Video conferencing

Video conferencing is a type of communication technology that lets you chat to people around the world as if they were in the same room. With a computer, webcam, broadband and microphone they can here, see everything that you are saying and doing which makes things easier to sort out within a company.

On the social side you can keep in touch with many people who live around the world. Maybe someone had moved to a different country and it's and easy way to keep in touch. But video confereencing is mainly used in businesses.

Some hardware that is required for video conferecing is:

• Television
• Video Camera
• Broadband
• Computer
• Microphone (Everyone)
• Interenet
• Speakers

Video Conferecing is simple to use, you need the hardware I have listed above first.

• You will need to position the camera in the room where everyone can be seen. 
• What you will need to do next is set up your software needed such as WebEx, Microsoft Live and Mega Meeting. If you do not have any of these you can install a free program. 
• Once you decide on software and get it loaded, you will need to input some information for the program to run. Most software like this is wizard-based, meaning you will just have to input information into the spaces provided.
• Next you will need to Determine conference type. There are four types of video conferences to choose from:

Point to Point

This is a one-on-one video conference.

Group Conference

This is basically the same as setting up a point to point but with a group of people.

Cybercast

This is a group conference where one person shows a video and presents simultaneously.

Multicast

Mutlicasts are used when people do not want to go through a server. Only some software supports a multicast.

The Social Impacts of Video Conferencing!

Some of the bad things about video conferencing are...

• The lack of eye contact is a problem. What I mean by this is the fact you and the other person are looking at the computer screen instead of the webcam itself. This could be mis-leading information as you might think that they are irgnoring you.
• Another problem would be people being self-conscious about being on camera, especially new users and older generations!
• You also need a internet connection to view others using video conferencing
• Good for communicating with others around the world

Some good things about video conferencing are...

• Saves travelling to the location of the other person so you can sit in the comfort of your own home and talking to the other person. It is also much cheaper than travelling!
• Its better for enviroment as you dont travel
• The time change around the world might be a problem, say might have to get up at 5 in the morning  to have the meeting where as with the other person might be midday so they won't be fussed
• Although you can see them, they still might not like the idea of your idea or something and it is easier to see what the feel in person.