Video Conferencing

2008-06-18T12:09:00.000Z

Video Conferencing

Get on Board of Video Conferencing

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mike_Zhmudikov]Mike Zhmudikov
Sometimes your physical attendance is vital. But there are times, when there is simply no way for you to be there at the appointed time as well as location of the meeting. So what do you do?

First, you may dial the person up to tell him you cannot be present. The conference is significant, yet it's improbable for you to be in two or even three places at the same time. Nevertheless, that predicament might now be easily addressed with the use of video conferencing facilities. So what is video conferencing? Video conferencing is an interactive collaboration between two or more groups from various areas making use of the internet, video, and audio technology in real-time.

For a video conference to function, important parts as in audio and video inputs (microphones, cameras), audio and video outputs (speakers, headphones, projectors), along with the main control network that will allow data transfer must be present. But for the meeting or conference to be livelier and interactive, alternative tools as in IMs, Flash technology, Java scripts, etc., could allow attendees to express themselves not merely verbally, but they would be able to exchange data and other relevant material by sharing files, watch slide presentations, share videos, and make use of a universal whiteboard where each participant may draw or scribble on. Several video conferencing amenities have all the equipments as well as applications and much more depending on your needs.

There are numerous video conferencing companies that give online video meeting options patterned to your necessity. They can accommodate a discussion involving a group of three to ten persons to a conference of up to above a hundred attendees in different geographic areas. Fees can range according to the equipments, software, and applications employed. You could either pick a universal rate conference calling service or a per-minute calling plan. However, you can always begin your own video meeting if you have the fundamental technologies for this.

With the use of [http://www.megameeting.com]video conferencing technology, things have become much more convenient. For a lecturer, for example, rather than getting a plane ride from California to a college in New York to join a meeting or conduct a lecture, he can utilize video phones to deliver his speech or discussion to a group of school people in real time yet still be able to entertain their queries without having to postpone his following class. This technology is now being very reasonably widely recognized. However, physical presence can never replace technology no matter how advanced it is.

Mike Zhmudikov for [http://www.megameeting.com/web-collaboration.html]web collaboration software.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Zhmudikov http://EzineArticles.com/?Get-on-Board-of-Video-Conferencing&id=1150948

Video Conferencing Software

2008-05-19T13:07:00.000Z

Video Conferencing Software

Free Video Conference Software at the Tip of Your Fingers

By Allen Williams
In this day and age of modern technology, the world seems to have become smaller and smaller. Distance no longer bars people to communicate with each other or create business opportunities. One technology that makes it all possible is video conference. Video conference, because of its ability to bring people closer in spite of the distance, has become popular with the education sector and the corporate world.

Anyone who wishes to perform video conference must have the proper facilities. These include video camera or webcam to serve as video input; a computer monitor or television for video output; microphones; speakers; and a telephone network or internet to perform data transfer.

Video conference also requires the right software. Luckily, free video conference software is available right within the computer's operating system and through the internet.

GnomeMeeting is a free Internet-based video conference software that is accessible through http://www.gnomemeeting.org. It mainly uses H.323, the same protocol created by Microsoft to run audio and video features of Windows.

Paltalk is a video conference software that can be downloaded for free from the Internet. It promises crystal clear voice and video, up to 6 videos in one operation, sharing of photos, files and messages, and simultaneous video viewing in multiple rooms.

EarthLink Conference Manager is a free video conference software that also doubles as a video chat system. This enables multiple parties at different locations to participate in a video conference from a desktop computer. This free video conference software is still in its test version, which is widely used for research applications.

Global Live Talk, another free video conference software, facilitates online conferencing on intranets and the World Wide Web. It can perform real-time rich media conferencing, instant messaging, chat, online meetings, collaborative workspaces, PowerPoint Presentations, and software for groups in the Internet. It also serves as a virtual venue for meeting colleagues, friends and family members and trainings.

The Virtual Room Videoconferencing System (VRVS) is an Internet-based free video conference software. It is a project that is originally developed by European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) and now maintained by California Institute of Technology (Caltech).

Free video conference software also comes with many popular instant messaging applications. The latest version of Yahoo! Messenger (YM) provides its own free video and voice conference software. The AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) is an ad-supported instant messaging and presence computer program that allows users to communicate instantly through text to their "buddies" around the world. MSN Messenger is another instant messaging program that, like YM and AIM, performs video conference software, which can be downloaded for free for those whose computers run on Windows operating systems.

Aside from the Internet, the computer platform is also a source of free video conference software. One such application is iChat, an AIM client that enables Apple computer users to use AIM in their desktop units to carry out video conference for free. Netmeeting is another video conference software that comes for free with several versions of Microsoft Windows but before Windows XP. Windows Messenger is a free conference software that is integrated in Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, and the Remote Assistance feature of for Windows XP.

With video conference, communicating with friends and business colleagues though geographically apart is no longer costly. All that is needed to be done is to have the right hardware and the right video conference software that comes with the computer's operating system or available for free through the Internet.

For more information on conference calls, using your phones, or video conferencing, visit http://www.MyPhoneInfo.com now.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allen_Williams http://EzineArticles.com/?Free-Video-Conference-Software-at-the-Tip-of-Your-Fingers&id=513117

Worldwide Webcams

2008-05-12T12:03:00.000Z

Worldwide Webcams

Worldwide Webcams

The internet truly is amazing with being able to connect with people anywhere around the world using webcams in real time. Worldwide Webcams are being used more and more as the changes in technology have taken place and more people day by day become accustomed to using their own webcam.

The power of video conferencing is truly amazing. You can attend meetings with participants from any country and as long as you can communicate using the same language you have a meeting with international views...

It is so easy to go to a site like You Tube and upload a webcam video. As people grow more and more accustomed to the technology we can only wonder where it will all lead. Worldwide webcams are only just starting too!

What will be happening in five years time? It is amazing just to think about that...

Streaming Video

2008-05-05T00:19:00.000Z

Streaming Video

How To Download Streaming Video From YouTube, Google And More

By George Tho
I like to download streaming video when I come across one that is funny and would like to keep it on my computer so that I can watch it or show it to my friends and families without going online. I didn't know that it was possible at first until a friend of mine showed me exactly how to do it and here I am sharing it with you.

There are many video sites on web and more are being set up everyday. People often publish videos about themselves or interesting things that they come across. These sites that allow people to publish videos for free include YouTube, Google videos, Break, iFilm, Putfile, BlipTV and so on. Some sites are dedicated to certain themes while others are for any genre.

If you were to come across a nice clip and wants to download streaming video from these sites. There basically 2 steps and rather 2 things you need to know. First is how to download it and the second is the format of the downloaded clip and how to watch it on your PC.

In order to download streaming video, first take note of the URL of the video. For example, for YouTube videos, the URL will look something like this: http://youtube.com/watch?v=XXXXXXXXXX. Copy this URL and go to keepvid.com, paste the URL and click on 'Download'. After a while, a download link will appear and you may download the file.

Kindly note that if you download streaming video using the site mentioned, the downloaded file has the extension XXX.htm. Just rename the file to XXX.flv. Notice that the file format is in flv, which means that you cannot use your regular video players like Windows Media Player to watch it. You have to obtain an FLV player. There are many free FLV players on the web, just do a search and you should have no problem finding one.

As much as I like to download streaming video, still it is not enough for my entertainment needs. Read my review on a download portal that features [http://www.clickbankproductreview.com/mpegmusicvideos.php?cbtid=anmd06]millions of up to date movies, music, tv shows and even console games for download at a one-time fee here.

Author's review website on clickbank products: http://www.clickbankproductreview.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Tho http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Download-Streaming-Video-From-YouTube,-Google-And-More&id=1103874

Starting An Online Business

2008-05-02T03:47:00.000Z

Starting An Online Business

Starting an Online Business

Are you considering Starting an Online Business? If you are going to be training people, make sure that you are using the technology that is now available to your best advantage. It is much easier to take people through the process of online training live or by video recording of the process. Technology now is extremely cost effective and a fraction of what you used to pay so take the time to understand it and save yourself and the people that you will be working with both time and money.

If you are looking at businesses to Start as an Online Business it also pays to make sure that you understand the latest technology. You will save yourself an amazing amount of time and heartache using technology to its best advantage...

Webcam Videos

2008-04-28T12:08:00.000Z

Webcam Videos

Webcam Videos

The quality of webcam videos is improving along with the technology to make them and I am sure it won’t be long before it will be great quality.

One of my business colleagues gave us a tour of his new house using his webcam attached to his laptop computer. We were shown all three levels of his house and taken outside to watch a squirrel up in a nearby tree. The versatility is amazing using a webcam and it is extremely easy to use the webcam to create a video. Webcam videos can be used for many purposes.

Knowledge on how to use webcams has certainly made a change in my life and it is not hard to see how as more and more people become familiar with using them, life is changing...

Photography Workshops

2008-04-25T20:33:00.000Z

Photography Workshops

Are Computers Killing Photography?

By Andrew Goodall
Digital photography has beginners all over the world desperate to learn how to take better photos using their digital cameras. Where can they learn the skills of good photography?

A few years ago, I wrote an ebook to teach beginners the basics of good photography. You know, aperture, shutter speed, depth of field, lighting, composition; the sort of things experienced photographers take for granted. In recent times, I have been amazed at the increasing number of people eager to get their hands on this type of information.

With the internet seemingly taking over the world, and the explosion in availability of books, ebooks and courses on just about every subject, why is it so hard for a new photographer to find out how to use their camera? It's a mystery for the modern age, but I think I may have found the answer.

If a person has a bad experience, especially if that experience cost them hard-earned dollars, they will tell others. And what they are telling me is that they are NOT HAPPY with most of the photography courses and guides on offer.

Many courses and workshops advertising 'digital photography' have little or nothing to do with actual photography. That's right, you can sign up to learn the skills of better photography and not learn one thing about taking better photos.

What you get instead is a workshop in photo-editing. How to fix up your bad photos, how to superimpose rainbows and birds into your landscapes and how to remove freckles and pimples from your portraits. How to use software which, in many cases, the customer doesn't have, doesn't want and possibly can't afford.

Are these useful skills? Of course they are, but they are not photography. At best, they are peripheral skills that relate to photography, for people (and there are plenty of them) who choose to go down that path.

The result could be a generation of 'photographers' who know more about fixing up their mistakes on a computer than about taking good photos in the first place.

If a customer pays you to teach them photography, they have a right to expect that they will learn how to use a camera. If they want to learn about computer software, they will buy a different ebook, or sign up to a different course. If you take their money, then sit them in front of a computer for three days, you have not given them what they paid for. If your customer asks for their money back - so they should.

I could take a pessimistic view, and think that some photographers have become so lazy, so unskilled, that they really believe digital manipulation is more important to photography than skill with a camera. I prefer to think that the customers I have spoken to have just been the victims of misunderstandings and poorly worded advertising.

Whichever is the case, customers beware! Before you hand over your money, find out exactly what you are signing up for. If you want to learn how to take better photos, make sure the course (or workshop, or ebook etc) is about the camera, not just the computer. If software is a component of the course, terrific - you are getting a well rounded look at the world of photography. If it is the only component, shop around; there are still people out there who want to teach what you want to learn.

Andrew Goodall is a professional nature photographer of over 20 years experience, with a gallery in Montville, Queensland. His ebooks "Photography in Plain English" and "Every Picture Tells A Story" have helped thousands of new photographers learn the art and skills of good photography. Find out more at http://www.naturesimage.com.au

Andrew's simple philosophy is that good photography is skill, not technology, so you can learn to take great photos no matter what type of camera you have.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Goodall http://EzineArticles.com/?Are-Computers-Killing-Photography?&id=1065542

Webcams

2008-04-22T12:44:00.000Z

Webcams

Video Conferencing: Choosing a Camera That is Best for you

By Dan Richmond
When you think of video conferencing you probably picture a webcam perched on a computer or monitor recording your image and sending it out to the world. While webcams are most frequently used by online conference participants, it is also possible to get the work done with a digital video camera. Which webcam or digital video camera you opt for depends on your needs. Here are some points to consider when making your selection.

Webcams

Nowadays, web cams can be found for under $20 and go all the way up to $150. The difference between the high end cameras and the starter web cams are usually due to the quality of image that is put out.

First, take a look at the resolution of the camera. Ideally you should get a webcam that can produce at least a 640x480 resolution.

Then check how many frames per second the camera can handle. For video conferencing the ideal level is 30 frames per second (fps).

Finally, find out what kind of sensor the camera uses. The better web cams use CCD technology instead of CMOS. Also, remember that most webcams connect to computers with a USB cable.

Digital Video Cameras

For an even better result (sharper and faster images), you can use digital video cameras. These are the same devices that are used to record home movies, etc. Digital video cameras start as low as $250 and go up to thousands of dollars. In order to use a digital video camera, you need to make sure that the device supports a USB or a Firewire output and that it can be used as a webcam and connect you with online applications.

Whether you use a webcam or a digital video camera depends on the type of conferencing that you will be doing.

If you’re meeting in a manner in which the quality of the video is not too important, then a lower end webcam will probably suffice. However, if you need quality video, then a higher end webcam, or even a digital video camera will be required.

If you’ll be in a conference room setting, in which you need to get more than one person on camera, a digital video camera with tilt/pan/zoom capabilities will work best.

Firewire digital video cameras provide images that are so nice that you can see the second hand of a watch sweep by. You can also see details of products and items that normal webcams simply cannot provide. This is because firewire handles the processing of video much better than USB does, allowing for smoother images and better quality.

When you are out shopping for webcams, take a look at Logitech products. They are one of the leaders in this field and have a wide variety of models. They offer great products at reasonable prices. For digital video cameras, Canon offers a good selection and devices of excellent quality.

So, consider your needs and your budget and then find a webcam or a digital video camera that is best for you.

Dan Richmond is Co-founder of MegaMeeting.com. MegaMeeting provides web & [http://www.megameeting.com/]video conferencing services for individuals & businesses. For more information, please call 818.783.4311 or Visit [http://www.megameeting.com/]http://www.MegaMeeting.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Richmond http://EzineArticles.com/?Video-Conferencing:-Choosing-a-Camera-That-is-Best-for-you&id=111676

Computer Training

2008-04-17T22:12:00.000Z

Computer Training

Why Do You Need Computer Training?

By Natalie Aranda
Since the internet has become such a large part of our lives, it is becoming more important to know everything about computers and the web. Unfortunately, if you are computer illiterate, the future does not look good for you. Computer training has become a necessity in the workplace, especially in internet related fields. Luckily, there are tips on how to further your career with the right software training.

The first thing you need to do is look at your career and what it requires. Many companies want their employees to know everything about computers – from Microsoft Word to specific software related to their industry. It can be a daunting task, especially if you know nothing about the field. However, if you do know about these programs, you could get ahead in your career, and perhaps even land a better job. After all, in such a technological age, employees are required to have at least some computer experience.

If you are not a web developer or working for a computer/internet based company, chances are you do not need to know everything. Many secretarial jobs even require computer training, though not extensive. On the other hand, if you are looking to get a job in the computer field, you will need more than software training courses. For instance, IT training has recently become a popular career choice, as the demand for it is huge. Computer training software can be found everywhere, but most people would recommend that you enroll in a computer training program. These courses can be done at your convenience, especially if you are working at the same tame. The majority of computer training programs allow you to enroll online, and work from the comfort of your own home. With such a huge database of courses, anyone who works hard can succeed. These courses include IT management training and IT project management training. It is great for any employee who wants to manage their company and train others correctly in IT project management. Therefore, it is extremely easy to get your certificate, even if you need to take the classes online.

In a world filled with computer users, it is essential to have the proper training. After all, if so many other people have an abundance of computer skills, how are you supposed to get ahead in your field? It is crucial that you stay up to date with the newest computer programs. Therefore, software training and IT training is imperative when trying to reach the top of the corporate ladder. Nevertheless, even if you are not required to know certain IT software, it will always be beneficial to your career in the long run. The more you know, the more impressed a company will be with your extensive training. It will also allow you to switch careers if needed, especially if your computer training goes beyond Word and Excel. From IT project management training to software training – you are sure to go far in the corporate world, as long as you have the knowledge.

Natalie Aranda writes on learning and computer training. Many secretarial jobs even require [http://www.cbtplanet.com]computer training, though not extensive. For instance, IT training has recently become a popular career choice, as the demand for it is huge. Computer training software can be found everywhere, but most people would recommend that you enroll in a computer training program. The majority of computer training programs allow you to enroll online, and work from the comfort of your own home. With such a huge database of courses, anyone who works hard can succeed. These courses include [http://www.countrywidetraining.com]IT management training and IT project management training. It is great for any employee who wants to manage their company and train others correctly in [http://www.cbtplanet.com/project_management.htm]project management training.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Natalie_Aranda http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Do-You-Need-Computer-Training?&id=249333

E-learning As Corporate Training

2008-04-13T10:00:00.000Z

E-learning As Corporate Training

E-Learning as Corporate Training

How many corporate executives have plenty of time in their day? From my experience, not many. So when you are considering the training methods, it would be a good idea to use something that can be used at flexible times, something that is cost effective and yet gets the message across well.

Have you discovered the full power of Video Conferencing for training purposes? This technology can be utilised from any computer. You can join the executive for training from PC to PC. Or it can be setup for them to access the material by themselves. Hyperlinks can be used to take the trainee to applicable websites. Desktop sharing can be used and you can talk through documentation either live or recorded. Scripts can be included. The technology that is available now is extremely versatile and will fit most needs.

If you are not up with the technology that is available today, then my belief is that it will be worth your time to take the time to find out. If you would like any help, please just place a post to this blog...

Yes now you can use Live Video Streaming technology to talk with people internationally. Anywhere by the click of a button you can be having video and audio communication with a person whether it be in the house next door or 10000 miles away. You can do it now!!

New Career Training For Older Women

2008-04-09T22:53:00.000Z

New Career Training For Older Women

New Career Training for Older Women

This is an area that I feel qualified to speak about. As an older woman returning to the workforce and having to retrain I have found there are options on the internet that have been very suited to women returning to the workforce.

As well as this with the technology that is now available it is a simple process to retrain in a new field. New Career Training for Older Women is a simpler process now than it has ever been before and I am sure that there will be more and more women choosing internet options for their choice of new career training.

Probably the biggest thing for consideration for the New Career Training for Older Women is exactly which option is best for me?

At the moment I believe there are a considerable number of people who have little to no understanding as to what options are available on the internet. Many people in the career advisory position are not yet equipped to give advice on this field. So where does one go to?

This whole topic is probably worth a few articles and I will look at posting them onto the website in the future, not too distant all going well...

Live Video Streaming

2008-04-08T23:49:00.000Z

Live Video Streaming

Live Video Streaming

Yes now you can use Live Video Streaming technology to talk with people internationally. Anywhere by the click of a button you can be having video and audio communication with a person whether it is in the house next door or 10000 miles away. You can do it now!!

So what are the advantages in this technology? When you are meeting with someone you can see their body language. You can see their facial expression as they answer those questions and actually see who you are talking to. Do you still have to be careful? Yes. It is possible for avatars to be used by the person, covering up who they really are. Maybe you will get a shark face, a monkey face or something to show you just what the person is really like?? The technology is there for the genuine person to use and show themself. No doubt there will be some people that will abuse the technology in some way...

Another word of warning for you is if you are using a webcam and leave the meeting or discussion, make sure that you turn off your webcam. A while back I was on a meeting where a rather embarrassed gentleman left the meeting, forgot to switch off his webcam and a while later walked past on his way back from the shower!! Yes, it can happen and surprisingly easily. On a number of occasions I have realised that my webcam was still on some time after leaving a meeting - no, I haven't been caught out!! Not yet, anyway...

Stock Market Seminar

2008-04-06T10:26:00.000Z

Stock Market Seminar

Stock Market Seminar

This is one of the topics I can see would be taught so much easier using the Video Conferencing technology available today.

To explain to your seminar attendees how to trade, where to source information you can access websites with relevant information then go to trading charts, discuss candlestick patterns, all online and students can ask for you to save any web pages of particular interest...

Of the uses for Video Conferencing technology I see Stock Market Seminars as being right up the top of the list. When I studied the Stock Market I went to seminars for a day and then was left with the knowledge gradually fading. I would attempt to find my way back to some of the websites and miss others.

The Stock Market Trading could so easily be taught with weekly, fortnightly or monthly lessons and the attendees could be located anywhere in the world. This technology is just fantastic for this purpose...

Business Online

2008-04-01T08:46:00.000Z

Business Online

Business Online

The technology we now have is making massive changes to the way that we operate our businesses. The time is right to look for ways to incorporate adaptations of the old business practices into the new technology framework.

To give you an example, consider that you are invited to attend regular online meetings. Perhaps your old monthly meetings are being replaced by fortnightly video conferencing meetings. One thing you could do is volunteer to be a host for these meeting, you will obtain a greater understanding of the new technology and get to know the names and faces of the attendees.

Another suggestion is find a way to replace the old system of bringing a door prize to promote your business. Maybe you could ask attendees to send you their email address and they will go into a draw for a one hour free consultation, or for a gift voucher. Always remember to thank all attendees and send out a feedback email with an incentive for responding...

Chat And Webcam Rooms

2008-03-31T10:56:00.000Z

Chat And Webcam Rooms

Chat and Webcam Rooms

When I first started looking at Video Conferencing one of my first thoughts is why would I use a Video Conferencing room when I could just go into a chat room? Well one of the main reasons is when it comes down to business you need the privacy.

Then I wondered...is it really necessary to go right through to Video Conferencing?

This depends on your use for the communication. If you are wanting to communicate and have something to gain by actually seeing the body language of the person, maybe even just the facial expression - then it is worth the Video Conferencing.

Different product will suit different purposes and it may not be necessary for everything to go for Video Conferencing. There may be occasions when Audio Conferencing is satisfactory.

When considering Video Conferencing, also consider the advantages in the desktop sharing aspect.
Is this available in the product that you are looking at?

Will your viewers be using Mac or PC's?

Some packages cater for one and some cater for another. There are lots of questions to consider.

An article will be coming to the www.vidconferencing.com website shortly with a list of questions to ask yourself...

Logitech Webcam

2008-03-26T11:45:00.000Z

Logitech Webcam

Logitech Webcam

This is my choice of webcam. I operate the Logitech Pro 5000 webcam. This webcam has the feature of cancelling feedback from your speakers and of the webcams that I have used, I have found it to be the best.

When you are using a webcam for recording purposes or in a video web meeting or conference the quality of your camera affects the performance of the overall meeting for you. The webcams that I used in my initial meetings were of a poorer quality and speech delays were evident and there was a requirement to use headphones so that feedback was reduced. Most meetings that I attend now I find there is no requirement for headphones at all. In my opinion it is better to pay more and get a decent webcam from the beginning...

Live Video

2008-03-24T13:13:00.000Z

Live Video

Live Video

The technology changes that have happened in recent times have certainly made access to live video footage affordable, like it has never been before.

A few of the uses for the technology:

Live video footage of skifields: Is it a day that you would like to go up skiing or snowboarding? Have a look and see. Or, what is that ski field like? Have a look and see.

Home surveillance systems: Have a camera set on the area outside your backdoor so you can check who is calling from your office or workshop!

Security camera/s for your business: You may like to have a webcam linked up to your computer and the internet. You can monitor what is happening in your business when you are away.

The improvement of the video technology and live video streaming footage is making changes daily with new uses being found day-by-day…

Online Business

2008-03-21T13:18:00.000Z

Online Business

Online Business

The ability to conduct business online is becoming easier and easier. With the release of Video Conferencing at your desktop and improved technology in this field all around, business has become so much more affordable online and accessible to any business, not just those with deep pockets.

You can now meet with your international suppliers, no matter where they are, and ask them those more difficult questions and see the body language, as well as hear their knowledge; thus being able to make far better decisions as to who to deal with.

Some business people can find the technology a bit scary. You can be assured that the current technology that is available is user friendly and once you face the initial challenge and have it explained is quite simple to operate. If you are not using this technology then the time to go out and find out about it is ‘now’…

Audio Conferencing

2008-03-20T12:21:00.000Z

Audio Conferencing

Audio Conferencing

Audio Conferencing is an effective method of promoting your product to potential customers/clients. One of the main advantages is the cost effectiveness.

So you have decided you would like to promote your product to some potential customers, now how do you go about it?

The first thing to determine is will you be using teleconferencing through the standard phone system or will you look at an online alternative. This will depend on the product or service you are promoting; whether you potential customers are the type of people where the major portion are online and used to these sort of services. Cost wise this would be very competitive.

If you are using a teleconference service, then you may decide to market to your customers by email promoting the call. Other considerations are how many people you will be having on the call. Do you want beeps when people arrive? Will you be only having one, two or three speakers, or would you like to have the opportunity for more to speak.

You will need to familiarise yourself with the teleconferencing service and get a feel for how it operates. The company supplying the service may well be able to help you with this.

It has been said the teleconferencing is more effective for selling product than video conferencing. This is an opinion that will need to be considered. Different product will have different results as will different markets…

Web Conferencing

2008-03-18T11:12:00.000Z

Web Conferencing

Interactive Web Conferencing

By Tom Cruz

Interactive web conferencing allows participants to take part in the conference in the
same manner as they would if you had all the participants gathered together in a large
meeting room. They can share ideas and give feedback, work together and view
presentations. They do all this by sitting in their own offices all over the world. The
interactive white board allows participants to write or draw on the screen and make it
visible to all the others. You can also share desktops so that all can see what you are
doing on your desktop. Participants can speak to one another or use text messaging in a
chat room.

It is a fact that you can save money for your business by utilizing web conferencing, but
you do need to plan for the conference, just as you would with a face-to-face meeting.
You should prepare an agenda so that the participants know in advance what topics will
be covered. This will save time answering questions during the meeting about what is
going to be covered. If you need to, you can also record the conference for later review,
but if this is not something that you would use on a regular basis you don't really need to
pay the extra costs associated with this feature.

There are also different types of interactive features you can have with the services. You
might want to make a presentation and allow the interaction to be audio only. Or you can
use webcams so that all participants can see one another. This will require a large
bandwidth and could mean more investment on the part of your business.

Some of the types of interaction that you can have with the web conference include:

- Interactive chat

- Interactive webcasting, and

- Interactive teleseminars.

Many companies are now using this method to provide training for employees in new
products or applications.

One of the best interactive web conferencing services is called WebEx For a detailed review visit www.thebestwebconferencing.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Cruz http://EzineArticles.com/?Interactive-Web-Conferencing&id=934461

Conference Call

2008-03-12T10:19:00.000Z

Conference Call

Tips To Run A Successful Conference Call

By Tim Gorman
Are you running a business where members of your company are in different parts of the country or world at different times? This makes it extremely difficult to hold conferences whenever you want, unless you want to fly all of the people in. The solution to this problem is conference calls and here are some tips to help you have a successful conference over the phone:

-The thing you must first do to set up a successful conference call is to tell the participants you want in the call the toll-free number they will be calling, the code they must enter to get into the conference, the agenda of the meeting, and most importantly, the time they are to call in. The company you sign up under will provide you with your own 800 toll free number that you will use. All the participants will be allowed to choose their own entry code so that they can enter it when they are ready to join the conference. The reason an agenda is important before starting the conference is so you can stay on track and get the most out of the meeting.

-Before you do the tip above you should make a list of all the people you are going to want to participate in the call. This will help you when it comes time to send out all the information as you will already know who to send the information to and you will know what to send them. You should also consider that participates are going to be all over the country or world in different time zones so try to find a time that the most amount of members can participate.

-This may be one of the most important tips and that is you must start the conference call on time! The participants are all going to make special arrangements to call in on time so you must start it on time. If you do not start the conference on time you will have to deal with a big mess that can be avoided easily.

-Tell all participants to use the mute button when they are not talking to the members of the conference. This helps to eliminate all the background noise that can become a distraction while the others are either talking or listening.

These are just some tips that I have found to be helpful when using conference calls.

Increase your profits and cut your communication costs with discount video conference calling located at http://www.bestconferencecallingservices.com , a popular conference calling website that specializes in providing low cost audio, video and web conference calling solutions

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Gorman http://EzineArticles.com/?Tips-To-Run-A-Successful-Conference-Call&id=661282

Web Conferencing

2008-03-09T07:29:00.000Z

Web Conferencing

Video & Web Conferencing: How To Determine Which Features Will Benefit You The Most

by Dan Richmond
Web and video conferencing technology is becoming more sophisticated with each passing day. A few years ago it was a novelty just to talk with someone online, and view his or her image at the same time. Today web conferences bring together entire companies in complex interaction that rivals live face-to-face meetings. How you might benefit from the latest developments in web conferencing depends on your particular needs. Here are a few points that you should consider.

1. Do you need to make a Powerpoint or other presentation during your conference?

If you answered “yes” to this question, then you will be glad to know that current web and video conferencing services allow the host of a conference to present a slide show or power point demonstration that will be visible on the screens of all the participants of a conference. Similarly, hosts can also open and show other document formats to their attendees. If you need this kind of capability, make sure that your conference provider can give this to you.

2. Do you require telephone conferencing integrated with your web/video conference?

Many organizations have found telephone conferencing to be an effective way to get work done. If you are already connecting with your members and staff via telephone conferences you can expand on this by choosing a web conferencing system that integrates telephone conferencing along with the online conference. The combined service will give you the ease of phone conferencing along with the enhanced visual and presentation features of online conferencing.

Some services allow the host to pay the long distance bill of all the participants (toll free conferencing), while others require each participant to cover their long distance fees.

3. Do all of your conference participants use the same type of computer?

If your participants are going to be using a variety of computers (PC, Mac, Linux) then you will benefit most by choosing a web conferencing system that works on any platform. While earlier conferencing systems required the downloading of complex software that would work only on specified operating systems, newer conferencing formats are delivered online and are browser based. They work on any operating system and if yours in an eclectic audience, then you will get best results with this type of conferencing.

4. Will it be necessary for one of your technicians to “take-over” and operate the computers of any of your participants?

If you wish to use conferencing as a service tool and want to avoid having to send out your service team on physical visits to clients, you can save a lot of travel time and cost by selecting a web and video conferencing system that allows the host of the conference to go online and actually take control of the computer of the client or conference participant. If you are looking at web conferencing as an after-sales service tool, then this particular feature will probably give you one of the most important benefits that you could wish for.

5. Do you want to conduct an online poll or survey during the conference?

If you have a large organization and want to make a quick and accurate poll of opinion or vote on a particular issue then the new polling capabilities of the most advanced web conferencing services will be an important feature for you.

Similarly, if you need to gather demographic information about your meeting participants, obtain valuable input, or quiz and test your participants, then the new online survey capabilities of current web conferencing systems will be an important feature to look for when choosing your conference format. Data from these types of online “surveys” can typically be saved and used for future use.

6. Do you want to brainstorm online, using a “whiteboard”?

Brainstorming is a great way to tap the ideas of a group and to come up with and select new ideas. If this is what you like to do when holding physical meetings, then you will probably want to be able to do the same thing in your virtual meetings as well. This is now possible in some of the more advanced web conferencing systems by using a “group notepad” that enables meeting participants to utilize a shared workspace. The results of these brainstorming sessions can typically be saved in a storage area.

Which of these features will benefit you the most? It all depends on your particular needs. However, one thing is sure: once you experience the convenience of online meetings, you will not want to go back to the era when every meeting required you to pack up your bags and get on an airplane.

Dan Richmond is Co-founder of MegaMeeting.com. MegaMeeting provides Web & Video Conferencing services for individuals & businesses. For more information, please visit www.MegaMeeting.com or call 818.783.4311.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com

Video

2008-03-07T01:55:00.000Z

Video

sun-sentinel.com/business/local/sfl-flzbiztech0709nbjul09,0,2259632.story
South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com
Small businesses turning to video devices to market to customersJuly 9, 2007
For years, psychologist John F. Murray has sent an electronic newsletter to hundreds of subscribers. And he has been the subject of scores of television interviews, and has presented at countless seminars and programs on sports performance and executive training.

So this spring, Murray decided to create his own videos using his in-office webcam. He uses the camera to shoot video e-mails, a video blog, and is working on a variety "webinars" — all shot from his PC monitor-mounted camera.

"This makes sense and is the next logical step from one-dimensional e-mails or expensive video productions," said Murray, a clinical and sports performance psychologist in private practice in Palm Beach. He even posts a video blog for a weight-loss group he runs. Using video for small business outreach "allows for much more communication. You get all the gestures, facial expressions and emphasis of a video, and can package it to suit your needs."

Videography is finding its place in the small business market. With the combination of inexpensive Web cameras and consumer broadband Internet services, businesses are able to produce and distribute videos to a wide audience.

What device is best? Whether a desktop or laptop camera, look for features designed to improve the video and audio result. A high-quality lens will produce sharp, clear images, and auto focus functions can keep the subject sharp, even in dimly-lit settings. Color-enhancement capabilities optimize color and reduce image "wash out," and adjust for various settings and lighting. Cameras with a built-in, noise-canceling microphone reduce echoes and outside noise, and eliminate the need for a headset or stand-alone microphone to record the content.

While greater megapixels often translate to improved image quality, the combination of lens and image processing is important to creating a better video, said Andrew Heymann, senior worldwide product manager for Web cameras for Logitech. The company's new Pro 9000 desktop and QuickCam Pro for Notebooks both feature Carl Zeiss lenses, 76 degrees of video viewing width, USB 2.0 compatibility and a resolution of eight megapixels, he said. But don't let megapixels fool you, he said.

"Digital still cameras are caught in the megapixel race," he said. "This isn't just about megapixels. It's about a combination of quality performance and components that create a better video and sound."

To improve desktop videography, Heymann suggested using a webcam with automatic focus and face tracking that follows the subject as he or she moves around. Most camera software can be set to shoot the video according to specific needs, from lower resolution for e-mail distribution, to greater resolution for high-definition, Heymann said. Many cameras include video editing or effects software to improve the finished product. Heymann recommended beginners use Windows Movie Maker (included with Windows operating systems) to edit the video before posting or distributing.

Setting is important. When JoAnna Brandi began recording videos for e-mail and seminars, she brought in soft lighting, a potted plant and a Japanese shoji room divider to create a backdrop. Well lit and casually dressed, with makeup and a smile, Brandi appears warm and confident in an introductory video about her new video services.

"I have a studio right at my desk," said the owner of JoAnna Brandi & Company, a Boca Raton customer care consulting firm. Brandi conducts virtual training from her desk, and is writing a seven-part video course to be produced, in part, using her webcam. "I can do broadcasts, seminars, webinars, podcasts, a video blog and social networking. As a small business owner, this gives me the tools that I ordinarily wouldn't have."

Jeff Zbar is a freelance writer. Reach him at jeff@jeffzbar.com.
Copyright © 2007, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
sun-sentinel.com/business/local/sfl-flzbiztech0709nbjul09,0,2259632.story

Web Conferencing

2008-03-04T00:44:00.000Z

Web Conferencing

Six Ways Video & Web Conferencing Can Benefit Your Business

by Dan Richmond
Are you really using the power of modern technology to make your business more profitable? Sure, you are using e-mail, you have a web page and you may be reaching your clients and customers with an electronic mailing list, but are you using web and video conferencing to hold virtual meetings with your employees, customers and clients in different geographical locations? Here are six ways how web and video conferencing can help you to increase the efficiency of your enterprise.

First however, it is important to know what web and video conferencing are. Web conferencing is when two or more people “meet” over the Internet to share information and ideas. Web conferencing systems typically provide tools that allow participants to perform “Online Collaboration” by working together over the Internet, sharing applications and documents.

Some web conferencing tools include the ability to share one's desktop, allowing participants to “present” information, be it a PowerPoint Presentation, an Excel Spreadsheet or a Word Document with other attendees of their web conference. It is even possible for participants to remotely control other participants' computers. Video conferencing allows participants to see and hear each other using head sets and web cams, and is usually included in good web conferencing system.

Now take a look at how some companies are already getting the benefits of this cutting- edge technology:

1. They are holding “web meetings” with prospects, customers, clients and fellow workers without having to incur any travel expenses. These face-to-face meetings are conducted using the click of a keyboard and the movement of a mouse.

2. They are demonstrating and supporting products and services without having to send people to far-flung destinations. Web conferencing can enable your staff to get behind the desk of your client and do the trouble shooting or give the training that you may be currently doing, without having to send your support staff out on expensive personal visits.

3. They are holding virtual training and classrooms for students, employees and clients . Schools and Universities in particular are using web and video conferencing to create “virtual classrooms,” while companies are training their employees at several locations using combined web and video conferences.

4. They are giving online web and video support to clients . Live chat boxes are great, I use them all the time, but the support you can offer when your technician can take over a client's computer and really fix the problem is much more powerful. And, when your client can see who is helping him or her, it really adds a special “warm and fuzzy” touch.

5. They are saving thousands of dollars in travel costs by cutting down on commuting and travel and time spent out of the office . “As a result of this technology, our need to travel between offices has been greatly reduced, which has already saved us thousands of dollars,” says Saul Rothschild, Information Systems Manager at Steel Encounters, Inc.” In times of rising fuel costs, web and video conferencing can really make a huge difference to a company's bottom line. Companies using web conferencing are not only able to cut down on their travel expenses, but their sales representatives, trainers and support staff also get to spend more productive time in the office and do not lose valuable hours sitting in a car or on a plane.

6. They are thinking “outside the box” and devising new ways to work now that they are free of geographical limitations . The companies and organizations that have adopted web and video conferencing technology are marketing products and services, conducting training and giving support as if all their employees, prospects and clients were working together under one roof. Company meetings, sales meetings, employee training, and product launches are now being conducted with a new 21 st Century flair.

So, consider your own business or activity and think of how web and video conferencing could help you to work more effectively with all your constituents without having to leave your office.

Dan Richmond is CEO and Co-founder of MegaMeeting.com. His company provides web conferencing and video conferencing services for individuals, businesses and educational institutions. Dan can be reached either via the phone at (818) 783-4311 or via e-mail at DanR@MegaMeeting.com. Visit their website http://www.MegaMeeting.com for more information.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com

Video Conferencing Facilities

2008-02-28T20:58:00.000Z

Video Conferencing Facilities

How Video and Audio Web Conferencing Can Benefit The Small Business Landscape

by: GTS, Inc - Mark D. Watt

How to Be In Multiple Places At One Time:

Imagine your small innovative design firm just completed a prototype of a new concept car for one of the largest car companies in the US. Your company is located in San Francisco, CA and the car company is located in Detroit, MI and with other decision makers located in Mt Vernon IN, and Lexington, KY and you need to present your prototype without sending an overnight package or attempt to have everyone fly to the corporate office.

So, you need a solution that will allow you to bring everyone together on the same page to present your prototype design which was created utilizing your company CAD software application, so that you may view, present and make modifications in real-time. Meet-N-See-N-Hear: Implement an integrated audio, web and desktop video in an easy-to-use solution by allowing participants to see, hear and interact as if everyone is in the same – and on the same page with web conferencing. Meet - Use your computer, laptop or desktop, and a web browser See - View your participants by utilizing a web-cam to see your participants body language and facial expression, live face-2-face in real-time Hear - Speak, listen and communicate through audio in real-time Present - Present your training program, power point or your marketing program in real-time Share - Share your application or document in real-time Demo your product or services in real-time Edit and Modify - Edit your documents, applications on the fly in real-time The Benefits of Web Conferencing: Web conferencing overcomes geographical boundaries by bringing clients, customers, colleagues, vendors, friends and families together to communicate, collaborate and engage each other in real-time. Your small business or any organization can and will reduce your travel expenses, improve communication with remote teams and partners, improve sales and sales lead generation, demo your products and services, improved productivity, provide training and increase your business bottom line. Strategies for Your Small Business Technology Success: Provide your team the following tools so that they can be mobile and connected. It doesn’t matter if your organization is a small business or large corporation. - Provide your team business class laptops with wireless capability. *Optional web-cam - Handheld PDAs. *Optional wireless capability - Cell Phone - VPN access for secured email and files Conclusion: In closing, on-line web conferencing offers small businesses, organizations, and companies a way to reduce expenses and enhance the way they conduct business over time and space. The factors above make a great check-list for moving into the web conferencing space and increasing your firm’s bottom line. Check out GTS, Inc new e-book at the following web sites: http://www.g-collaboration.com/ http://www.lulu.com/gtsinc http://www.ebookmall.com/ebook/205735-ebook.htm About: GTS, Inc based in Raleigh, NC, is an on-line web conferencing content, and solutions provider. For more information about GTS, Inc, and visit our web site: http://www.g-collaboration.com/
About The Author
Mark Watt has been using computers since 1980 and collaboration concepts since 1994. Beginning with business computer programming and on the bleeding edge of personal computers in the mid-80’s he soon becomes very knowledgeable about hardware and the software that was being developed by many of these upstart companies. As the ninety’s approaches, Mark’s experience gains momentum with LAN/WAN networking, the Internet, html, website development, portals, and web conferencing. Mark now brings that experience of collaboration and online web conferencing to the end-user and organizations so that they may benefit from his many years of knowledge and experience. © Copyright 2006 GTS, Inc http://g-collaboration.com/

Live Streaming Video

2008-02-26T01:48:00.000Z

Live Streaming Video

Live Streaming Video

So what are the advantages in this technology? When you are dealing with someone you can see their body language. You can see their facial expression as they answer those questions and actually see who you are talking to. Do you still have to be careful?

Yes.

It is possible for avatars to be used by the person, covering up who they really are. Maybe you will get a shark face, a monkey face or something to show you just what the person is really like??

The technology is there for the genuine person to use and show themselves. No doubt there will be some people that will abuse the technology in some way...

Another word of warning for you is if you are using a webcam and leave the meeting or discussion, make sure that you turn off your webcam. A while back I was on a meeting where a rather embarrassed gentleman left the meeting, forgot to switch off his webcam and a while later walked past on his way back from the shower!!

Yes, it can happen and surprisingly easily. On a number of occasions I have realised that my webcam was still on some time after leaving a meeting - no, I haven't been caught out!! Not yet, anyway...

Business Online

2008-02-22T09:13:00.000Z

Business Online

Business Online - Today

It happened again! What, you may ask...well I'll tell you...

I own my own business, although I work alongside another guy who owns his own business too. Anyway recently there have been a couple of occasions when his emails were delayed in transit for some reason. So what do you do? We needed to make a decision on something urgently...

What we did was we went into my Video Conferencing room. I took host status and went into desktop sharing took him through into my copy of the information and we discussed things online. Do you have any idea just how convenient it was? I am sure in the past you would have had occasions when you have discussed, over the telephone, something that you are making a decision on and without the visual aspect it can be particularly difficult. The ability for desktop sharing and discussion while you are sharing in a secure environment is just fabulous. It certainly makes for a smoother business operation. All I can say is WOW this latest technology is fantastic and sooo affordable even for the small business owner. Yeah, Video Conferencing!!

Video Conference

2008-02-17T10:35:00.000Z

Video Conference

Video Conference

Video Conferencing is now affordable for the broader business marketplace. In days gone by the technology could only be afforded by large corporation. That has all changed.

Four of the key benefits of Video Conferencing

Faster Decision Making - WIth online presence iti is much easier and more convenient to get everyone involved together online, and at much less cost, for the decision to be made.

Knowledge Sharing - Any person with expertise in a particular field can share knowledge with all your team easier and more regularly at affordable rates.

Work:Life Balance - With Video Conferencing technology life can be balanced far easier. Parents can still access meetings without having to stay at the office. Attending the meeting with the European participants means just getting on line rather than a trip to the office. So much more convenient that it used to be.

Team Building Development - It is easy to keep teams motivated with all members being able to access meetings from their desktop, you can create teams within your organisation. Team members can meet up for regular meetings just the same as if they all worked in the same building. There are no longer city or country boundaries.

Video Conferencing

2008-02-10T21:55:00.000Z

Video Conferencing

VIDEO CONFERENCING

When I first started looking at Video Conferencing one of my first thoughts is why would I use a Video Conferencing room when I could just go into a chat room? Well one of the main reasons is when it comes down to business you need the privacy.

Then I wondered...is it really necessary to go right through to Video Conferencing?

This depends on your use for the communication. If you want to communicate and have something to gain by actually seeing the body language of the person, maybe even just the facial expression - then it is worth the Video Conferencing.

Different product will suit different purposes and it may not be necessary for everything to go for Video Conferencing. There may be occasions when Audio Conferencing is satisfactory.

When considering Video Conferencing, also consider the advantages in the desktop sharing aspect. Is this available in the product that you are looking at? Will your viewers be using Mac or PC's?

Some packages cater for one and some cater for another. There are lots of questions to consider. An article will be coming to the www.vidconferencing.com website with a list of questions to ask yourself...

Elearning

2008-01-31T06:04:00.000Z

Elearning

If you are interested in E-learning or teach E-learning then it will pay you to spend a few minutes and read over these few comments...

I will start with E-Learning from a teacher viewpoint and would like to make sure that you are using the technology that is available now. Video Conferencing rooms can be utilised to host your private teaching at very reasonable cost and with the improved technology that we now have available and full desktop sharing the teaching systems become extremely effective.

Having the body language available to you to see how your students are progressing will help you determine there progress far more than relying on audio feedback. My advice is for you to make sure that you are familiar with this technology. If you would like to know more, please post to this blog and I will get in touch with you...

As an E-Learning student make sure that you have a teacher that is utilising the technology that is now available. Teachers can take you onto their desktop, take you to websites and show you what you want to learn so that later you can go back in your own time and study in more detail.

With video conferencing technology now available at very reasonable rates your tuition fees and standard of online education will be of a much higher standard. If you want to know more then post to this blog...

Email Marketing

2008-01-27T13:17:00.000Z

Email Marketing

So you are considering email marketing? Do you want to know what way to go and what words are best? There are plenty of people on the internet teaching people how to coerce people into buying their products by using the correct words to create the buying response. Have you considered Video Email Marketing? Now there is a thought!

The technology is now available for you to produce a personalised message for your prospective client/purchaser. What do you gain from using Video Email Marketing? Your email stands out from all those other emails. The result is a much more enjoyable experience for the recipient and you impress the person you are targeting. Would you like to know more about this? Then keep watching this blog, or you may like to make a post to the blog and ask for some more information to be sent to you...

Web Conferencing

2008-01-22T00:06:00.000Z

New Zealand Herald

2008-01-10T03:22:00.000Z

New Zealand Herald

Today
Police dive squad recover body of drowned man
Belfast Pool reopens
Police appeal for witnesses to gunpoint robbery
War memorial pillars to be handed back
Young killer freed to course attended by children
Napier home targeted by aggressive teenage girls
Rescued caver tells of 7hr chasm ordeal
Goat fight continues
Black day in court for hotel con suspect
Cheated franchisee loses faith in New Zealand
Stars' names used in ironing scam
New Alleged hotel conman denied bail
New Three more arrests over fatal bashing of NZ man
New Where is Keith Lapham?
Teens in custody

Wireless Webcam

2008-01-10T03:18:00.000Z

Wireless Webcam

Have you seen a Wireless Webcam?

Many people operate a wireless network in their home or office. It is so much more convenient having the flexibility to use your laptop or PDS without the need for a network cable. Now some webcams can be used with a wireless (wifi) network. These can be used for both video and still images on the World Wide Web.

A few uses for these are:
CCTV for offices - you can watch the activity in your office via the Internet.
PetCam - you can keep an eye on your pets while you are at work.
Security for Your Home - Set up a wireless in your home and you can set it to warn you via remote when any motion is detected.Mobile Webcam - Now you can attend a video meeting from your garden or offer a tour of your house.
Door or Garden surveillance - A Webcam can be set up from your home to view the area outside by your entry door or part of your garden
Computerless webcam - Use a wireless webcam without the need to keep your PC on (if you have a wireless router)

Ecommerce Solutions

2008-01-05T05:00:00.000Z

Ecommerce Solutions

Ecommerce Solution

E-loyalty programmes, similar to frequent flyer programmes, are becoming a powerful system of marketing for Internet-based commerce on the World Wide Web. Companies have launched marketing programmes for online retailers where customers are given points that can be redeemed for products and services. A customer visits a website and will be credited with points for purchasing from the site, via the site or maybe for filling in surveys and the like.

Internet businesses may benefit from the e-loyalty programmes by: Increased traffic to the website; Increased customer loyalty; the opportunity to track customers across multiple visits; the opportunity to create a relationship and to upsell, cross-sell through targeted email campaigns.

Compilation of detailed customer information in database form can develop into a long-term strategy and relationship with your customers.

Web Site Promotion

2008-01-02T03:14:00.000Z

Web Site Promotion

A while ago I was in a meeting and was asked for some advice on having a website built. The ladies have been in business for a while and were looking around for someone to build a website for them. When considering who you get to build your website it is important to determine how you will be using the website. Do you just want a website to refer people to? Or are you using the website to attract traffic to your business? If not now, is this something that you may want to do in the future?

One of the things that I think is most vital when you are looking for a website builder for your business is to get someone who has, or works with someone who has a good understanding of how to promote that website. There are a lot of people out in the market place who know a little bit about one or two aspects of marketing your website, yet do not understand the larger picture. What is needed is a good understanding of the different methods and how to maintain traffic on an ongoing basis. The field of internet marketing is changing continually and unless you get advice from a specialist you may find you end up missing out on a lot of possible business...

Ecommerce Solution

2007-12-30T08:10:00.000Z

Ecommerce Solution

Ecommerce Internet Solution

Managers must be educated so they can see the possibilities fo the Internet. There are still managers that are technically illiterate and some are proud of it. If this is the case, it is difficult for them to see the advantages offered by the Internet.

As the digital economy grows, more and more people are connected and share data between desktops to collaborate on projects. The developments and cost reductions for video technology are having more and more of an impact all the time and those managers missing this progression are likely to miss out on massive opportunities.

An interesting management tool that allows employees to flourish in an innovative and creative environment is the Business-of-One programme. This encourages employees to think of themselves not as a worker, rather as a sole business operator and contribute accordingly. The idea is used to create ownership by the employee within an organisation...

Business Meetings

2007-12-26T02:08:00.000Z

Business Meetings

Business Meetings – Some Tips

Would you like a few tips for your business meetings?

1. When you meet someone and get into a conversation with them keep in mind that you do not know who they may be connected to. Treat them with respect.

2. Remember the 80:20 rule. 80% of your business comes from 20% of your clients. Know who you clients are and recognise them. Always have time for that 20%.

3. Book an appointment from an appointment. Ask your appointment whether they know of anyone who may be interested in your services.

4. Networking becomes a habit. Each day, see if you can give your contact details to five people and receive business cards or contact details from five people. You will be amazed how fast your network will build.

5. Be a natural referrer yourself. Have available contact details for businesses you know, like and trust.

6. After meeting someone, do your best to familiarize yourself with their business by either looking at their website or arranging an appointment and visiting them at their business. This will give you a much better understanding of them and their business. Also, people like you to show a genuine interest in their business.

Business Online

2007-12-22T12:24:00.000Z

Business Online

The technology we now have is making massive changes to the way that we operate our businesses. The time is right to look for ways to incorporate adaptations of the old business practices into the new technology framework.

To give you an example, consider that you are invited to attend regular online meetings. Perhaps your old monthly meetings are being replaced by fortnightly video conferencing meetings. One thing you could do is volunteer to be a host for these meeting, you will obtain a greater understanding of the new technology and get to know the names and faces of the attendees.

Another suggestion is find a way to replace the old system of bringing a door prize to promote your business. Maybe you could ask attendees to send you their email address and they will go into a draw for a one hour free consultation, or for a gift voucher. Always remember to thank all attendees and send out a feedback email with an incentive for responding...

Network Marketing Training

2007-12-17T02:52:00.000Z

Network Marketing Training

Well now, what a huge topic!

Firstly, you must remember that Network Marketing is not just about the internet. The internet, when used correctly, has the ability to connect you with unlimited numbers of people.

However, what you want is to be connected with people that fit into your preferred target market. It can be easier to do this by attending physical functions than online events. It most certainly is beneficial to get out and physically get a feeling for networking and then apply the skills that you have learnt to your internet based network marketing.

The first thing you want to do when networking is to relax. When I first started, a wine or two would get me to the relaxed stage and then I found it lots easier to go up and start talking to people. We all feel nervous at first talking with people, just go out there, feel the fear and start chatting to someone anyway. A casual comment about something can soon get a conversation going.

It may help you to bring a guest along, or to be invited by a guest. I have found sometimes this works and yet other times when you go by yourself, you meet some really interesting people. The funny part is that you may never have met these people had you attended with someone else to start with.

Just relax and look in anticipation for the next person to talk with, your attitude will come through if you are keen to meet people. Have confidence, you can do it....

Digital Video Camera

2007-12-11T03:01:00.000Z

Digital Video Camera

Network Marketing Tool

2007-12-09T01:40:00.000Z

Network Marketing Tool

Networking and nurturing strong relationships with potential customers and alliances is an invaluable and ongoing marketing activity. Building personal networks is essential for your marketing a business. When you get out and start networking within one set of networks you will find links into yet other networks and so it goes on and on. There are lots of networks and groups all catering to different interests and needs, from industry to business to hobbies and everything in-between.

Before joining a group, or attending networking events, get clear about why you want to belong and what you intend achieving from the membership or the event. Are you looking for buisness referrals or contacts? Or are you looking to educate yourself? Are you looking to learn from those more experienced than yourself, or gain inspiration? Are you just wanting to keep up with the latest trends? These groups or events are a Network Marketing Tool.

Marketing is about creating relationships and building your business is about developing those into solid relationships with customers that are loyal to you and/or your business. This will create the best form of marketing possible - business by word-of-mouth...

Accounting Seminars

2007-12-06T10:21:00.000Z

Accounting Seminars

With the technology that is available today it would be very easy to hold Accounting Seminars online. In the past I was an accounting tutor to Chinese students and with my experience in online video meeting rooms I can safely say that it would be easy to tutor accounting online.

Accounting Seminars would be a great way to get the message through to your students. The students would be able to email you with any questions prior to the seminar. In the Accounting Seminars you can share you desktop if necessary to explain the lesson by use of either your spreadsheets in excel or by PowerPoint. Technology is changing our lives and making learning so much simpler...

Online Interactive Learning

2007-11-21T20:12:00.000Z

Online Interactive Learning

Online Interactive Learning takes place now with some organisations. In the near future Online Interactive Learning will become a major part of the education system in many fields and regions.

Businesses are now turning to educating both their staff and customers using Online Interactive Games especially designed as a learning system. Internationally, large businesses are turning to Online Interactive Learning more and more every day. A while ago I attended a conference where a very successful designer of Online Interactive Games software was speaking about the range of clients using his company's product. The companies are utilising these games as a method to make learning a more enjoyable process and using them to train both their staff and their customers.

Lets face it if you want to learn something, it is a lot easier and more enjoyable when some fun is involved with it. Online Interactive Learning is the way of the future and growing rapidly day by day...

Email Marketing

2007-11-13T08:18:00.000Z

Email Marketing

Email marketing exceeds other marketing channels for a number of reasons. It is forwardable, can be stored and referred to later so that the effort taken to produce one email may have repeat benefits. You can measure the success of your email marketing if you have the appropriate software. It can be interactive. It is cost effective. It is fast. The appearance that you give from your marketing can be professional, especially if you use effective email marketing software/systems. It is a perfect way to test the market. It is suitable for any audience and you can adjust the email to suit the target market. Really this is to me one of the huge benefits with Email Marketing in that you can target your market so much better than any other form of marketing and better than has ever been available before.

You can link your email to the rest of your online setup e.g. your website/s and this is extremely cost effective. As well as this you can tie your email marketing into your offline marketing making a fully integrated email system. So get out there and start or upgrade your email marketing...

Business Online

2007-09-08T09:06:00.000Z

Business Online

It happened again!

What, you may ask...well I'll tell you...

I own my own business, although I work alongside another guy who owns his own business too. Anyway recently there have been a couple of occasions when his emails were delayed in transit for some reason. So what do you do? We needed to make a decision on something urgently...

What we did was we went into my Video Conferencing room. I took host status and went into desktop sharing took him through into my copy of the information and we discussed things online. Do you have any idea just how convenient it was? I am sure in the past you would have had occasions when you have discussed, over the telephone, something that you are making a decision on and without the visual aspect it can be particularly difficult. The ability for desktop sharing and discussion while you are sharing in a secure environment is just fabulous. It certainly makes for a smoother business operation. All I can say is WOW this latest technology is fantastic and sooo affordable even for the small business owner. Yeah, Video Conferencing!!

Video Conference

2007-08-08T23:03:00.000Z

Video Conference

Video Conferencing is now affordable for the broader business marketplace. In days gone by the technology could only be afforded by large corporation. That has all changed.

Four of the key benefits of Video Conferencing

Faster Decision Making - WIth online presence iti is much easier and more convenient to get everyone involved together online, and at much less cost, for the decision to be made.

Knowledge Sharing - Any person with expertise in a particular field can share knowledge with all your team easier and more regularly at affordable rates.

Work:Life Balance - With Video Conferencing technology life can be balanced far easier. Parents can still access meetings without having to stay at the office. Attending the meeting with the European participants means just getting on line rather than a trip to the office. So much more convenient that it used to be.

Team Building Development - It is easy to keep teams motivated with all members being able to access meetings from their desktop, you can create teams within your organisation. Team members can meet up for regular meetings just the same as if they all worked in the same building. There are no longer city or country boundaries.

Conference Call

2007-08-07T05:54:00.000Z

Video Conferencing

2007-08-06T01:47:00.000Z

Video Conferencing

VIDEO CONFERENCING…

When I first started looking at Video Conferencing one of my first thoughts is why would I use a Video Conferencing room when I could just go into a chat room? Well one of the main reasons is when it comes down to business you need the privacy.

Then I wondered...is it really necessary to go right through to Video Conferencing? This depends on your use for the communication. If you are wanting to communicate and have something to gain by actually seeing the body language of the person, maybe even just the facial expression - then it is worth the Video Conferencing. Different product will suit different purposes and it may not be necessary for everything to go for Video Conferencing. There may be occasions when Audio Conferencing is satisfactory. When considering Video Conferencing, also consider the advantages in the desktop sharing aspect. Is this available in the product that you are looking at? Will your viewers be using Mac or PC's? Some packages cater for one and some cater for another. There are lots of questions to consider. An article will be coming to the www.vidconferencing.com website shortly with a list of questions to ask yourself...

Elearning

2007-08-03T21:23:00.001Z

Elearning

If you are interested in E-learning or teach E-learning then it will pay you to spend a few minutes and read over these few comments...

I will start with E-Learning as a teacher and would like to make sure that you are using the technology that is available now. Video Conferencing rooms can be utilised to host your private teaching at very reasonable cost and with the improved technology that we now have available and full desktop sharing the teaching systems become extremely effective. Having the body language available to you to see how your students are progressing will help you determine there progress far more than relying on audio feedback. My advice is for you to make sure that you are familiar with this technology. If you would like to know more, please post to this blog and I will get in touch with you...

As an E-Learning student make sure that you have a teacher that is utilising the technology that is now available. Teachers can take you onto their desktop, take you to websites and show you what you want to learn so that later you can go back in your own time and study in more detail. With video conferencing technology now available at very reasonable rates your tuition fees and standard of online education will be of a much higher standard. If you want to know more then post to this blog...

Elearning

2007-08-03T21:23:00.000Z

Email Marketing

2007-08-02T02:27:00.000Z

Email Marketing

Email Marketing

So you are considering email marketing? Do you want to know what way to go and what words are best? There are plenty of people on the internet teaching people how to coerce people into buying their products by using the correct words to create the buying response. Have you considered Video Email Marketing? Now there is a thought!

The technology is now available for you to produce a personalised message for your prospective client/purchaser. What do you gain from using Video Email Marketing? Your email stands out from all those other emails. The result is a much more enjoyable experience for the recipient and you impress the person you are targeting. Would you like to know more about this? Then keep watching this blog, or you may like to make a post to the blog and ask for some more information to be sent to you...

Wireless Webcam

2007-07-29T08:45:00.000Z

Wireless Webcam

Have you seen a Wireless Webcam?

Many people operate a wireless network in their home or office. It is so much more convenient having the flexibility to use your laptop or PDS without the need for a network cable. Now some webcams can be used with a wireless (wifi) network. These can be used for both video and still images on the World Wide Web.

A few uses for these are:
CCTV for offices - you can watch the activity in your office via the Internet.
PetCam - you can keep an eye on your pets while you are at work.
Security for Your Home - Set up a wireless in your home and you can set it to warn you via remote when any motion is detected.Mobile Webcam - Now you can attend a video meeting from your garden or offer a tour of your house.
Door or Garden surveillance - A Webcam can be set up from your home to view the area outside by your entry door or part of your gardenComputerless webcam - Use a wireless webcam without the need to keep your PC on (if you have a wireless router)

Web Conferencing

2007-07-28T04:36:00.000Z

Web Conferencing

Video & Web Conferencing: How To Determine Which Features Will Benefit You The Most

by Dan Richmond
Web and video conferencing technology is becoming more sophisticated with each passing day. A few years ago it was a novelty just to talk with someone online, and view his or her image at the same time. Today web conferences bring together entire companies in complex interaction that rivals live face-to-face meetings. How you might benefit from the latest developments in web conferencing depends on your particular needs. Here are a few points that you should consider.

1. Do you need to make a Powerpoint or other presentation during your conference?
If you answered “yes” to this question, then you will be glad to know that current web and video conferencing services allow the host of a conference to present a slide show or power point demonstration that will be visible on the screens of all the participants of a conference. Similarly, hosts can also open and show other document formats to their attendees. If you need this kind of capability, make sure that your conference provider can give this to you.

2. Do you require telephone conferencing integrated with your web/video conference?
Many organizations have found telephone conferencing to be an effective way to get work done. If you are already connecting with your members and staff via telephone conferences you can expand on this by choosing a web conferencing system that integrates telephone conferencing along with the online conference. The combined service will give you the ease of phone conferencing along with the enhanced visual and presentation features of online conferencing.
Some services allow the host to pay the long distance bill of all the participants (toll free conferencing), while others require each participant to cover their long distance fees.

3. Do all of your conference participants use the same type of computer?
If your participants are going to be using a variety of computers (PC, Mac, Linux) then you will benefit most by choosing a web conferencing system that works on any platform. While earlier conferencing systems required the downloading of complex software that would work only on specified operating systems, newer conferencing formats are delivered online and are browser based. They work on any operating system and if yours in an eclectic audience, then you will get best results with this type of conferencing.

4. Will it be necessary for one of your technicians to “take-over” and operate the computers of any of your participants?
If you wish to use conferencing as a service tool and want to avoid having to send out your service team on physical visits to clients, you can save a lot of travel time and cost by selecting a web and video conferencing system that allows the host of the conference to go online and actually take control of the computer of the client or conference participant. If you are looking at web conferencing as an after-sales service tool, then this particular feature will probably give you one of the most important benefits that you could wish for.

5. Do you want to conduct an online poll or survey during the conference?
If you have a large organization and want to make a quick and accurate poll of opinion or vote on a particular issue then the new polling capabilities of the most advanced web conferencing services will be an important feature for you.
Similarly, if you need to gather demographic information about your meeting participants, obtain valuable input, or quiz and test your participants, then the new online survey capabilities of current web conferencing systems will be an important feature to look for when choosing your conference format. Data from these types of online “surveys” can typically be saved and used for future use.

6. Do you want to brainstorm online, using a “whiteboard”?
Brainstorming is a great way to tap the ideas of a group and to come up with and select new ideas. If this is what you like to do when holding physical meetings, then you will probably want to be able to do the same thing in your virtual meetings as well. This is now possible in some of the more advanced web conferencing systems by using a “group notepad” that enables meeting participants to utilize a shared workspace. The results of these brainstorming sessions can typically be saved in a storage area.

Which of these features will benefit you the most? It all depends on your particular needs. However, one thing is sure: once you experience the convenience of online meetings, you will not want to go back to the era when every meeting required you to pack up your bags and get on an airplane.

Dan Richmond is Co-founder of MegaMeeting.com. MegaMeeting provides Web & Video Conferencing services for individuals & businesses. For more information, please visit www.MegaMeeting.com or call 818.783.4311.
Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com

Ecommerce Solution

2007-07-27T04:28:00.000Z

Ecommerce Solution

E-loyalty programmes, similar to frequent flyer programmes, are becoming a powerful system of marketing for Internet-based commerce on the World Wide Web. Companies have launched marketing programmes for online retailers where customers are given points that can be redeemed for products and services. A customer visits a website and will be credited with points for purchasing from the site, via the site or maybe for filling in surveys and the like.

Internet businesses may benefit from the e-loyalty programmes by: Increased traffic to the website; Increased customer loyalty; the opportunity to track customers across multiple visits; the opportunity to create a relationship and to upsell, cross-sell through targeted email campaigns.

Compilation of detailed customer information in database form can develop into a long-term strategy and relationship with your customers.

Web Site Promotion

2007-07-24T04:04:00.000Z

Ecommerce Internet Solution

2007-07-22T08:53:00.000Z

Ecommerce Internet Solution

Managers must be educated so they can see the possibilities fo the Internet. There are still managers that are technically illiterate and some are proud of it. If this is the case, it is difficult for them to see the advantages offered by the Internet.

As the digital economy grows, more and more people are connected and share data between desktops to collaborate on projects. The developments and cost reductions for video technology are having more and more of an impact all the time and those managers missing this progression are likely to miss out on massive opportunities.

An interesting management tool that allows employees to flourish in an innovative and creative environment is the Business-of-One programme. This encourages employees to think of themselves not as a worker, rather as a sole business operator and contribute accordingly. The idea is used to create ownership by the employee within an organisation...

Business Meetings

2007-07-18T04:48:00.000Z

Business Meetings

Business Meetings – Some Tips

Would you like a few tips for your business meetings?

1. When you meet someone and get into a conversation with them keep in mind that you do not know who they may be connected to. Treat them with respect.

2. Remember the 80:20 rule. 80% of your business comes from 20% of your clients. Know who you clients are and recognise them. Always have time for that 20%.

3. Book an appointment from an appointment. Ask your appointment whether they know of anyone who may be interested in your services.

4. Networking becomes a habit. Each day, see if you can give your contact details to five people and receive business cards or contact details from five people. You will be amazed how fast your network will build.

5. Be a natural referrer yourself. Have available contact details for businesses you know, like and trust.

6. After meeting someone, do your best to familiarize yourself with their business by either looking at their website or arranging an appointment and visiting them at their business. This will give you a much better understanding of them and their business. Also, people like you to show a genuine interest in their business.

Business Online

2007-07-14T07:12:00.000Z

Network Marketing Training

2007-07-13T05:22:00.000Z

Network Marketing Training

Well now, what a huge topic! Firstly, you must remember that Network Marketing is not just about the internet. The internet, when used correctly, has the ability to connect you with unlimited numbers of people. However, what you want is to be connected with people that fit into your preferred target market. It can be easier to do this by attending physical functions than online events. It most certainly is beneficial to get out and physically get a feeling for networking and then apply the skills that you have learnt to your internet based network marketing.

The first thing you want to do when networking is to relax. When I first started, a wine or two would get me to the relaxed stage and then I found it lots easier to go up and start talking to people. We all feel nervous at first talking with people, just go out there, feel the fear and start chatting to someone anyway. A casual comment about something can soon get a conversation going. It may help you to bring a guest along, or to be invited by a guest. I have found sometimes this works and yet other times when you go by yourself, you meet some really interesting people. The funny part is that you may never have met these people had you attended with someone else to start with. Just relax and look in anticipation for the next person to talk with, your attitude will come through if you are keen to meet people. Have confidence, you can do it....

Teleconferencing

2007-07-12T06:44:00.000Z

Teleconferencing

When Teleconferencing comes into the Picture
August 5th, 2006
We have all heard about different conferencing possibilities that are out there to enhance business and educational communication. However, some inquiries still arise when we are confronted with what services best fit our needs and the demands of those around us. Teleconferencing, for instance, contrary to videoconferencing which implies the use of video, is undergone only with audio support. Tele conferencing (also referred to as audio conferencing and conference calling) is carried out over regular telephone lines and can be conducted rather inexpensively.

When choosing a service, there are two main alternatives, reservationless or operator-assisted. The first comes into view as the most economical and user friendly as a telephone number and pin code are the only needed requirements to get you started. What’s more, it abolishes any possible human error consequence of operator assisted services. Greater flexibility is offered as it is permanently available and once you have adhered to the service, you only need to worry about setting a time and date with your participants to perform a meeting.

Operator assisted teleconferencing, on the other hand, is recommended for meetings with larger number participants and can avoid potential problems that come up as a result. An operator is available to carry out certain tasks such as checking out or adding participants, splitting larger groups into smaller clusters, as well as perform a variety of other services. Organizing an operated assisted conference, however, implies calling an operator a day in advance.

In a highly competitive world, strengthening professional and personal connections come up as crucial. Conferencing services therefore offer various possibilities at the disposal of all to enhance communication, be it in a meeting at a major company, at a university with a guest speaker or to simply bring loved ones together regardless of where they are.
Sources:http://wwww.businessweek.buyerzone.com/teelcon_services/conference-calling.html

Digital Video Camera

2007-07-10T23:59:00.000Z

Digital Video Camera

Digital Cameras can offer one thing that film lacked, convenience. With your digital camera you can review your photos or videos instantly, and putting them on your computer is a simple drag and drop operation via a USB cable or card reader. Now that we are in the digital age, instant gratification is expected in everything.

Convenience is one of the major driving forces behind the digital video camera technology taking off. The MiniDV does a better job of handling rapid movement than the MPEG-2 Camcorder.

Transferring your movies to your PC with a DVD camcorder usually involves connecting your camera to your PC via a USB cable and then using software provided by the vendor to import the movies from the disc to your PC. The downside here is that you must often use the software provided to do the transfer. With MiniDV cameras, you can usually use any video editor that provides a digital video capture function.

Network Marketing Tools

2007-07-10T04:53:00.000Z

Network Marketing Tools

Network Marketing Tool

Networking and nurturing strong relationships with potential customers and alliances is an invaluable and ongoing marketing activity. Building personal networks is essential for your marketing a business. When you get out and start networking within one set of networks you will find links into yet other networks and so it goes on and on. There are lots of networks and groups all catering to different interests and needs, from industry to business to hobbies and everything in-between.

Before joining a group, or attending networking events, get clear about why you want to belong and what you intend achieving from the membership or the event. Are you looking for buisness referrals or contacts? Or are you looking to educate yourself? Are you looking to learn from those more experienced than yourself, or gain inspiration? Are you just wanting to keep up with the latest trends? These groups or events are a Network Marketing Tool.

Marketing is about creating relationships and building your business is about developing those into solid relationships with customers that are loyal to you and/or your business. This will create the best form of marketing possible - business by word-of-mouth...

Accounting Seminars

2007-07-09T08:03:00.000Z

Online Interactive Learning

2007-07-07T13:43:00.000Z

Online Interactive Learning

Online Interactive Learning takes place now with some organisations. From what I can see, in the near future Online Interactive Learning will become a major part of the education system in many fields and regions.

Businesses are now turning to educating both their staff and customers using Online Interactive Games especially designed as a learning system. Internationally large businesses are turning to Online Interactive Learning more and more every day. This week I attended a conference where a very successful designer of Online Interactive Games software was speaking about the range of clients using his company's product. The companies are utilising these games as a method to make learning a more enjoyable process and using them to train both their staff and their customers.

Lets face it if you want to learn something; it is a lot easier and more enjoyable when some fun is involved with it. Online Interactive Learning is the way of the future and growing rapidly day by day...

Voice Conferencing

2007-07-06T07:49:00.000Z

Voice Conferencing

FCC Referees Dispute Over Free Conferencing

Large telecom carriers complain free conferencing and voice services don't compete fairly.
Part 1 of a special five-part series. -->
Grant Gross, IDG News Service
Sunday, July 01, 2007 5:00 PM PDT

Large telecom carriers complained that free conferencing and similar voice services are a scam that take advantage of a loophole in long-distance price regulations. Small providers of the services complained that the carriers have no right to block their customers' calls.
Late Thursday, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission stepped into the dispute, giving both sides something to cheer about.
The FCC ruled that large carriers cannot resort to the "self-help" measure of blocking calls without its permission. But the agency also said it was suspending the termination fees charged by 39 rural carriers due to "substantial questions raised" about the legality of the long-distance termination fees they collect.

The dispute began early this year, when AT&T Inc., Qwest Communications International Inc. and Sprint Nextel Corp. filed lawsuits against two rural local exchange carriers (LECs) and 10 chat-line service operators in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. In March, FreeConference.com complained that the three telecom carriers were blocking customers from calling its service.
FreeConference.com gives its customers free voice conferencing services when they dial a long-distance number provided by the company.
Here's how it works: Under legacy telecom regulations, telecom carriers must pay termination fees when their customers make a long-distance call to a telephone number controlled by a local exchange carrier (LEC). The termination fees vary greatly, from about US$0.01 to $0.13 per minute, with rural LECs generally collecting higher fees.

FreeConference.com and similar businesses make money by sending long-distance traffic to LECs with relatively high termination fees and splitting the termination fees with the LECs. Customers calling the service generally have to pay long-distance fees.

Other businesses using the same model include free voice mail services, sex chat lines and services that forward international calls.
AT&T, in an April letter to the FCC, complained that these "traffic-pumping arrangements ... are scams, pure and simple." One rural Iowa LEC changed its termination fees and went from charging AT&T about $2,000 a month to more than $2 million in a single month, wrote James Cicconi, AT&T's senior executive vice president for external and legislative affairs.

"The end result is millions of calls to the advertised phone numbers, millions of dollars in monthly access charge billings, and enormous windfalls both to the ... LEC and the calling service provider, all funded by [large carriers] and their customers, the vast majority of whom never call and want nothing to do with these services," Cicconi wrote.

Alex Cory, CEO of FreeConference parent company Global Conference Partners, said some abuse of termination fees may exist, but his company isn't one of the abusers. FreeConference uses large LECs that generally have termination fees in the $0.03 to $0.04 range, while carriers like AT&T collect close to $0.08 per minute for a long-distance call, he said.

Even with the termination fees FreeConference's LEC partners collect, the long-distance carriers still make money, he said. "Essentially, this is a revenue-sharing business," Cory said. "I continue to be bewildered that the major carriers aren't interested in business models profitable to them."

The major carriers have complained because FreeConference offers a cheaper service than their own conferencing products, Cory said. "They were looking to shut down competition," he said.

FreeConference complained to the FCC that AT&T and other carriers were violating the agency's common carrier rules by blocking calls from its customers. FreeConference filed a lawsuit against AT&T in March, but later withdrew it when after it said AT&T stopped blocking its calls. FreeConference continues to have problems with quality of service on telephone networks operated by major carriers, Cory said.
Groups that advocate for net neutrality rules prohibiting large broadband carriers from blocking or slowing Internet traffic have also weighed in, saying the carriers' actions in this dispute show they're also capable of doing the same thing with Internet traffic they don't like.
AT&T denies that it has blocked calls. The company has "repeatedly provided evidence to the FCC that these unsupported claims are unfounded," an AT&T spokesman said.

Both sides claimed victory after Thursday's FCC decision. With its investigation into the termination fees by 39 rural carriers, the FCC "sent a strong signal that these traffic pumping scams are illegal and will not be permitted," AT&T said in a statement.
Cory also praised the FCC decision, saying it was the "strongest statement I've ever seen in print about the illegality ... of self-help actions."

Email Marketing

2007-07-05T11:55:00.000Z

Time Management Training

2007-07-04T06:00:00.000Z

Time Management Training

Time Management Training is one of my favourite topics. Time is the one thing that we all have the same amount of and yet people spend their time in so many different ways and achieve such amazingly different levels of production with the same amount of time. So why is this?

One of the key factors is focus. When we are focused on achieving our goals and stick to the path we are more directed. In this day of technology there are benefits and detriments. Receiving a telephone call causes a distraction to our workflow and if we are in a flow. That one call will take us out of the flow and it normally will take a period before we get back into that flow. Thus ending up wasting our time. Emails help in this regard and can be very effective if both parties use them appropriately.

There are arguments for both sides on the telephone issue. One is that we should answer all our customers’ calls immediately. The other view is it is best to allocate times when you are not available so that you can get a good workflow and results achieved. From what I see a happy medium with this could be that you determine when you receive most of your customer calls and make yourself available over that period. At quieter times from those calls dedicate time for no interruptions with someone else receiving your calls and only passing on urgent messages or leave your phone on answer phone is yours is a small business.

Other issues on time management will be covered in blogs to come... I have lots more comments on this area.

Web Conferencing

2007-07-03T06:51:00.000Z

Web Conferencing

Six Ways Video & Web Conferencing Can Benefit Your Business

by Dan Richmond
Are you really using the power of modern technology to make your business more profitable? Sure, you are using e-mail, you have a web page and you may be reaching your clients and customers with an electronic mailing list, but are you using web and video conferencing to hold virtual meetings with your employees, customers and clients in different geographical locations? Here are six ways how web and video conferencing can help you to increase the efficiency of your enterprise.

First however, it is important to know what web and video conferencing are. Web conferencing is when two or more people “meet” over the Internet to share information and ideas. Web conferencing systems typically provide tools that allow participants to perform “Online Collaboration” by working together over the Internet, sharing applications and documents.

Some web conferencing tools include the ability to share one's desktop, allowing participants to “present” information, be it a PowerPoint Presentation, an Excel Spreadsheet or a Word Document with other attendees of their web conference. It is even possible for participants to remotely control other participants' computers. Video conferencing allows participants to see and hear each other using head sets and web cams, and is usually included in good web conferencing system.

Now take a look at how some companies are already getting the benefits of this cutting- edge technology:
1. They are holding “web meetings” with prospects, customers, clients and fellow workers without having to incur any travel expenses. These face-to-face meetings are conducted using the click of a keyboard and the movement of a mouse.

2. They are demonstrating and supporting products and services without having to send people to far-flung destinations. Web conferencing can enable your staff to get behind the desk of your client and do the trouble shooting or give the training that you may be currently doing, without having to send your support staff out on expensive personal visits.

3. They are holding virtual training and classrooms for students, employees and clients . Schools and Universities in particular are using web and video conferencing to create “virtual classrooms,” while companies are training their employees at several locations using combined web and video conferences.
4. They are giving online web and video support to clients . Live chat boxes are great, I use them all the time, but the support you can offer when your technician can take over a client's computer and really fix the problem is much more powerful. And, when your client can see who is helping him or her, it really adds a special “warm and fuzzy” touch.

5. They are saving thousands of dollars in travel costs by cutting down on commuting and travel and time spent out of the office . “As a result of this technology, our need to travel between offices has been greatly reduced, which has already saved us thousands of dollars,” says Saul Rothschild, Information Systems Manager at Steel Encounters, Inc.”

In times of rising fuel costs, web and video conferencing can really make a huge difference to a company's bottom line. Companies using web conferencing are not only able to cut down on their travel expenses, but their sales representatives, trainers and support staff also get to spend more productive time in the office and do not lose valuable hours sitting in a car or on a plane.

6. They are thinking “outside the box” and devising new ways to work now that they are free of geographical limitations . The companies and organizations that have adopted web and video conferencing technology are marketing products and services, conducting training and giving support as if all their employees, prospects and clients were working together under one roof. Company meetings, sales meetings, employee training, and product launches are now being conducted with a new 21 st Century flair.

So, consider your own business or activity and think of how web and video conferencing could help you to work more effectively with all your constituents without having to leave your office.

Dan Richmond is CEO and Co-founder of MegaMeeting.com. His company provides web conferencing and video conferencing services for individuals, businesses and educational institutions. Dan can be reached either via the phone at (818) 783-4311 or via e-mail at DanR@MegaMeeting.com. Visit their website http://www.MegaMeeting.com for more information.
Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com

Future Of Ecommerce

2007-07-01T08:38:00.000Z

Future Of Ecommerce

There are varying viewpoints on the Future of Ecommerce. There is the group of people who believe the internet is going to continue the robust growth it has been having and that it will have a huge economic impact that is only starting to be seen now. Some believe that many dot-com businesses are doing well. They are running with sound business practices and are doing it without cash from venture capitalists.

The internet is seen as having a positive impact on businesses big and small, by not just improving sales but also by taking business processes and streamlining them and making businesses more productive and hence more profitable. The savings that have been created by improvement to business processes have made some huge savings for businesses, including some multibillion-dollar companies.

Then there is the other viewpoint that e-commerce is heading for a fall. Some believe that as time goes on sales will start to fall. Those online shoppers are not loyal and are only after a fantastic deal and freebies and will not return to a site, just flit around looking for the latest bargain. Also it is seen that the increase in online shoppers is likely to come from the older population and they will be more cautious about buying online.

If you would like my two bobs worth as a past retail business owner, I see many advantages for business owners in using the internet. From my experience, dealing with business people and talking about the internet, there are a number of business people that are afraid of the internet. When I look at their businesses and their reluctance to take the challenge of mastering the web it concerns me. Out of my other eye I see the young up and coming people with business ideas and more efficient systems starting to take over from these older businesses.

Whatever happens, the future will be very exciting and I do see the internet playing a major part in business whether it is by contributing to increased sales and/or increased efficiency

Video Conferencing Systems

2007-06-30T06:49:00.000Z

Video Conferencing Systems

LifeSize Control

LifeSize® Control™ is an all-in-one, video management software solution that provides complete management for multi-vendor environments.

LifeSize Control is designed for IT managers and video network administrators responsible for growing video communication networks.

Complete web-browser based video management software for multi-vendor networks.

Complete Multi-Vendor ManagementLifeSize Control is a fully integrated and secure, web browser-based application that provides complete management of multi-vendor video communications systems and IP devices.

Real-Time ManagementDiscover, monitor and manage video devices and set up workflow to cell phones or email for troubleshooting and problem resolution. The result is higher system availability and, the ultimate benefit, satisfied end users.

SchedulingLifeSize Control provides a web-based scheduler for administrators that is time zone aware and provides powerful point-to-point and multipoint scheduling capabilities. The Automatic Call Establishment™ (ACE) feature eliminates the need for forward call planning by intelligently assigning resource, establishing calls and re-routing failed calls.

ReportingPowerful, graphical reporting available on demand and one button export to PDF™ or other formats makes tracking usage, service level agreements and cost of ownership easy.
Investment ProtectionLifeSize Control is an extensible application built on the Microsoft.NET™ platform and industry standard RDBMS. The user interface leverages Macromedia® Flash® for a simple to use, graphical interface.

The ResultProactive management using LifeSize Control means greater simplicity for end users and administrators, low total cost of ownership and better return on video communications investments.

Features and Benefits
All-in-one video management software with multi-vendor support for all features
Based on Microsoft.NET architecture and industry standard RDBMS
Real-time monitoring, and active alarms
Complete web-based scheduling
Standards-based global directory services (H.350)
Automatic Call Establishment (ACE) for no forward call planning
Powerful, relevant reporting and export to PDF, Excel, CSV and HTML
Remote software upgrades
End to end secure management
Experience the Difference: Schedule a Demo

Work From Home Online Business

2007-06-29T04:02:00.001Z

Work From Home Online Business

Are you looking for a Work from Home Online Business? If you are, there are plenty of options and once again I must say that determining which the right business is for you will depend on your passions and what can really keep you excited.

It can be really confusing determining the option of Work from Home Online Business that you would like to take further. There are plenty of options. Those that promise big returns quickly may well be short-lived. If there is mention of some work before you get results, this is probably more realistic.

From my experience I would say that Online Business requires work and persistence to achieve the longer term results. Some of the others may work, be careful though.

To make the Work from Home Online Business work more effectively it is a good idea to be up-to-date with the technology that you are using or you may soon be frustrated. Using good technology with plenty of speed makes the work far more enjoyable...

Work From Home Online Business

2007-06-29T04:02:00.000Z

Best Online Business

2007-06-28T10:23:00.000Z

Best Online Business

Well now, you are looking for the Best Online Business are you? The funny thing is that the Best Online Business will be different for different people.

Each person has different strengths and weaknesses so the Best Online Business will be dependent on many factors. What I consider to be the Best Online Business you may consider to be not suitable for you at all. To give you an example if you are an ardent photographer then a business involving photographs will be extremely appealing to you. A person who really has no interest in photography and no natural ability in that field whatsoever would look at the business involving photography and find it difficult to get excited and passionate about the opportunity.

The Best Online Business for you is something that you can get passionate about. You may need to learn some facets of the business, but there will be a part of the business that really gets you excited. That excitement is needed to get you through the challenging periods as the business grows. So have a good think about what it is that excites you and what the Best Online Business is for you? You may well know the answer to that more than anyone else...

Video Conferencing

2007-06-27T01:01:00.000Z

Video Conferencing

WEDNESDAY JUNE 27, 2007 Last modified: Monday, June 25, 2007 10:25 PM PDT
No in-person court appearance necessary

By JIM SECKLER/The Daily News
KINGMAN - Juveniles in custody at the juvenile detention facility will now be able to go before the judge through video conferencing.About a year ago, Superior Court upgraded its video conferencing capabilities making it easier to use with better quality in sound and video, Superior Court automation systems manager Kyle Rimel said.

Last weekend, Superior Court Judge Richard Weiss and Drug Court Commissioner Lee Jantzen began using video conferencing to hold hearings for juveniles at the detention facility without the need to transport the juveniles to court. The county saves in the time and the cost of having probation officers transport juveniles to Superior Court.Assistant Chief Probation Officer Girlie Forman said the goal is to use video conferencing every day but the logistics of having attorneys and parents in court and whether the video is already being used has to be worked out. Video conferencing will be used for juveniles' initial appearances for now with the goal of it being used for all hearings.Judges can also use video conferencing for adult inmate's initial appearances, or the first time an inmate makes an appearance in court, in Superior Court and in the lower courts such as Kingman,Bullhead City and Lake Havasu City justice and municipal courts. That saves in transportation costs and is also a safety factor, Rimel said.Video conferencing was used to hold a court hearing for a dangerous adult inmate so the inmate did not have to be brought to Superior Court from county jail.Testing of video conferencing has also taken place for remote judges and court reporters from Phoenix. However, an actual hearing has not taken place but the capability is there if needed.In case of an illness, a judge in a courtroom in Mohave County could use a court reporter from Phoenix using two cameras showing two views of the courtroom. One day, court reporters from anywhere in the country could be used.A Kingman judge could also use the video conferencing to handle court cases in Bullhead City or Lake Havasu City. Judges from another county will also be able to use video conferencing in a Mohave County case, Rimel said.The 5,000-square-foot expansion of the Bullhead City courthouse in September also saw an upgrade in high-tech video conferencing as well as video conferencing capability in Weiss and Jantzen's courtrooms in Superior Court in Kingman.

Audio Conferencing Services

2007-06-25T04:25:00.000Z

Audio Conferencing Services

High Definition Audio Communications

LifeSize® Phone™ is the high definition audio conference phone that delivers revolutionary audio conferencing sound quality and room coverage.

High Definition Audio Conferencing to Hear Everyone ClearlyLifeSize Phone enables people to communicate effectively, whether working from a large conference room or a small office setting. For weekly executive and sales conference calls to regular project team meetings, audio conferencing needs to be productive.

Better Input - Complete Room CoveragePowered by 16 always-on microphones and exclusive, patent-pending circular microphone array and beam forming technology, LifeSize Phone provides a seamless and immersive experience. With improved room coverage over existing devices, LifeSize Phone is far more robust than existing systems which typically use directional, gated microphones with only one microphone active at a time.

Better Algorithms - Super Wide-Band Audio up to 16 kHzTrue CD quality, super wide-band audio up to 16 kHz uses MPEG4 AAC, the same algorithm used in the popular iPod® and iTunes® products.
Better Output — 10X Lower DistortionUsing a specially designed titanium speaker driver, LifeSize Phone reduces distortion by up to 10X over any other conference phone and results in better intelligibility via extended frequency response -- no need for a subwoofer with LifeSize Phone.
Flexible Connectivity - VoIP and Video System IntegrationLifeSize Phone provides exceptional VoIP conference phone quality and integration to a host of Enterprise-class IP-PBX systems (SIP and H.323) which are also available through IP-based service providers. Also, use LifeSize Phone as a fully integrated audio solution with LifeSize® Room™ and LifeSize® Team™ video systems. Users can dial video calls or add audio participants from the simple to use touchpad and experience high definition quality, integrated audio conferencing.

IP-PBX Integration ProgramsLifeSize Phone is pre-tested and integrated with multiple IP-PBX vendors to ensure the highest quality voice and video solutionstightly integrated with overall business communication's requirements. Testing is conducted across multiple vendors targeted at supporting a wide range of features. IP-PBX vendors currently in the LifeSize Integration Program include: Cisco, Avaya, Nortel, Siemens, Shoretel, Alcatel, Adtran, Asterisk, Broadsoft, 3COM, Mitel, Interactive Intelligence, PingTel. For additional information, visit the support site at (http://lifesize.com/support/) for current details regardingIP-PBX Integration Tech Notes and IP-PBX Certification status.
The ResultHear all participants in your audio conference with ease, reduce fatigue and experience improved productivity and decision making.

Features and Benefits
High definition audio conferencing phone
Three-way audio conferencing capability
16 kHz super wide-band audio increases clarity and intelligibility 2X the directivity and 2X the room coverage over market leading phones-->
VoIP audio conference phone and integration with Enterprise-class SIP and H.323 IP PBX's
Use stand alone or with LifeSize video systems
Innovative circular microphone array with 16 always-on microphones and beam forming for maximum pickup

Conferencing

2007-06-24T08:15:00.000Z

Conferencing

Audio vs. Video Conferencing

by Jason Payne
Not only can be searching around for conferencing services be time-consuming, they can take you away premier purpose you had in mind which is to find a conferencing provider that will work for your company. In order to find a service provider that fits you best, you must first begin by determining what type of conferencing works best for you.

What you think about audio conferencing verse video, this simple answer that may come to mind is, "Video is the same as audio, the only difference is I can see the people." Well, yes and no. Let's say that your business meetings usually involve a lot of roundtable discussion, or group involvement. If your meetings flow in such a way that your idea think tanks merge together to produce the outcome that you desire without the use of many visual aids or files that you may be passing around, you just might see that audio may work better for you.

Basic audio conference calling can involve nothing more than a simple telephone. Although there is audio equipment that ranges anywhere from $400-$2000 plus, it is up to your conferencing service provider to be able to network all of the equipment together. It is generally the easiest option because regardless of where any person is, in most cases they can join in on the conference with nothing more than a telephone. This is a both time and travel costs. If your meetings are well planned out, and you do need to share files, then you just send them via the Internet. So if you're having your monthly sales meeting, and everybody needs to see the facts and figures for the previous three years, plan a meeting out ahead of time and make sure everybody has the file. As far as costs are concerned, audio conferencing offers most businesses all of their conferencing needs.

However, with videoconferencing, you are able to do a little bit more. As the old adage goes, you get what you pay for. Being able to see other members of the meeting, as well as the presenters certainly brighten things up as if you were in the same room. File sharing is also much easier through videoconferencing, but of course that is independent of the setup that you choose to go with. So is videoconferencing the same is audio except that you can see the participants? No. Because with a video conferencing there is also file sharing, and other services that your service provider will be able to tell you about. Of course, there's also the factor of cost.

Videoconferencing is going to cost you more. There is also the question of ease, are some of the people who are joining the conference very mobile and need to be up to join in by telephone? Make note that you can still have videoconferencing merged with audio conferencing. In other words people who are available to use the video equipment can do so, while the other members can call in from a phone. Your operator should be able to assist you in the service that you choose.

Jason is the owner of Corporate Conference Calling, the website that makes conferencing easy. Copyright, 2006
Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com

Video Conferencing

2007-06-23T08:37:00.000Z

Video Conferencing

Video Conferencing - Usage Fueled by Rising Gas Prices

by Harold German
The first noticeable surge in usage was due to concerns over terrorism. The second was due to concerns over diseases such as SARS. The latest appears to be tied directly to the rising costs of gasoline. For the third time in this young century, organizations from various sectors, including education, government, legal and manufacturing, are making the move to video conferencing in droves. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, gasoline is consumed at an alarming rate of 65 billion gallons each year in the United States, and that number is projected to increase by 2.6 percent each year. But with the price for gas soaring, more companies are looking for a more economical way to get from point A to point B for their business meetings. Yet again, video conferencing has become the solution of choice, and as a result, profits are once again soaring at IVCi, a Hauppauge, NY-based conferencing technologies provider.
There are many good reasons why organizations of all sizes are turning to service providers like IVCi for video conferencing solutions. Make that many “green” reasons. Video conferencing is an environmentally-friendly technology with a wide range of benefits for employers, individual employees and the community at large. The employer saves money every year on the organization’s travel costs. By bypassing work-related travel, employees can be less stressed and much more productive throughout the year, and the environment is spared from having tons of pollutants released into the air. As companies become more environmentally conscious, they understand that there is a measurable return on their investment by developing an effective video conferencing program.

The Numbers
Using data compiled by factoring in results from the latest surge, research houses such as In-Stat and Wainhouse have come up with some fascinating projections:
According to In-Stat/MDT……

The number of remote workers in the United States will reach 51 million by 2008.By 2010 more than 70% of work will take place at a different time/different place or same time/different place.82% of workers collaborate with people in other locations. According to Wainhouse Research……
More than 40 percent of people in the U.S. workforce are taking fewer trips.More than 70 percent are interested in alternatives to travel.63 percent rate access to collaboration technology (such as voice, web and video conferencing) as very important, as opposed to 44 percent prior to Sept. 11, 2001. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council……

Sales of motorcycles increased by 8.5 percent in the first three months of this year, compared to the same period last year.
That’s right; more people are buying motorcycles as a way to save on gas! The saying is, “America loves its cars,” but when gas prices climb out of control, Americans are not shy about looking at other alternatives. After all, love is a two-way street. The soaring prices for gasoline have even made some companies employ some rather unorthodox technologies. A well-known shipping company has recently implemented a technology that prints out routes for its truck deliveries featuring only right turns. This way the trucks are not left idling, and wasting gas, while waiting for left-turn signals. If companies are willing to go to those extremes, it’s easy to understand why video conferencing is becoming a popular solution.

The thinking is, if you can have a face-to-face meeting with a business partner from the comfort of your office or conference room, why lose hours on the road and spend on gas? Apparently, sitting in a traffic jam is losing its appeal. So is emitting tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. Therefore, video conferencing is an easy and very justifiable way for companies to become more environmentally-friendly.

The fact is that many businesses are becoming more proactive about creating efficiencies in different parts of their organization. Many have found that they can actually improve the way they collaborate internally, as well as with partners and customers, while eliminating costs and productivity losses associated with road and air transportation. Since many organizations have branch, partner and customer offices located throughout the country, they sometimes spend tens, even hundreds, of thousands of dollars each year in business travel costs. The considerable improvements to the clarity and reliability of video conference technology, as well as its lower cost of entry, has placed it atop of the list of solutions that are helping companies survive the Great Gas Gouge.

The Next Surge
This latest surge in video conferencing usage teaches us an important lesson: never underestimate human ingenuity and our ability to rebound from difficult conditions. The fact is that, despite the trials of the last few years, organizations have learned to become more efficient and productive. They’ve emerged smarter than ever before. However, smart companies don’t wait for tragedies or difficult economic/environmental factors to call them into action. As it appears, the next surge may ultimately be due to common sense.

For many years, Harold German has been recognized as a knowledgeable source for information on corporate branding methodologies. A director at IVCi, LLC, whose divisions include IVCi Audio Visual and IVCi Home. Mr. German is a renowned author and contributor, with appearances in noted international publications such as The Economist, and on news stations such as CNN. Mr. German covers IP networks and the future of conferencing technologies.
Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com

Video Conferencing Systems

2007-06-22T03:48:00.000Z

Video Conferencing Systems

Life Size Video Communications

High Definition Video Communications
LifeSize® Room™ is the high definition video communications system that combines exceptional quality and user simplicity to make remote communications a productive, true-to-life experience. The fully integrated system connects to most displays in any size conference room and provides crystal clear video clarity and high fidelity audio for productive conferencing. LifeSize Room includes embedded 4-way HD multipoint capabilities to connect several participants.

LifeSize Room enables executives, managers, project teams, educators and anyone with dispersed colleagues and operations to collaborate more clearly and effectively.

var roomArr = new Array();
roomArr[0] = new Array("Camera","High definition camera and wide angle zoom lens with a 70 degree field of view designed by LifeSize","camera_angle.jpg","Video Conferencing Camera");
roomArr[1] = new Array("Codec","High definition codec provides 10X existing video resolution at 1280 x 720 pixels and better quality at every bandwidth","codec_angle.jpg","Video Conference Equipment");
roomArr[2] = new Array("Speakerphone","High definition audio conferencing, fully integrated with LifeSize Room for super wide-band 16 kHz audio using 16 microphones","speakerphone_top.jpg","Video Conferencing Camera");
roomArr[3] = new Array("Wireless Remote","Wireless remote control with context-sensitive buttons for absolute simplicity","remote_front.jpg","Video Conference Equipment");

Camera
High definition camera and wide angle zoom lens with a 70 degree field of view designed by LifeSize
Better Quality at Any BandwidthBy delivering nearly ten times the quality of existing videoconferencing systems (limited to 352 x 288 pixels), users will experience a completely new paradigm in face-to-face video communications. High definition (1280 x 720 pixels at 30 frames per second) video resolution will make participants appear true-to-size. And with advanced processing capabilities, LifeSize Room provides better video at any bandwidth including high definition resolution at 1Mbps, DVD quality at 512Kbps and Cable TV quality at 384Kbps.

High Definition Conference PhoneHear and understand participants in super wide-band up to 16 kHz audio with superior room coverage over existing systems. Use LifeSize® Phone™ with LifeSize Room or simply as a very powerful stand-alone conference phone.

Share MultimediaSharing product design concepts, new packaging or multimedia clips in high definition will be just like you were literally in the same room. Show intricate details or invite comments on a new creative idea and be sure that you see and hear every response in real-time.

SimplicityFrom the thoughtfully designed user interface with context sensitive on-screen controls to the ability to dial video calls from the integrated speakerphone, LifeSize Room redefines simplicity.

Standards-basedLifeSize Room is based on the latest H.264 standard and provides H.263 support for interoperability with all standards-based video communications systems.

System ComponentsThe complete system includes a high definition codec, high definition camera, high definition audio conference phone and wireless remote control. LifeSize Room is fully integrated for instant plug-and-play use with any display or monitor.

The ResultsSee and hear colleagues clearly to improve productivity and make better decisions. With simple-to-use, high definition video communications, seeing truly is believing.
-->
The Advantages are Clear
High definition video communications (1280 x 720 resolution, 30 frames per second)
Support for video bandwidth from 128Kbps up to 5 Mbps
Single or dual monitor display
Single or dual high definition quality PTZ camera
Integrated super wide-band speakerphone to hear everyone in the room
Standards-based support for H.264, H.263 and H.239
Embedded 4-way multipoint with continuous presence
Simple user interface
Dual-stream support for sharing PC content and multimedia content
Complete management with LifeSize® Control™ software including Microsoft® Outlook® scheduling
IP to ISDN connectivity with LifeSize® Networker™ enhanced gateway
*IP and video configurations: 100 Hz up to 16 kHz; PSTN narrowband configurations 200 Hz to 3.4 kHz
Experience the difference: Schedule a demo

Distance Learning

2007-06-21T06:33:00.000Z

Distance Learning

MegaMeeting.com Video Conferencing Allows More Students to Access College Without Attending
MegaMeeting.com6/14/2007 12:40:10 PM
LOS ANGELES, CA, June 14th, 2007 – In the “olden” days, in order to attend college, you had to physically go to a campus and take courses. Wellington College is using MegaMeeting.com’s browser based video and web conferencing software to dramatically change the way students access college and college courses.
According to Randy Ellingson, President of Wellington College, “we have MegaMeeting setup in our classroom. Students away from college can participate as if in person”. Ellingson goes on to say that he is hopeful that by using web and video conferencing services, Wellington will be able extend the College’s reach and allow more people to attend its courses.
In addition to allowing students to "virtually" attend classes, Wellington currently uses MegaMeeting to perform seminars, conduct internal meetings and train employees.
Some of the benefits Wellington receives from MegaMeeting’s web and video conferencing software, include saving money and of course giving the College access to more students that can’t physically attend the College.
The specific features of MegaMeeting that Wellington implements most often are the video conferencing capabilities that allow meeting attendees to see each other, the built-in audio (VoIP), PowerPoint presentations and the Screen Sharing feature that allows a host in a MegaMeeting to present and share his or her computer screen with all attendees in the meeting.
About MegaMeeting.com (http://www.MegaMeeting.com)
MegaMeeting.com is a leading provider of 100% browser based video & web conferencing solutions, complete with real time audio and video capabilities. Being browser based and working on all major operating systems – Windows, Mac & Linux; MegaMeeting.com provides universal access without the need to download, install or configure software. MegaMeeting.com web conferencing products and services include powerful collaboration tools that accommodate robust video & web conferences, including advanced features such as desktop/application sharing, i.e. Word and Excel documents and PowerPoint presentations without the need to upload any files. MegaMeeting is ideal for multi-location web based meetings, virtual classrooms, employee trainings, product demonstrations, company orientation, customer support, product launches and much more.
For more information please visit www.megameeting.com or call (818) 783-4311.

Business Meetings

2007-06-20T06:19:00.000Z

Business Meetings

Can video conferencing up your productivity and reduce costs?

by Larry Karagheusian, Executive Vice President, GBH Communications
Tuesday 19 June 2007

Video conferencing.
If you haven't heard the words lately, just wait. Video conferencing is becoming the most in-demand application of the new information age. This upsurge is prompted by three factors:
Globalisation and the need for "virtual" workgroups made up of experts from many different locations require a technology that allows people to meet face-to-face with high productivity on a moment's notice. Only video conferencing meets this demand.
Changes in video conferencing technology, particularly high definition and what's being called video presence, are giving video conferences the same sense of connection and collaboration as a live meeting. In fact, they're better than live, because video conferencing allows data sharing that is not possible in live meetings, plus the recording of video conferences provides necessary records for security and regulatory requirements. In addition, new video conferencing technology has excellent security plus advanced management and scheduling capabilities. Also, the cost of video conferencing end points has decreased ten fold since 1998. Travel costs have escalated.
The IP (Internet Protocol) revolution has lead to "IP everywhere" making the transmission of video conferences far less expensive, much easier to use, more reliable and significantly more scalable to meet a company's growing requirements.
The bottom line is that every company, big or small, must evaluate video conferencing as a possible application. Here's a checklist to help determine if video conferencing is right for your company.
1. Would it enhance your productivity if workers at separate locations could meet as workgroups?
Enhanced productivity and reduced time-to-market are the main reasons companies give for installing video conferencing. Being able to meet spontaneously face-to-face not only allows people at different locations to get more done faster, it also improves camaraderie, communication and employee morale.
2. Would you benefit from faster decisions?
Arriving at quick decisions based only on audio or e-mail communications is often difficult. Many people don't communicate well verbally or in writing. They always feel more comfortable seeing each other face-to-face – judging expressions, body language and millions of tiny non-verbal cues. The new video conferencing technology has such excellent definition, picture and sound quality, plus data-sharing capability that people feel like they've gotten the whole story.
3. Does your whole company rely on the skill and contribution of individual experts at disparate locations?
Rather than trying to replicate the expertise of certain personnel at every company location, video conferencing allows those experts to be leveraged optimally. Meeting face-to-face on an as-needed basis lets those experts share their knowledge in an enriched communications environment and enhances the trust and enthusiasm of those calling on that expertise.
4.Would you like to communicate with the whole company more often?
Branch and satellite offices can easily feel disconnected from headquarters and upper management due to lack of communications. Video conferencing allows whole companies to come together often, even spontaneously, to solve problems, share successes and celebrate, increasing company identity.
5. Could your hiring process use some streamlining?
If your company hires people from multiple locations, video conferencing can simplify the interview process. More and more companies use video conferencing right through the final interview, allowing top candidates to be processed and hired more quickly — as well as impressing the candidate with the company's leading-edge technology.
6. Could you attract or keep better employees if you could reduce their time away from home?
While reducing travel costs is one of the first things a company thinks of when considering video conferencing (and it is a significant factor), the real cost of travel is better measured in lost productivity from employees out of their offices and the high cost in employee morale from personnel spending days and weeks away from their homes and families. Video conferencing can significantly reduce time away for even the most travel-intensive personnel.
7. Do your customers or suppliers have video conferencing?
New video conferencing software is based on standards allowing easy integration with other audio visual systems as well as scheduling protocols. Integrating video conferencing with customers and suppliers can not only improve communications, but also enhance a sense of shared values, experiences and mutual dependence that are good for business.
8. Do you have compliance and training requirements?
If you're in a field with stringent compliance requirements, then video conferencing can help encode data necessary for the FDA, Sarbanes-Oxley and others. Additionally, important training materials can be made available to personnel both live through video conferencing and later through video-on-demand.
9. Do you want to reduce travel costs?
Companies with big travel budgets can often justify the purchase of video conferencing systems based on travel cost savings alone. While productivity costs are the main impact of travel on companies, eliminating a big percentage of airfare, hotels and per diem expenses can directly impact the bottom line.
10. Do you want to be aligned with the next big step in communications technology?
The growth of video conferencing is explosive, making the technology more and more essential in inter-business as well as intra-business communications. Companies have invested huge sums in computer and networking technology and now are focused on getting even better returns from that huge outlay with applications that can bring real business benefits. Video conferencing is the next "killer app."
While small businesses with only one location may not yet be able to justify an investment in video conferencing unless customer demands require it, most other companies should at least consider the benefits to their bottom line. Even if your firm has evaluated video conferencing in the past, the enormous changes in the technology in just the last year more than justify reconsidering. Companies around the world are quickly realising that video conferencing is not just a less expensive communication method, it is actually a better one -- a method destined to change the face of business in the years to come.
About the Author
Larry Karagheusian serves as executive vice president for GBH Communications. He has over 30 years of experience in a broad range of high technology solutions from companies such as Intel, Texas Instruments and WaveThree Software. He's served in the video conferencing industry for the past 13 years. Karagheusian holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University, Boston, Mass.
Content provided by TechTarget

Web Conferencing Services

2007-06-19T06:27:00.000Z

Web Conferencing Services
Audio Video Web Conference The Internet Has Been Crying Out For
iPROConference Audio Video Communications(WebWire) 6/19/2007 12:04:18 AM
Related Topics
• Internet Technology
World Wide -- Exploding demand for "audio video conference" desktop services is spilling over to the business customer support counters, where customers are provided interactive live customer service or product support without the need for long distance telephone calls and providing opportunities beyond email or other internet live text chat facilities.
Audio video conference technologies are now being deployed by the corporate companies right down to the small home business owner these days, all for less than the cost than a cup a coffee per day said iPROConference.com managing director Anthony Hosking.
Since 2004, iPROConference has specialized in providing web meetings for large global audiences. The PC Desktop Video Conferencing solution, offers all the interactivity and intimacy of web conferencing with the reach and value of webcasting, is designed for use in marketing and sales, training, human resources and member communications.
It is used by hundreds of companies, associations, non-profits, and government agencies for effective communication. With hosted services and help desk support the product is deployed as a reservation-less on demand solution – all users require is an internet connection plus a webcam and headset.
The new Windows Vista™ version features built in audio video voip technology, optimized for interactive use, is easy to use, engaging, and very importantly secured with 128bit each way encryption.
Hosking added “The simplicity, ease of use and interactive elements are key where the interface becomes a compliment to the presentation content and helps keep the audience engaged and focused on the message. Conferencing & collaboration with whiteboard, file share plus desktop application sharing tools essential for geographically dispersed meetings.
Feature Summary
Audio & video built in with file share, desk top application share, web browser whiteboard, record audio, password protection, multiple languages, multiple presentation modes, free software updates, audio video text chat 128 bit encryption, seating for hundreds, guest’s invited free, free help desk, free software updates and unlimited use.
Availability and Pricing
As a hosted solution, iPROConference requires initial once off one minute client download by users on Windows or Vista platforms. Once downloaded the product is usable immediately for any scheduled or ad-hoc video web meeting and guests attend for free.
Pricing is designed to fit customer’s needs with unlimited use for a flat $39.95 monthly rate with no contracts and no additional per event, per minute or per seat licence costs.
About iPROConference™
iPROConference (iproconference.com) provides web-based global audio video communication services. Since 2004, iPROConference has helped thousands of clients all over the world ranging from universities, businesses, home business and MLM enterprises.
Related Links
Home pagewww.iproconference.com

Contact Information
Anthony HoskingManaging DirectoriPROConference Audio Video Communications61756304079admin@iproconference.com

Marketing Small Business Online

2007-06-18T06:50:00.000Z

Marketing Small Business Online

With the technology and internet services improving all the time Marketing Small Business Online is sooooo much easier than it used to be. With live video streaming you can now speak to business associates up front and they can see whether or not they want to do business with you. The power of body language has turned business on the internet around.

Direct marketing means that you can target your market in ways that were never possible before. The internet has moved marketing forward to get you directly in touch with your target market.

Now Marketing Small Business Online is cost effective and you need no longer waste money on advertising where you are unsure of the results. Results can be charted, your message tweaked and results monitored until you are achieving the required profits for your business...

Google Video

2007-06-17T00:18:00.000Z

Google Video

Well off I went to check out Google Video and wow! There is this video there 'The Domino Experiment' well worth a look. My advice is to go and have a look at it. Sure beats watching TV commercials!

Google Video is made up of a group of videos that have been put forward by people and there is a great range of different videos to view. Go and have a look. The videos are rated and they have featured videos as well. If nothing else, it certainly is interesting to take a look.

I like 'The Domino Experiment'...

So just how do you get geysers to go over 20 feet high? How do you get them to go off at an angle? How do ninjas feel about Dance Dance Revolution? Here are just a few of our secrets...

The Cartridge The first big step is making a cartridge of Mentos. Holding a Mento with a pair of pliers, you can drill a small hole through the center. Do not drill a hole through...

To find out more go to www.eepybird.com

Thanks eepybird...