Web Conferencing: The Cons

The Cons of Web Conferencing:


1. A major potential problem with Web Conferencing is the possibility of poor quality audio or video. If the internet connection is weak or there are too many people on it at once, the video and audio can get cloudy and begin to lag, causing a lot of frustration.

2. It does involve downloading software. To use a web conferencing program such as Skype, you have to download the program first. Some people are not comfortable downloading unknown programs to their computer.

3. In the professional world, if your internet connection is poor, a program could completely drop the video call. For professionals, that could provide extremely risky for company relations.

Web Conferencing: The Pros

Pros of Web Conferencing:


1. Most Web Conferencing services are often FREE. Skype, Oovoo and Google Talk are all free services. They simply require you to download the program; however, it is at no cost.

2. It is extremely easy to use. You simply create a user name and add others to your contact list. You click "call" to start a conference with them, it is as simple as that.
3. Responses are instant. Unless you have an extremely poor internet connection, responses are instant instead of lagging.
4. Video and Audio quality is extremely clear. There is often no time lapse or lag at all and it appears as though the person is directly and clearly in front of you.
5. On many programs, you can conference with multiple people. Some programs only allow conferencing between two cameras; however, many of them allow conferencing between nearly five or six cameras.

6. Professional businesses are using web conferencing to speak to their overseas branches. As I said before, my Mother as an accountant for a company with multiple branches uses Skype to talk to them rather than use a telephone. Long distance phone bills are expensive, where as Skype is free whether the person is in the next state or the next time zone. It could also save on travel costs of business trips in the offices as well.

Links:

http://www.ivci.com/web_conferencing_benefits.html

Web Conferencing: The Basics

Web Conferencing: The Basics


Web Conferencing is a service which allows someone to communicate with another primarily via webcam. Web Conferencing can be used in the professional world, especially if the company has offices in various locations. People also use it for "webinars" which are web-based seminars often using webcam capabilities as well. For example, my Mother's company has offices in Rochester, London and China. She often has to use Web Conferencing  to speak to them from her office or have a meeting with their executives.

Links:

www.skype.com

www.oovoo.com

http://www.google.com/talk/

Personal Application of Web Conferencing:

I use Web Conferencing on a daily basis. As many other college students, I am in a long distance relationship. However, my situation is a bit unique. In my case, my fiance lives in London, England. We met years ago on a website for NHL Hockey fans and have been together for three years. The use of Instant Messaging and Web Conferencing especially has been a staple in our relationship. Until I graduate college we will be long distance, and surprisingly it is not too hard to maintain the relationship with the help of Skype. We go back and forth numerous times a year visiting each other, and in the off times we have Skype. I cannot even begin to describe how important Skype has been to us. We are able to see each other and communicate daily. Due to our distance, communication is the backbone of our relationship; thus, we are extremely healthy when communicating our wants and feelings to each other. Many people pass judgement when they learn of our particular locations, but I owe everything to the internet otherwise we never would have found each other, and you can find your soulmate anywhere. Mine just happened to be in England. Once I graduate he will live here, but until then, Skype has been a vital aspect of our relationship.

Chat Rooms: The Cons

Cons of Chat Rooms:

1. Since they are entirely anonymous. You can never know if the person you are speaking to is in fact who they say they are. The first thing asked in a chat room is often ASL? (age/sex/location), which is used by predators to find someone vulnerable, and others use it to honestly find someone their age to speak to about common interests.

2. Chat Rooms can be completely addictive. Much like the topic above, of not truly knowing who the person is, a person can become addicted speaking to someone they do not actually know. Young people using chat rooms are completely vulnerable and gullible to these manipulations.

Citations for further reading:

http://tcs.cybertipline.com/knowthedangers2.htm

Chat Rooms: The Pros

The Pros of Chat Rooms:


1. Chat Rooms are FREE. In most cases, there is no cost of using a chat room, especially if you use the program that comes along with your internet provider. All major internet providers have a Chat Room program, as well as AOL/AIM. There are also numerous websites (ex: Chatablanca) which enable chat rooms as well.
2. There is no additional software to download. Unless you are using a video-based chat style such as Chat Roulette (which would require a flash player), there is no additional software needed. Just log on and you're in!
3. They are easy to use and navigate. They are extremely upfront with finding a category suiting your needs of discussion.
4. They address taboo subjects. Some Chat Rooms are based on sensitive subjects like suicide and can allow a person to speak with others who feel the same way, and possibly have a therapeutic experience which could help them find a better way to deal with their issues.
5. They are a fantastic way to express yourself and bring together people from all walks of life. There is a category of chat rooms for almost any purpose, whether it be romance, sports or just discussing the latest episode of Glee.

Chat Rooms: The Basics

Chat Rooms: Basic Information and Types:

Chat Rooms are an online service which creates a venue for users with a common interest to interact and communicate with each other in real time. Chat rooms have the capability to hold multiple users, rather than just 2, so the user is able to have a large group conversation. They do not require any special software to use in most cases. Chat Rooms can be accessed using a "Screen Name". The rooms are beneficial for those killing time on the internet by communicating with those with common interests; however, they are also quite dangerous.

Links:

http://messenger.yahoo.com/features/chatrooms/

http://chat.aim.com/

http://www.chatablanca.com/

http://chatroulette.com/

E-Mail: The Cons

Now we will discuss the cons:


1. E-Mail is impersonal. While email is definitely extremely easy, it is nothing like having a face to face conversation or physically writing a letter.

2. E-mail is so easy to use, that a message can be written and sent extremely quickly, even in a fit of rage. Once a message is sent, there is no way to get it back, even if it has not yet been viewed. This can be personally damaging to some people who do not think carefully before they send and act on their emotions.

3. E-Mail security is very weak. Many people in the modern era do shopping online, with their receipts and order summaries, and thus credit card information, going into their email. This information then becomes possibly viewable to others trying to hack in.

4. In email, one can only send text or videos and pictures. While through "snail mail" one can send actually objects and presents.

5. Email filters are also extremely weak. Often times, needed messages will go to the junk box, while unnecessary emails often make their way into the inbox. They often offer some sort of monetary prize causing the person to obliviously open the email and either a.) cause many companies to now have their email address, or b.) cause  the spread of damaging viruses via email.