, a lot of people turn to live web discussions in order to learn foreign languages from native speakers. This brings them one step closer to global integration.

As you can see, there are a lot of benefits that can be gotten from live web conferencing. Mind you, the technology is still young and this means that these uses are just the tip of the iceberg.

Rosa

Michael R. Burns asked:




When I first started working for the telephone company in the seventies, the only way you could have a conference call was through the phone company and you had to schedule it in advance and pay around $3.50 per minute. During the late eighties and nineties, conference bridging technology developed to where you could hold reservationless conference calls without an operator and the rate dropped to around 50 cents per minute. Businesses were slow to adopt conferencing, but once they did, their usage increased dramatically. Newer technologies such as web conferencing, using the Internet, have added even more usage and lead to a reduction in pricing. Now that desktop video conferencing technology has emerged and has become economical, conferencing has finally started to migrate to the consumer market.

Consumer markets have been traditionally tough to penetrate in the conferencing arena. Multiple efforts have been tried and most have been ineffective. Teen chat lines, family lines, school lines and patient lines have all been introduced, but very few have taken off to produce any significant amount of usage.

One of the problems has been that consumers have not seen the need for such a product. Another problem is that conferencing typically has been sold on a “paid by the minute” product and consumers have been more budget minded and worried about families running up large conferencing bills.

With the advent of desktop video conferencing, consumers can now use their webcams and the Internet to hold meetings right over their laptops or desktop computers. With speakers and headphones, the voice can be carried over the Internet, as well. With the technology based over the Internet, pricing has dramatically fallen and new flat rate, unlimited usage pricing models have developed. Now you can hold as many family video conferences with family members around the world as you want for less than $99. per month.

Conferencing truly has come a long way since the seventies. Beginning with the business markets, conferencing is now starting to gain a foothold on the consumer markets. The use of the Internet, webcams and personal computers will continue to drive conferencing to every corner of the earth.

Rosemary

Michael Lemm asked:




A commonly asked question … and one that often causes confusion and headaches …. concerns just how much bandwidth does a business require for video conferencing and multi-media applications.

Let’s get right to it and try to shed some light to clear things up a bit. Here’s some basics to give you a good foundation to move forward.

One location running low traffic to view video could be 256 to 384k … Two locations running and downloading files via the internet with video could be 384k-768 … Three locations feeding off a main location through MPLS on a full T1 burstable is up to 3mg’s. Plus, simultaneous allocation of channels with voice, data and video could work fine.

It’s important to consider area’s of traffic for voice, data, internet, locations, … and software specifications, equipment and any devices connected. Where they are ran from and back to …. and the termination points.

You might use a simple T1, DS3, bonded PRI … ethernet (if corporates headquarters is in NY say … and you’ve got multi locations running back through the main server … then it’s something to consider based on what types of software, devices and bandwidth are being worked into the configuration back to your central point.)

Keep in mind you may need to brush up some other LOC’s or configure them a little differently to free up space…

If your talking pretty basic simple set up … low cost and nothing lagging any latency issues … a fractional T1 all the way to a bonded PRI for simultaneous allocation of channels is cost effective and upgradeable. Having dedicated point to point T1 for moderate use would be fine also.

Headaches for corp use are DSL, BRI, ISDN, Frame Relay. That’s not saying they don’t work well …. but there’s more defects per incident if your serious about running and availability of paths (think quality and reliability).

If you are planning a Halo or TelePresence room, then 10 Mb Ethernet or DS3 is a minimum as the requirements are 3 Mbps per channel.

For units like Tandberg or Polycom, using H.264, you can get away with 384-768 kbps per site. Using H.263, 768 kbps is a minimum for quality; you can use as little as a T1 in these scenarios. How you want to integrate that into your current WAN is up to you … MPLS, FR, ATM, ethernet, etc.

Personally, I would try to use MPLS for my WAN and add the video as a higher priority so I could dynamically allocate bandwidth as opposed to dedicating circuits.

There ya go folks … just the basics.

For the next step of actually finding a bandwidth solution …. take advantage of the free consulting available at DS3-Bandwidth.com.

Delores