As technology continues to change and develop, the world of virtual conferencing continues to expand in both use and reliability. On many levels, virtual conferencing works to make communication possible among individuals who are located in far-flung places.
Function
Virtual conferencing exists to give individuals and businesses the ability to meet with and learn from coworkers and experts in a more convenient manner. It is a cost-effective means of communication that is freely available to anyone with an Internet connection.
Advantages
By using virtual conferencing you can communicate with anyone on the planet without leaving the comfort of your own home. It eliminates the hassle and expense of travel arrangements, thus saving time and money.
Video
The most obvious form of virtual conferencing is a video conference. Video conferencing allows individuals or groups to conduct a live meeting spanning the globe or a prerecorded lesson with just the use of a web camera and Internet connection.
Chat
Chat (also known as instant messaging) is another form of virtual conferencing. Chat services allow their members to communicate with each other through the written word in real time.
Future
While there are still some glitches to work out in virtual conferencing, such as slower or incompatible computer processing systems, experts expect the future of virtual conferencing to include universally used technology that is compatible with all streaming/live video, as well as structuring and planning that makes virtual conferencing as effective as a live encounter.
I think RHUB (www.rhubcom.com) is getting close to making things as good as a real life conference. That’s what I use at work, and with the combination of video, desktop sharing, and the ability to record conferences, I’ve been able to do just about what I’d like with these conferences.
Comment by Kelsey C — 09/12/2009 @ 4:55 PM