Speakers page

Can You Hear Me Now?

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:08:52 +0000

Can You Hear Me Now?

by: Peter Lopez

I'm sure you've seen the cellular phone commercial, two customers are on cell phones and one says, “Can you hear me now?” takes a step back and repeats, “Can you hear me now?” While commercials like that make us laugh, the truth is that as telecommunications expand and include many different options, we must make sure that we are not exchanging flexibility for sound quality.

Today's telecommunication choices have expanded and continue to progress. We have moved from the standard telephone to the pager or beeper (which has become virtually obsolete) to the cell phone, and now that the world is going wireless, VoIP and VoWiFi are on the rise. Computer technology has explored every aspect of audio and video capabilities discovering mpegs and Codecs.

When it comes to VoIP and communication you can take some steps to make sure that you are obtaining the utmost in audio and voice quality.

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, and is the application of transferring audio as data packets over the Internet and to a receiving computer or VoIP enabled device. You can use three different types of methods to communicate with VoIP. First, you can use your computer with an attached microphone and speakers. You also have the option of using a standard telephone, by connecting it to your broadband modem and your telephone. You can also use a VoIP enabled telephone.

Audio Codecs are used to transfer the audio sound into the data packet before it is sent over the Internet. Some voice Codecs are also referred to as Voice Coders or Voice Encoders. There are a few commonly used Codecs for VoIP. These are G.711, G.729, and ITU-T.

There are certain programs that you can use to check your bandwidth and help with any audio quality issues that you may be having. You can also upgrade to a higher audio codec, such as the G. 729 and see if that makes a difference.

Generally speaking, most people are amazed by the quality of VoIP. Audio issues are usually mild and simple to solve. Just upgrading Codecs can make a big difference.

We can expect that the future of VoIP telephony will increase and as it does, preparations will be made to ensure that only the highest quality will ultimately be produced. Some phones are now hybrids: half VoIP or VoWiFi and Cellular. For these phones audio quality is being looked at as an important factor in the design of the phone.

Major corporations are now taking an interest in designing VoWi Fi telephones. We can be sure that these large companies aren't going to skimp on audio quality. For certain, there are some properties that can't be changed, such as using a wireless VoIP phone in a place with bad reception. But for the overall product, voice quality is a priority when designing telephony equipment.

With so many companies taking an interest in VoIP, even Verizon has come out with their branded VoIP services, we can believe that in the next five years products will burst on the scene with many more enhanced features. Since VoIP utilizes the Internet, one can only imagine what type of futuristic VoIP phones will soon beset us.

While VoWiFi phones will only work outside in hotspot zones, you can rest assured that the quality of your VoWiFi phone will be exceptional when you are in “the zone”.

Telecommunications are advancing every day, and more people are relying on the Internet for their audio and video communications. Instant messaging programs are embracing VoIP with open arms, and the everyday consumer is experiencing the power of integrated video, data, and audio. By using a simple web cam, microphone, and speakers, people are enjoying the freedom that is offered solely by VoIP. Users are learning that microphones, audio Codecs, and high-speed Internet connections can transmit in real time, and give a crystal clear sound.

Of course, one of the main components in high quality audio telecommunications is to have up to date equipment. You need to begin with a good soundboard on your computer, before you can expect high quality audio from your computer's speakers.

With the new millennium and its new telecommunications we can finally answer the question and say, “Yes, I can hear you.”

About The Author

Peter works full time earning an income from the internet by developing interesting content sites. You can view his VOIP website here http://www.voip101.net

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as this resource box is included

The History of Voice over Internet Protocol

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:42:23 +0000

The History of Voice over Internet Protocol

by: Van Theodorou

The History of Voice over Internet Protocol By the end of 2006,

Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) may account for as much as

25 - 40% of international voice traffic. This prediction is

impressive, but it is even more amazing when you consider the

relatively short history of voice over internet protocol. It

began as a hobby for some people in Israel who were only able to

communicate by computer.

Later that year, in 1995, the first company in the history of

voice over internet protocol to put a product on the market was

Vocaltec. They released Internet Phone Software, which in

combination with a home computer, sound card, speakers,

microphone and modem allowed users to make a phone call over the

internet. However, the people on both ends had to have the same

setup, and sound quality was much less than on a normal phone.

In 1998, there were more milestones in the history of voice over

internet protocol. Entrepreneurs began to recognize the

potential of the technology and soon computer-to-phone and

phone-to-phone connections (still using a computer for the

transmission) were possible for making voice calls over the

internet. The service was available using a phone at a

provider's location in North America only.

It required the users to listen to an advertisement at the

beginning and end of each phone call, but in exchange their long

distance calls were free. In 1998, less than 1% of voice calls

were made using voice over internet protocol.

Businesses began to use VOIP over their intranets to help

communicate within their company. But with the introduction of

switching equipment in 1998 by 3 manufacturing companies, the

history of voice over internet protocol took a turn towards the

future.

Now VOIP could become more readily available to users at home

instead of at a specific facility belonging to the provider. By

the year 2000, more than 3% of voice calls were made over the

internet using VOIP.

Today, there are both hardware and software options for those

interested in business VOIP and for their personal use. You can

purchase hardware that will allow you to use your normal phone

handset when making a phone call.

You can buy phones that are VOIP ready and need only an internet

broadband connection. Or, you can purchase or download software

that will let you use your computer instead of a phone, provided

that you have speakers, a microphone, and an appropriate sound

card.

Many phone companies have begun to offer packages that include

local and long distance VOIP calls for a flat monthly fee. With

the advent of broadband services, sound quality has become

parallel to regular land line phones for the first time in the

history of voice over internet protocol. And the number of

people using VOIP is only expected to grow.

About The Author

Van Theodorou will help you slash your telecom expenses over 43%

and assist or even become your telecom department at no cost to

you. For a free analysis or phone consultation go his site at

http://www.worldnet-long-distance.com.

The Five Most Common Mistakes When Buying Car Speakers

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:07:20 +0000

The Five Most Common Mistakes When Buying Car Speakers

by: Ross McIver

When it comes time to buying replacement speakers for a car audio system, there are several mistakes which are commonly made. Be sure to read this handy guide to avoid the five most common mistakes when buying car speakers.

1. Plan your budget. Are you revamping your entire audio system? If so you need to allocate money to different parts of the system. If you are just changing the speakers, decide how much money you want to spend on them before seeing what is available. This will allow you to keep costs within a reasonable range.

2. Consider how much you are willing to modify your car. Some speaker systems require extensive modification. This is an extra cost which must be factored into your budget, and also may affect the resale value of the car if you decide you want to try and keep the audio system.

3. What do you use your car for? If you travel extensively and are on the road almost every day, you should probably splurge and buy the best quality speakers you can afford. After all, your car is like a second home, and anything you can do to make it more comfortable will enhance your working life. On the other hand, if you only use the car to go to the grocery store and most of the time it sits on the driveway, it's a bit of a waste to go for high-end car speakers.

4. How long are you going to keep your car? If you plan on using the same car for two years or more, it makes sense to buy good-quality speakers. If you're going to sell the car next month and are simpler looking for a upgrade to the audio system to make it easier to sell, keep your car speaker budget to a minimum.

5. What kind of music you listen to? This will have a big influence on the type of car audio system that you have. If you like to listen to strong, bass-heavy music, you should get powerful amplifiers and ample subwoofers. On the other hand, if your music tastes run to classical or pop, you want a speaker system which can reproduce the entire audio spectrum evenly.

About The Author

Ross McIver is car audio enthusiast and author of the Audio How To Section of the http://www.selected-audio-reviews.com/

Public Speaking: 9 Characteristics Of The Greats

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 06:06:45 +0000

Public Speaking: 9 Characteristics Of The Greats

by: Paul Evans

There's more to speaking than sharing a few words. Here are the top nine characteristics of public speakers that you can use too

1. Solid Content. Even a person lacking charismatic gifts can develop solid content. Always share something the audience finds valuable to their lives.

2. Humorous. It's hard to hate someone you laugh with. The best speakers find a way to get people smiling early in the program. It opens hearts and makes the group receptive. You don't have to be hilarious, just humorous.

3. Organized. There's no excuse for rambling through a presentation. Have your notes structured in way that keeps you on pace and on target. Listeners should feel they received a message that made sense and was easy to remember.

4. Approachable. Some speakers try to get in and get out as fast as possible, but the audience likes to know the speaker is available an approachable. One of the best ways to make a good impression is to get to the event early and meet people as they come in.

5. Authenticity. It's said that honest arrogance is preferred over false humility. We all want to know people are being honest with us and that what we see is what we get. Be true to yourself and others by being the same around everyone. That way you don't feel like one person in front of an audience and another person at other times.

6. Growing. Great speakers continue to grow in the knowledge and application of the craft. They don't rest when reaching a particular level. Instead they continue to stretch and become better.

7. Giving. The best in this profession give without expecting return. Most big name speakers give anonymously to the charities and organizations they cherish. This giving attitude in private creates warmth and welcome in public.

8. Natural. Last night I actually watched BookSpan for the first time. I've flipped by before and mostly viewed it as a cure for insomnia. However, Walter Isaacson author of Benjamin Franklin An American Life was speaking. Having read the book I wanted to see how well he presented the material. He did a great job. I got the impression that he would be the same off the podium as he was in front of the microphone. A great example of natural expression.

9. Passionate. Speaking transfers energy with words. The more passion passes through the message the greater the chance of it being remembered and applied. No one has ever said, "I sure hope the speaker is boring." Instead they like to say things like, "Wow! She sure was excited about her message."

About The Author

Paul Evans is the creator of Great Public Speaking. He has helped over 30,000 speakers and presenters. http://www.GreatPublicSpeaking.com.

Be Informed When You Purchase A Computer

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:34:13 +0000

Be Informed When You Purchase A Computer

by: Sintilia Miecevole

When you go online or look at ads for electronics stores, you will probably be able to find a computer that will be just right for you. There are many types and styles available on the market. You can find a computer that will take up a whole room in your house, while you can also find a computer that will fit into the palm of your hand! At a business, you will probably find a mainframe computer. In your workplace or at home you will normally find a desktop computer. In the airport, the person sitting next to you could be working on a laptop computer or handheld computer. So, when you find yourself looking for a computer for your own personal use, you know you will have a lot to choose from.

When looking for a home computer, nowadays called a personal computer, you will find it is made up of several parts. There will be a box sitting on your desk, black, gray or beige in color. This is your actual computer, containing everything from the microprocessor to the memory, the storage to the input/output devices. You can?t work with just the ?computer? alone, though. There are accessories that go along with your computer like the monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers. Other attachments you might find are printers and digital video cameras.

If you want to buy a computer, it is good to know that there are two separate categories of computers: PCs and Macs.

- A PC is a computer modeled after components and standards created by the IBM Company. A rather high percentage of all personal computers, shown at somewhere over 90%, are PCs. Some companies that sell PC computers are IBM, Dell, Compac, and Gateway.

- A Mac computer is a personal computer made by the Apple Company. MacIntosh was its most popular style of computer several years ago. The new IMacs are popular with die-hard Mac fans, although not as many people today use Mac computers as used to.

A personal computer in your home can be used for many things, including word processing chores, personal and business letter writing, financial records and planning, internet searching, photography, and many other types of functions like graphic design and publishing. For the younger crowd, a personal computer can also be used to listen to music, watch movies or play detailed video games.

The basic elements of your personal computer that you choose, like the processor, amount of RAM, floppy or CD-Rom disk drives, hard disk drive, sound card, speakers, monitor, modem and graphics card will be determined by what kind of computer user you plan to be. Heavy users of complex programs will need much more ?stuff? on their computer than the average computer user. Once you?ve determined how much of everything you need, you will be able to calculate an average cost for the computer you want.

About The Author

Sintilia Miecevole, host of http://www.funkycomputer.com provides you with computer information from hardware, software and accessories to printers, games, reviews and more. Be sure to visit http://www.funkycomputer.com for further news.

The 3 Deadly Sins of Motivational Speakers And How To Avoid Them

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:09:37 +0000

The 3 Deadly Sins of Motivational Speakers And How To Avoid Them

by: Timothy Crawford

As I survey the speaker?s market I?ve become a tad weary willfully wearing the title "Motivational Speaker". All speakers worth their salt seek to motivate or cause action. Maybe it's just me, but does the mere mention of the term "Motivational Speaker" conjure irritating mental pictures in your subconscious mind? There are far too many stereotypes being propagated regarding speakers. I will address a few of these speaker stereotypes and hopefully simultaneously construct a not-to-do list that aspiring speakers may use on their roads to success in the lucrative speaking industry.

Motivational Speaker Stereotype Number One:

The "Over-The-Top" Speaker

The "Over-The-Top" Speaker or the O.T.T. Speaker appears to have discovered a new fad diet which includes mountains of pure sugar and caffeine. The O.T.T. will at any given moment find it necessary to expend tremendous amounts of energy racing about the platform as if a sniper has them in the crosshairs. During smaller office presentations, The O.T.T. speaker may also be seen jumping atop a desk shouting "Go For It!? or performing their best impressions of former Governor and one time Presidential hopeful, Howard Dean's famous "YEAAAAAHHHHHH".

It didn't work for Mr. Dean either.

Reality:

I do not desk hurdle. Many professional speakers whom I admire keep their gestures natural and their tones conversational in nature. This is not ?Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey? and a speaker's stage is not a big tent.

Motivational Speaker Stereotype Number Two:

The "T.M.I." Speaker

In efforts to emotionally connect with the audience, the notorious T.M.I. Speaker offers up way Too Much Information of a personal nature. To the bewilderment of the hiring authority, the TMI speaker utilizes 90% of their time recanting inner-turmoil, teary-eyed, blow-by-blow commentaries of abuse, personal struggles and tragedies. Though touching, the program's focus is obscured and the message diluted by the T.M.I. Speakers deluging pity party. The T.M.I. speaker fails to realize the goal of any program is to inspire some sort of action of the audience, not to become a martyr or charity case.

Reality:

Engaging your audience is the goal of any professional speaker, but personal stories should only be used if they directly support and impact the overall theme of your program. Please allow me to cement my viewpoint with a brief story: During my first professional position as a paralegal for a government agency I had the marvelous opportunity to work side-by-side with a number of experienced individuals and mentors. These mentors taught me many compelling business principles that I currently utilize. One day at work on a crowded elevator I struck up a conversation with one such mentor. In the efforts to protect the innocent and the ignorant I'll refer to the mentor in this story as "Mr. Edwards".

Me: Hello Mr. Edwards, I noticed you in the lobby earlier today...

Mr. Edwards: Yes, Timothy my family paid me a visit...

Me: Really? Was that your son you were holding earlier?

Mr. Edwards: Oh no, that was my nephew. I can't have kids, I'm sterile.

Me: Okay

Motivational Speaker Stereotype Number Three:

The "High-Tech, Low-Performance" Speaker

The H.T.L.P. Speaker loves to put on a show! The H.T.L.P's program not only begins, its middle and its end is littered with state-of-the-art, eye-popping sound-effects and a fantastic frenzy of flashy visuals. In the outset the audience is totally mesmerized, but it becomes grossly apparent that the H.T.L.P. is heavy on the glitz and light on the substance. The H.T.L.P. is a show-person. The H.T.L.P?s entire speech can be boiled down to a bookmark of inspirational quotes which can be readily found by any 12-year-old conducting a 30-second search on GOOGLE. Yes, the H.T.L.P. catches the audience?s attention, but has no inkling where to go from there, except, you guessed it, onto the next variation of visual, vain displays which culminate into sensory overload and useful substance deprivation.

Solution:

Many professional motivational speakers acknowledge the need to capture the audience's attention, but should a professional speaker need a truckload of explosives to do it? No. The highly regarded professional speaker realizes that he or she is the distributor of the information being disseminated not some slide projector, movie screen or artificial simulator. The speaker who relies too heavily on electronics to deliver a message detracts from the human-element of their content. Limiting the bells and whistles in the show will allow both the audience and the speaker to focus on the theme and purpose of the program. Clients watching their Rate of Investment (ROI) versus their Rate of Return (ROR) will expect less show, more business and measurable results to justify a speaker?s fee. In short, if the only requirements for an effective presentation are flashy PowerPoint slides and spectacular visuals, there's no need for a human-being, and I beg to differ.

Wrap Up:

Many elements can be included in a speaker?s arsenal to deliver the utmost impact in their programs. Story-telling, humor, props, visuals, gestures, role-playing, personal anecdotes, eye contact and poignant quotations all serve as a means to effectively communicate the overall theme of a motivational speaker?s message. A speaker shouldn't rely on any one method too heavily and the ultimate goal must always be to leave the audience with a course of action they are motivated to pursue. After all, it's what happens "after" we leave the stage that matters most, right? A professional speaker who leaves his client with positive measurable end-results is a highly sought-after resource and no joking matter.

About The Author

Timothy Crawford is Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia's Hottest Up and Coming Inspirational Speaker. Timothy's inspiring messages, natural charisma and engaging personality leave his audiences with a sense of urgency to make positive changes in their lives. An informative, writer and empowering speaker with a sincere interest in people equips Timothy to impact his audiences with an optimismtic "Will Do" theme. Timothy's motto "Claim Your Life" is taking hold. For more information about this exciting writer and speaker visit his website. Be Inspired.

timothycrawford.com

3 Big Reasons To Attend A Live Small Business Workshop

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:57:04 +0000

3 Big Reasons To Attend A Live Small Business Workshop

by: Kerry Beck

It's unbelievable that people from all over the world attend an Online Marketing Workshop, hoping to improve their own small businesses.

Ever wondered why these people would leave the comfort of their own homes, as well as their families to cram into a meeting room with a bunch of strangers for two full days?

The answer...

They know they don't have all the answers and they also realize the benefits of attending a small business workshop.

Let me share with you 3 reasons you should attend a small business workshop for online marketing in your area, perhaps Dallas, Fort Worth or another city in Texas.

1. Dynamic Content

When I attend a well-organized workshop or seminar, I am astonished at the amount of content the speakers give in their talks. Last weekend, I came home with a notebook full of ideas and notes that I could implement immediately.

Many speakers freely share their online marketing strategy at business seminars. Since the speakers are entrepreneurs themselves, they know what the attendees need to start a small business or take their small business to the next level.

2. Contacts You Won't Make With E-Mail or the Phone

It is amazing to me how a weekend conference allows small business owners to network and find others to make joint ventures. When I eat lunch with other entrepreneurs, I usually always walk away with a new tip or a partner for a new project.

Just last weekend at lunch, I found a new way to promote a conference I am hosting and my husband found a partner for his new project. Networking is definitely a bonus when you attend business conferences.

When you rub shoulders with other entrepreneurs and small business owners, you make friends and contacts with people that ?get it?. Too often, those in the 9-5 job arena just don't understand the benefits you receive when you have your own business and they surely don't understand the freedom and control you gain when you are your own boss. Attending a small business workshop allows you time with others that do ?get it?.

3. Incredible Access to World-Renowned Speakers

Think about how difficult it would be to call a nationally known speaker and visit with him about your small business. These speakers freely share the strategy that made them successful in the first place.

Most speakers spend the break time in the hallway so you have full access to them and their knowledge. No more waiting for a returned phone call or e-mail. Just walk on up to them and ask your questions.

Bonus Tip: Attend a Small Business Workshop on Uncle Sam's Money

Most business workshops, seminars and conferences are tax-deductible. You will need to check with your CPA, but I suspect you can write-off your small business workshop as a tax deduction. Hey, what a great way to travel the country and improve your bottom line, all on Uncle Sam's tab.

Why get second hand information when you can attend a LIVE event with these experts and ask your own pertinent questions? Start looking for a small business workshop nearby?check the major cities - Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles or Fort Worth. You ought to find a workshop just for you, one that provides a plan and online strategy for your own business. Who knows, you might even find a low-cost seminar nearby.

About The Author

Kerry Beck produces workshops, seminars and conferences for small business owners. To receive your free audio interview downloads from world-renowned speakers visit: http://familyebiz.com/familyexpo.htm.

How To Be Public Speakers? Check Out Public Speaking Courses

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:56:03 +0000

How To Be Public Speakers? Check Out Public Speaking Courses

by: James Masterson

Public speaking is an important course though most might think they do not need one. The skills you acquire in public speaking are certainly helpful in your everyday work routine, interacting with people and practically in your social life.

In studying public speaking, you would learn to say what you mean, develop self-confidence, learn more about yourself and how to relate with others and of course enjoy the freedom of speech.

A public speaking course would help you organize your thoughts so that your audience may fully understand your message the way you want them to understand it. You will learn, too, how to speak clearly but interestingly before an audience using verbal and non-verbal expressions. You acquire effective speaking and delivery techniques. Aside from these skills, you also develop sensitivity to the needs of others and the delivery of messages clearly with the aid of voice and body.

It is a great lift for you if you are aware that you can express yourself well. This awareness results in satisfying self-esteem, and in the long run, courage and self-reliance. With this skill, you can face anything - impromptu interviews, speeches and talks.

With these courses, you actually learn more about yourself. You reveal things that you do not know of and challenge yourself about the things that you know. You assess yourself on how much you know and how you explain it to others. While relating with others, you are discovering your strengths and weaknesses. Training yourself in public speaking will bring you to a more rewarding self-discovery.

Aside from learning about yourself, you also get to learn how to relate to others. In public speaking, you become aware of their expectations and limitations. Your ability to understand people heightens and you also become a good listener.

Most importantly, you get to enjoy the freedom of speech without being afraid but taking responsibility for the things you say. With public speaking, you are ready to standup by your views and opinions, trained to face courageously negative reactions, accept them with respect but not necessarily agreeing to them. Now, you have the capacity to listen to opinions different from yours but able to do so calmly even if the audience attacked your views. You are able to disagree without sounding disagreeable.

There are a lot of public speaking courses to choose from online, fulltime and part-time programs alike. They have different focuses like pronunciation and vocal skills training, presentation and team building skills. The companies provide in their sites the course description, outline, slots and schedules available and where you can enroll near your place. Remember, go and express yourself!

About The Author

James Masterson is Stand out, Be Recognized and Be Remembered keynote speaker. Click Here To read his latest advice http://free-online-course.com/masterson.

Cisco CCNP Certification: BGP Attribute Category Tutorial

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:05:34 +0000

Cisco CCNP Certification: BGP Attribute Category Tutorial

by: Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933

You have to master the details on BGP to pass the BSCI exam and to earn your CCNP, but BGP is an entirely new world from the protocols you studied to earn your CCNA. BGP paths contain attributes, while no protocol you studied for the CCNA carried. BGP Attributes are used to choose the best path when multiple loop-free paths exist, as well as give you other specific information about the paths. This additional information includes the autonomous systems that are along the path to a given destination, what the next-hop IP address is, and much more.

Before we examine the specific attributes, we need to understand the categories used to differentiate BGP attributes. Some attributes are required, some aren't; some attributes will be carried between routers, where others will not.

The first category is the well-known mandatory attribute. As you'd expect, these attributes are required and will be understood by all BGP speakers. Mandatory attributes include the origin code, AS_Path, and next-hop.

Well-known discretionary attributes don't have to be present, but if they are , all BGP speakers will understand their meaning. BGP attributes that fall into this category are the MED, local preference, and atomic aggregate.

Optional transitive attributes may not be fully understood by all BGP speakers, but the attributes are sent between routers as paths are exchanged. The aggregator and community attributes fall into this category.

Finally, we have the optional nontransitive attribute. If a BGP speaker does not understand this attribute, the speaker will not forward the attribute. The Originator ID and Cluster ID are optional nontransitive attributes.

There's one important BGP attribute that was left out of this list; indeed, if you're working in an all-Cisco environment, it may be the most important attribute of all. The weight attribute is Cisco-proprietary, so if you're working in a multivendor environment, this attribute is of limited value. However, the weight attribute is the first attribute considered when BGP is deciding between valid, loop-free paths, so it's an attribute we have to keep in mind. The weight attribute doesn't really fit in any of the four BGP classes we talked about earlier in the article.

If you don't know what these attributes do yet, that's okay. We'll examine each of these attributes in more detail in the next part of this free BGP tutorial. Keep studying!

About The Author

Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage (www.thebryantadvantage.com), home of free CCNA and CCNP tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study Package, and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages.

For a FREE copy of his latest e-books, ?How To Pass The CCNA? and ?How To Pass The CCNP?, visit the website and download your free copies!

A Guide to VoIP

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:55:59 +0000

A Guide to VoIP

by: James Rogers

What is VoIP? Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is the ability to transmit voice over the Internet to either a receiving computer, telephone or even a mobile phone. VoIP phone is becoming the popular worldwide telephone service for both consumer and the business communities. VoIP works by using a network technology known as Packet Switching Network whereas landline telephones use the Circuit Switching Network. This is referred to as the Public Switched Telephone Network.

What's the difference between VoIP normal phones?

The main difference between Packet Switching and Circuit Switching, is that Packet Switching uses (data) or Packets and sends them over the Internet while Circuit Switching is accomplished by using electrical circuits to make a telephone connection. Circuit Switching is like the old switchboard operators, frantically trying to connect the right caller with the receiver. Packet Switching is used to transfer data all across the Internet including E-mail. Packet Switching converts audio formats into data packets and transmits them over the Internet, then reassembles them on the other person?s phone or computer in real time. By using a Broadband Internet Connection, microphone and speakers a conversation can take place similar to traditional telephone.

VoIP phones have been round for sometime, but increases in technology it is becoming increasingly popular. Several years ago many applications were available offering some form of free VoIP phone service. Majority of these have gone or now charge a fee for the use of their service as VoIP phone provider. Moreover, VoIP is developing higher standards of quality every day, and it has proved that it is a viable force for telecommunication for the future.

Who is providing VoIP phone service?

Telephone and Internet service provider companies are expanding to allow for monthly VoIP phone services. Companies such as AOL, Verizon and Sprint have VoIP phone offerings. Recently eBay has joined the ranks of VoIP phone service providers by purchasing skype VoIP software, with its vast membership base the VoIP message will soon reach the man on the street.

What's special about VoIP?

Instant messaging programs such as MSN massager have been using VoIP technology for years. Now, most of these messaging programs come with voice enabled features which allow you to call a member of your buddy list. By using a microphone and speakers, you will be able to converse anywhere in the world, by VoIP and your Instant Messaging program.

With instant messaging VoIP incorporates different areas into one program. With your voice enabled programs, you can hook up a digital camera,web cam and use video, while you are speaking on your microphone and listening to on your speakers, and you can type back and forth with your chat program. You could even write an email at the same time. The potential for VoIP phones use is nearly limitless.

VoIP has this unique ability to integrate many forms of telecommunication applications into one package can handle data, audio, video, E-Mail, and web based applications simultaneously. This makes VoIP an incredible boost to business world and provides a cost effective choice of telephone service.

VoIP phone service providers are increasing in popularity with many people discovering all of the benefits available to them by switching from using their land line telephones to VoIP service. First, VoIP phone services costs significantly less than standard phone service, and this is a great attraction for bringing in new customers. Many VoIP phone plans will let you make unlimited long distance calls or provide you with a plan for very inexpensive rates. Many of the features that are often included for a fee with traditional phone service are often included for free with VoIP services. Features such as Call Waiting, Call Block, Call Forwarding, Conference Calling, Voice Mail are usually charged as extras by the traditional phone companies but these are usually free with the VoIP phone packages.Another benefit to VoIP services is that you can usually keep your existing phone number, or allow you to select a new area code. The means if you select an area where most of your friends and family live, a call to you will be treated as local call. For a remote business VoIP service can give the perception of having multiple office locations.

What's the future for VoIP

Make no mistake about it VoIP phone services is a the emerging contender in the telecommunication world.It is a proven technology, can seamlessly integrate into many existing applications, does not require special equipment anyone with a PC with a microphone and speakers can use the service and it is very cost effective. Talk will be cheap!

About The Author

James Rogers makes it easy to understand and take full advantage of VoIP which is the future of cheap worldwide communications. To learn more visit: http://www.voip-phone-services.net