Virtual Meetings

One of the most compelling features of the Internet may well be the ability to communicate inexpensively in real time, via personal computers and mobile devices. With the Internet, you can see, hear, talk to and collaborate with people in different locations around the world, without the expense of travel.

Conferencing can take many forms, such as videoconferencing, audio conferencing, multimedia conferencing, screen-sharing, and to a lesser extent, what is referred to in Web parlance as chat. The cost of implementing these types of systems can run less than $50 USD per computer and is available for Windows, Macintosh, Linux and UNIX operating systems.

Let's say you want to assemble a geographically dispersed group of people for a brainstorming session. Conferencing programs, such as the Microsoft's NetMeeting, allow virtual workgroups to communicate via the Internet; participants see each others' faces in small windows on their screens and hear their voices on computer speakers. You can use video and audio simultaneously, just audio, or use the screen-sharing capability to collaborate on documents without either audio or video.

To videoconference, you'll need a digital video camera. Color webcams now sell for less than $50 USD. Some laptop computers already have built-in webcams.

Conferencing can be done one-to-one, one-to-many (called multicast), and many-to-many (called multipoint). Most conferencing software is built on open industry standards so that a dial-up connection is enough to get you in the game. However, a broadband connection gives far better results.

Videoconferencing via the Web has enormous potential for enhancing communications for small and mid-sized companies, as well as for distance learning. However, at the very minimum you will need a high-speed Internet connection for acceptable video quality.

You can make local, long-distance and international telephone calls via the Internet for the cost of a local connection. Audio conferencing allows you to communicate verbally, rather than typing messages. It works by digitizing your voice, then sending the digital data to its final destination over the Internet. While the audio quality may leave something to be desired--although this has now improved greatly--you can save big money on long distance phone bills.

To make Internet calls, you'll need a headset with earphones and a microphone, as well as the software, which comes in several varieties. To learn more, read our Internet telephony article.