By: Ken Black

Evolution in telecommunications during the past two decades was enhanced with the increasing popularity of the Internet during the 1990s. Web Conferencing is just one of the different modalities enabling people to get in touch through the world wide web, whether for business, educational, or recreational affairs.

There are many advantages of web conferencing over other communication means, such as chat rooms, message boards or instant messaging. For example, Video Web Conferencing allows people to watch each other while working collaboratively. Even when most of the communication processes via Internet requires an individual to setup an account and log in, techniques and results are different.

Online communication is a real-time interaction where two or more individuals have a conversation across the Internet, either typing in or using advanced techniques such as VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol). Although some applications have integrated sounds, only those intended for web conferencing are based on voice over internet protocol.

This feature enables audio and web contact for a more realistic experience, reducing the costs that otherwise a regular phone company could charge for a similar service, and having a larger coverage area. The internet not only cuts off calling and broadcasting fares, but also has no frontiers.

For making communication easier, there are a number of kinds of videoconferencing and similar software expressly designed for operating under web conferencing systems. These types of software are commonly referred to as collaborative software and include a large number of programs such as calendar, notes management, scheduler, and an area for live interaction.

Many software programs are available online, providing individuals with further features and functionality. However, it is not always necessary that users look for the software, since the host of a conferencing system usually provides an interface to a shared environment where people are engaged in common tasks.

Several services provide their users with web interfaces to participate in live telecommunication, or the links to download desktop clients. Others are just platforms providing technology and support to individuals and companies who want to setup their own service or enable conferencing on an intranet.

As of 2006, there is no standard for this advanced technology, the fact that has created a significant market fragmentation. However, most of the actual technologies are compatible with the users software and computer equipment. However, more CPU memory is required than standard web based methods.

Choosing a Web Conferencing Company offers the opportunity today to test the service of different web conferencing providers, such as Genesys, Raindance, or Microsoft, just to name a few. Competing for excellence, most of these providers offer additional benefits to enrich your overall experience.

Actually, online conferencing is largely used for attending learning courses and seminars, often called Webminars, because they are conducted over the world wide web. Some people consider web seminars as the response to webcasts, the broadcasting of information in one direction, while web conferencing is
bi-directional, the feature that enables interactivity among the participants.

About the author: Ken Black is the owner of http://www.Online-Conferencing.org, a site with information about Web Conferencing.

• About Ken Black