Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
a fast modem or broadband, and voice-chat software compatible with the other participants'.
Most of the functionality of chat is available in instant messaging software.
Internet Phone and Videoconferencing Services
Internet phone service enables you to communicate with others around the world. This
service is relatively inexpensive and can make sense for international calls. With some services,
you can use the Internet to call someone who is using a standard phone. You can also keep
your phone number when you move to another location. According to one Internet phone
user who moved from Madison, Wisconsin, to California, “I was so happy about that. Noth-
ing changed for my customers. For all they knew I was still in Madison.” Cost is often a big
factor for those using Internet phones—a call can be as
low as 1 cent per minute for calls within the United States.
Low rates are also available for calling outside the United
States. In addition, voice mail and fax capabilities are
available. Some cable TV companies, for example, are of-
fering cable TV, phone service, and caller ID for under
$40 a month. Skype offers free and low-priced Internet
phone and video phone service from any Internet con-
nected computer.
Using voice-over-IP (VoIP) technology, as described in
Chapter 6, network managers can route phone calls and
fax transmissions over the same network they use for
data—which means no more separate phone bills. See
Figure 7.13. Gateways installed at both ends of the com-
munications link convert voice to IP packets and back.
With the advent of widespread, low-cost Internet tele-
phony services, traditional long-distance providers are
being pushed to either respond in kind or trim their own
long-distance rates. VoIP (pronounced voyp ) is growing
rapidly.
Although the technology for VoIP has existed for decades, the widespread use of VoIP is
just beginning. Today, many companies offer Web phone service using VoIP, including
Vonage, AT&T, Comcast, Verizon, AOL, Packet8, Callserve, Net2Phone, and WebPhone.
Even so, there are obstacles to using VoIP. Some service providers, for example, might have
trouble connecting their customers to emergency 911 service. In 2005, the Federal Com-
munications Commission (FCC) issued an order that Web phone services must notify their
customers of the potential problems with making emergency 911 calls.
Internet videoconferencing , which supports both voice and visual communications, is an-
other important Internet application. Microsoft's NetMeeting, a utility within Windows XP,
is an inexpensive and easy way for people to meet and communicate on the Web. Windows
Vista offers Windows Meeting Space to provide the same service. The Internet can also be
used to broadcast group meetings, such as sales seminars, using presentation software and
videoconferencing equipment. These Internet presentations are often called Webcasts or
Webinars. WebEx and GoToMeeting are two popular Web conferencing tools. The ideal
video product will support multipoint conferencing, in which users appear simultaneously
on multiple screens. Hewlett-Packard (HP) has produced such a system called Halo (see
Figure 7.14). When using Halo, it appears as though you are speaking with a number of
people across a table, though those people may actually be located around the world.
Figure 7.13
Wi-Fi Phone
The BlackBerry Curve 8320 smart-
phone, combined with T-Mobile's
HotSpot @ Home service, uses the
Internet for calls while at home and
the cell network while away.
(Source: Courtesy of Research In
Motion.)
Social Networks
Social networking Web sites provide Web-based tools for users to share information about
themselves with people on the Web and to find, meet, and converse with other members.
The most popular social networking sites are MySpace and Facebook. Both sites provide
members with a personal Web page and allow them to post photos and information about
themselves (see Figure 7.15). Social networking sites allow members to send messages to each
 
 
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