Video+and+Tele-Conferencing

= Video and Teleconferencing = Teleconferencing allows people in different locations to talk to each other as a group. This is also known as an Audio-conference or simply a 'Conference Call' It works by each person 'logging on' to the conference call. When you switch on your conference call device and enter your user ID number, an automatic voice saying something like "Mr Jones has joined the conference" is broadcast. Everyone says hello and carries on with the meeting. Video conferencing is similar to teleconferencing except that people in the meeting can now see one another because video cameras are used to send live images over telephone lines. = Advantages of video conferencing = - There is no need to spend time and money traveling to meetings - You can have a 'meeting' with people from many different offices /countries without any of them having to travel - You can see people as well as hear them. This means you can see their body language which you can't do with a telephone call. - You can all view a document on the screen at the same time. People can work together and add their ideas. The document can be emailed to all of the people at the meeting later on. - Ideas and knowledge can be communicated between all those at the meeting very quickly and responses gathered. Video conferencing is good for 'brainstorming'. = Disadvantages of video conferencing  = - Everyone who is going to 'attend' the meeting needs access to suitable hardware and software. This can be expensive and can take a while to set up. - A very reliable, fast data link is needed. Many companies hire a connection specifically to allow video conferences to take place - Even with a fast connection, there might be a slight delay between responses. - If the hardware breaks down for any of the participants, they cannot 'attend' the meeting - People could be in different time zones around the world. This might mean that some people have to stay up through the night in order to 'attend' the meeting. - The video camera might not be able to see all parts of the room at the same time. Some people might not be easy to 'see' at the meeting. - There is no substitute for a face-to-face meeting. = Bulletin Board = A Bulletin Board is an area online that allows you to view and post messages. It is also called a Forum or Message Board or Discussion Board. Usually anyone can view the messages, but if you want to 'post' a message then you will need to sign in so you have a name on the Forum. The starting message has a topic title. You can see a message above with the topic "edexcel 1185 GCSE". When people reply to the message, a thread begins to form. This is a string of related messages. See a typical message thread below. = = = Instant Messaging  = This is mostly a text based service, where one person types a message and the other person immediately sees it pop up in their IM (Instant Message) window. Groups can also be set up so that a number of people can chat to each other whilst online. Each person must have an 'Instant Messaging' (IM) client open on their computer. The way it works is very similar to email, because both IM and Email client software need to connect to a server in order to work. The difference between email and Instant Messaging is that the IM window shows the message almost as soon as it is typed - no downloads are required. This kind of service is used by business people to help keep in touch whilst on the move. Imagine a work colleague is at the airport waiting for a plane connection, they can use Instant Messaging to 'talk' to colleagues in the office - it is a good way to keep on working (and avoid the sheer boredom of waiting for a plane!) despite being away from the office. It is also used at home. For example, you are online doing your usual stuff on the Internet, but you have an IM window open because friends and family are also online. You chat whilst each of you are online. Another common use of IM is with online gaming. Perhaps twenty of you have gathered together in the online game and now you are arranging what needs to happen next. Each person fires up their IM client and joins the group to chat about tactics and so on.