The Present

Instant Messaging is Here to Stay

January 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Programs that enable people to chat with friends have been popular for much of the history of the Internet. In fact, instant messaging pre-dates the Internet itself. However, these programs didn’t become well known until the 1990s. Some of the earliest internet services that were available to home users like Prodigy, Compuserve, and America Online had easy-to-access chat programs available either for download or on the web servers themselves. These early chat programs were very basic, set up in several different chat rooms that users could visit. The main drawback of chat rooms is the fact that you have to be in the same chat room as the person you wish to chat with.

These chat rooms lead to the creation of instant messaging. Instant messaging programs blended the instant chatting aspect of the chat room with the convenience of e-mail. The first instant messenger that really became well known among the general population was the America Online (AOL) Instant Messenger. In the mid 1990s, it became the must-have computer application. It did not take long for others to spring up, opening the door for more users to participate. The three that broke free from the pack to become the most popular were ICQ, Yahoo Messenger, and MSN messenger (now known as Windows Live Messenger.)

These were commonly used among computer users throughout the 2000s. As cell phones and, later, smart phones became more common, texting took over some of the instant messaging market, but did not kill it. In the last few years, Facebook chat has become a major player. Now, there are literally dozens of instant messaging programs. Many of them are simply shell programs that allow users to access their accounts from AIM, Yahoo, ICQ, MSN, and Facebook on the computer and from their mobile devices. Instant messaging is here to stay, and from the looks of things, it will adapt to the current needs of computer users.

Filed Under: General, Internet Tagged With: Instant messaging, MSN, Yahoo Messenger

What is Web Conferencing?

January 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

You don’t have to dress in your best suit or rush off to the airport for your next work conference. No travel expenses or even large chunks of time missed from work. This is the very reason businesses and corporations prefer web conferencing over sending employees across the country for classes or training.

Now the employee can participate in conferences, training or presentations from the comfort of his or her own office. Less hassle, less expense, less time. Web conferencing definitely makes life easier not only for the business or firm, but for the employees.

A web conference is where individuals in various locations meet together in a conference through use of the Internet. This is done by downloading an application, or better yet, through a web-based application. Often participants receive an invitation via email with an embedded link which brings them to the site of the live or archived conference. This convenient method allows various employees working in different offices to attend the same meeting and receive the same information all at once.

One type of popular web conferencing is called a webinar. This refers to a web conference that serves as a presentation, wherein a presenter shares information with the audience. In this scenario, usually one or more individuals in the same location monopolize the spotlight, like a professor in a classroom lecture. Participants can voice their opinions through polling opportunities or question and answer sessions. Participation is somewhat limited though, in that persons are not seen and heard like an actual live presentation.

There are other features of web conferencing, such as electronic meeting systems, which allow for more structured discussions. With technology now, there is also the option of adding in anonymous participants. This means some participants are involved in the meeting without others knowing. This is useful for supervisors or executives reviewing or evaluating work. With the ability to web conference, businesses can perform their meetings much more efficiently.

Filed Under: Communications, Internet, Visual Tagged With: Business, Videoconferencing, Web conferencing

Web-Based Conferences can now be Held in Conjunction with Telephone Conferences

January 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Technology has come so far that it is now possible to hold “face-to-face” conferences. It’s just another example of what was once considered a figment of some science fiction writer’s imagination coming true.

Digital media has made it possible to expand communications beyond the traditional telephone conference. Now, thanks to different types of software and hardware, it’s possible to hold both telephone conferences and live web-based conferences at the same time.

Having the capability of holding a video conference, whether alone or in conjunction with a telephone conference, means that the participants can actually see diagrams, charts, notes, and other written material rather than having to deal with leafing through page after page of the same thing. This allows them to concentrate more fully on what is being talked about rather than finding the page or content to which the speaker is referring.

You are probably already aware of the other types of communications that you can accomplish over your computer. These include instant message chat and email, of course. And, you may have already had an inkling that video communication is possible, especially if you’ve used one of the many programs that allows you to make a phone call and actually see the person to whom you are talking. Skype is a perfect example of this technology. The same kind of technology has now been expanded to include joint telephone/web-based conferences.

There are several programs available for implementing this function. Your computer system may already have the hardware necessary for engaging in this kind of communication (sound cards, video capability, and other things), so now it’s just a matter of choosing the software that best suits your needs.

The software comes in different price ranges, so you should have no trouble finding one that fits your budget. Just like you would with any other purchase, shop around for the bes

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Skype, Sound card, Web application

Find a Good Home for old Computers

January 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

New Year, new notebook? For millions of consumers that might be the case. Computing power usually doubles every two years, which means that a laptop or desktop purchased five or six years ago might seem as chic and necessary as a fax machine. Purchasing a new computer might not mean getting a traditional laptop since tablets such as the iPad seem to be the hot trend on the consumer market. As the purchase of the new computer one of the mot important questions that remains is what to do with the old one.

Tossing the old computer in the garbage might seem like the most efficient manner to free up space, but it is also the worst option. If personal data has not been properly removed, the hard drive could be used to steal the previous owner’s identity. Computers, like most electronic devices, contain hazardous materials including mercury and cadmium. If tossed into a landfill these materials seep out and poison water supplies. Recycling is a superior option. The National Recycling Coalition’s Electronics Recycling Initiative provides a list of computer refurbishes and recyclers. But why destroy a device if it still works?

There are plenty of people who cannot afford a laptop. A donation to a charitable organization can provide someone in need with the means to find a new job or have a laptop for school. The donation provides the benefit of a tax deduction. Get an idea of the value of the computer by pricing it on eBay or Craigslist for tax records and then pick a charity that needs old computers. There are probably dozens of local organizations that would put the computer to use. And there are lists available online of charities seeking old computers. Computers should be treated like pets. Just because a new one has been brought into a home, it does not mean that the old one should be forgotten.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Craigslist, eBay, Laptop

Teaching Videoconferencing

January 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Videoconferencing has become an invaluable business tool. It can help a company’s budget by eliminating a lot of the expenses of business travel. Not only are companies not purchasing airline tickets and hotel stays, but their personnel are not wasting time traveling from point A to point B for conferences and meetings. By using videoconferencing technology, business can hold meetings with participants from anywhere around the world. However, these participants should have the training to use this videoconferencing technology effectively. Here are some tips to help you teach your employees and associates the best ways to utilize videoconferencing.

First, you should learn the system completely — inside and out. Also, make sure that the people you are training will have all the information about the system as well. Have your people know and understand how to play different types of media on their computers and ensure that they have a software capable of viewing multimedia. There are many free source programs available such as VLC Downloads, Media Player, KM Player and the all-in one BS Player. Any one of these will have the advanced capabilities to view and play multimedia files which can be useful in video conferencing and remote training. Make them aware of any problems that may arise with the system and provide the solutions. Keep this document current and make changes whenever someone asks a question that is not covered.

Make sure you understand how to get quick and responsive action from your IT or technical support department if there are problems with the system you cannot address. Make sure the training space is suitable in both size and atmosphere. It should be relatively quiet and your trainees should not be packed in. Be sure that all trainees can see the equipment.
Make sure that there is enough equipment for the class. If you are teaching one-on-one conferencing, a simple computer equipped with speakers and web cam will suffice; however if you are teaching to a larger meeting-sized group, make sure your equipment is satisfactory for the larger group. Make sure you demonstrate the equipment thoroughly. Don’t gloss over information you may think is unnecessary. Teach the students how to troubleshoot. Give them the tools and solutions to make their videoconferencing successful.

Filed Under: Communications, Visual Tagged With: Media Player, Shock collar, Videoconferencing

Mulitple IM Accounts, One Program

January 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you find yourself switching between instant messaging (IM) programs, the time has come to reassess your situation. Regardless of whether you use one, two, or five IM accounts, you should not need to have more than one program for communicating via IM. The great thing about technology in this situation is that one piece of software can bring all accounts together, saving you stress and confusion.

Instant messaging is the online equivalent of texting on cell phones, where users who are logged into an IM account (AIM, Yahoo, MSN, etc.) can type to each other in real time. One of the biggest problems is the wide variety of IM accounts, which can cause some headaches if you have to switch programs. However, there is a solution for programs that can handle several accounts at once.

If you have several IM accounts you should seriously consider a program that can manage all of them. It will allow you to log-in to all of your IM accounts. Plus, a number of these programs have additional benefits. For instance, some allow you to monitor your e-mail, Twitter, Facebook, and other accounts from social media to niche websites where you log-in.

When you look at potential downloads for IM managers, you will want to first make sure that the client is compatible with the various IM accounts that you want to control, along with e-mail and other aspects (such as social media). One of the biggest negatives with this type of software is that it can use a lot of memory, so you should be careful here. Of course, privacy options and other features should be investigated and compared as well.

This piece of software can make your Internet IM life much easier. Take a look at downloads that are available for you to try; surely you’ll find something worthwhile.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Facebook, Instant messaging, Twitter

The Dangers of Instant Messaging

December 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Technology is advancing so quickly that parents can find it difficult to stay abreast of the newest and latest gadgets that their children are using. Protection of children is paramount, but with so many new technologies it can be difficult. Instant messaging has been around for almost as long as the Internet, but it is posing new dangers to children who may not be aware of the potential harm.

Instant messaging on computers is a medium through which children can safely socialize, but it can quickly spiral out of control if not properly monitored by the parents. The dangers of chat rooms have long been understood, but with social media platforms such as FaceBook displaying to the world your child’s instant chat contact information, it may not be long before you child is chatting with strangers.

It is human nature to believe in the best of everybody but the reality is that many predators lurk behind seemingly innocuous instant messaging situations. Before long your child may be inadvertently giving out personal details such as their name, age, address and more. They may even be sexually solicited or exposed to inappropriate material.

The best way to protect children is to educate them. Tell them to beware of instant messages from unfamiliar names, and teach them how to block unwanted names. Teach them how to create log-ins and screen names that do not reveal any personal information and stress that such information should not ever be revealed to anybody via an instant message. Under no circumstances should children ever fill in a public profile as this is public information.

Instant messaging can be fun and a way to keep in touch with distant friends and relatives, but it can also be dangerous to children who are unschooled in the dangers or how to safely partake in instant messaging. A few minutes of discussion is all it will take to make your child’s instant messaging a safer environment.

Filed Under: General, Internet Tagged With: Chat room, Facebook, Instant messaging

Capturing Your Customer’s Email Addresses Will Personalize Relationships

December 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

If you’re a new business just getting up and running, you’re probably looking for ways to distinguish yourself from the competition. An important first step is establishing a personal relationship and one way to accomplish that is to keep in contact through email communication.

No one likes to see spam email and most of us junk the items before we ever really look at the content. Keeping your customers informed of potential sales, reductions in prices, and just sending a personal note every now and then goes a long way towards establishing a line of communication.

Sales – Who doesn’t like to receive their merchandise at a discounted price? If you have a customer that purchases garage door openers, finding out they can purchase in bulk to save money is a big step in reducing monthly costs. A quick email explaining new technologies or better services will leave your customer feeling comfortable and confident that you’re the right company for their business.

Mass email – If you’ve got important information to share with your customers, sending an email to all of them at once conveys your message in a timely manner.

Opening a line of communication with your customer is key to the retention of future business. Some people like the confidence of their sales representative stopping by for a visit. Others like the ease of the email because they can open it when they have time and you’re never infringing on their personal space of interrupting something important.

Getting new business is hard, but collecting that email address on the first visit is crucial. You can always look up the phone number or address of the business you’re investigating, but the email address of the person that matters is priceless. If you’ve made it past the gatekeeper and gotten face-to-face with the decision maker, ask them how they would like to be contacted and proceed from there.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Business, E-mail spam, Email address

Email: A Blessing and a Curse?

December 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment

One of the biggest changes since the invention of computers and the internet is the way we communicate. Communication has truly become easier than ever before. At the touch of a few buttons, you can compose an email and send it to virtually anyone in the world and they will receive it almost instantaneously. What does this mean for our civilization? The benefits of being able to communicate so easily and freely with people all over the world are too numerous to count. But a few of those benefits include the following.

First, you can write to people many times a day. Because of email, you don’t have to just send one letter, waiting for days or weeks until it finds your loved one, friend, or colleague, and then wait days or weeks for a reply. This means you can have long conversations that you might not have had otherwise. You can also include copious amounts of information, and you can do it all within a matter of minutes.

The downside of electronic communication is that sometimes it gets to feel very disposable. Many people save emails in their inboxes on the computer, but not many people print them out and save them in a box at home for others to read and enjoy. This means that though in the moment it is extremely satisfying to enjoy the benefits of easy communication, we may not have those same moments at a later date. Generations to come probably won’t have love letters to cherish and reread. We may not even have letters between famous thinkers or inventors to reread and analyze, providing us insight into their thought processes.

The benefits of email are truly great: we get to send and receive correspondence from many different people in many different places at all times of the day or night. The downside is that we may not always keep them.

Filed Under: Internet Tagged With: Communication, E-mail, Invention

The E-Library

December 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Public libraries in Columbus, Ohio, have accomplished another digital milestone for books this year, proving even more that the electronic age of publishing won’t be stopped and must be embraced. While print books will always be around (like vinyl, although the honest truth is print books will circulate still longer than that), e-books and e-readers will eventually take over the industry. You’re seeing it in schools and bookstores.

But the last place to be seduced by the digital side is the library. But you had to have seen it coming.

Remember the days when library catalogs were simply those filing cabinets filled with cards that listed every single book in stock? Those were the days…. And then the Internet came along. Now the library catalog is a click away. Columbus, Ohio, has taken it one step further. Libraries in the city have taken on digital collections and are also lending readers as well as providing connection processes to link your very own e-reader to the library’s collection and have you download the book(s) you want to borrow. Oh my God, libraries have gone digital. Surprised?

The time was coming, people. E-reading is on the rise. And it’s a convenient way to read. Libraries in Columbus, Ohio, are only the beginning. Soon academic libraries will follow suit. You might see it soon—students will carry around borrowed iPads and Kindles to hold their textbooks, not to mention the ever-growing usage of the Internet to integrate teaching and reading on an even higher level.

No more lugging your books out of the library in a big bag. All you need is your e-reader—be it a Barnes & Noble nook, or Sony e-reader, or whatever. Simple, efficient, clean, easy, and the best part—it saves paper!

Could this article sound any more like a digital advocate? Only time will tell….

Filed Under: Internet Tagged With: E-book, IPad, Library