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Audio conferencing software normalizes audio, video, and file sharing applications. In other words, this software allows everyone participating in a virtual meeting to see each other hear each other, and work on the same projects together. This last attribute of audio conferencing software is often called collaborative software (formerly known as groupware.) For example, if there is a diagram on the television or computer screen that everyone can see, it is possible for everyone to make marks on the document using a special whiteboard-and-pen program. This brings everyone together in as “real” a way as possible over infinite distances.

Other applications of audio conferencing software include slide shows, streaming audio and video, and document sharing. As telecommunications companies come up with newer and newer ideas, audio conferencing software will have greater and “more real” applications.

When choosing your audio conferencing vendor, the number of users or “seats” could determine which type of technology you’ll need. Some technical support will be needed for all web conferencing solutions.

Three examples of audio conferencing software brands are the following:

Centra

Centra is both a software and a service. The software has all the usual normalizing characteristics, plus a few extras. Centra can be programmed to automatically set up and communicate conference times and dates. It can also track who is logged in during the conference. Afterward, the program can automatically send meetings notes via e-mail to all participants.

Microsoft NetMeeting

Another popular audio conferencing software program, NetMeeting is compatible with any web device. It integrates your calendar, e-mail system, and so on, and is very easy to use. You can even use your web camera to take a snapshot of something and place it on the whiteboard for discussion or markup.

Xbox Live

Even modern video gaming systems use audio conferencing software! You can play a war game against other gamers anywhere else in the world, and talk trash to them at the same time via a headset.

Audio Conferencing Info provides detailed information about audio conferencing services, equipment, software, companies, plus online audio conferencing, and more. Audio Conferencing Info is affiliated with Original Content.

An exciting new development in Internet technology is making sales and business meetings through the Web as easy as turning on a computer.

Web based conferencing can now be used by organizations large and small. It is a very cost effective way to overcome geographical obstacles and meet with individuals or groups no matter where they are located.

Sales demonstrations and presentations can reach a large group of buyers quickly, easily and for little cost. No more traveling from location to location to repeat the same presentations. You can generate excitement and sales using audio or video in a way only the Internet can provide.

Web conferencing is poised to create a revolution in fund raising. Low cost, yet dramatic presentations can motivate contributors as no other method has been able to do.

Business and sales meetings can invite input from those in attendance. You can get valuable feedback from those using or selling your product or service. You can do PowerPoint presentations with live video conferencing just as you would if you were renting a hotel ballroom.

People in remote locations can discuss building or sales plans while simultaneously viewing the related blueprints or documents. That can save time, money and misunderstandings. Web based conferencing allows you to do this and much more through the Internet, from the convenience of your own office or location.

Web conferencing is much like participating in a telephone conference. With Web conferencing participants can use their computer's Web browser to log into a third party conferencing company's site. Once there they use a provided code to join the conference. If you are the presenter, the Web conferencing company makes all the arrangements and you are left with the just the responsibility of preparing and presenting the program.

The various Web conferencing providers offer basically the same service with some variation of features. The cost for Web conferencing is much the same as that of a teleconference and is usually negotiable. Companies that contract to do a schedule of regular Web conferencing will be offered discounted rates.

The quality of both Web audio and video technology is rapidly improving and it will soon approach that of television. There are very few limitations on the manner in which you wish to present your message.

The advantages of Web conferencing are so vast that no company can afford not to explore the many ways it can be effectively used to save time and money, and to increase sales.

Mark Walters covers develpments in Web and video conferencing at http://www.HearMeWeb.com

We are sure seeing a lot of scientific research trying to copy nature. We see non-technology copying birds, insects, spyders, animals and MIT and AUVs-Underwater Autonomous Vehicles copying fish. And before you try to catch a Tuna for Sushi better check out what it is made of first. RoboTuna has arrived;

http://www.mit.edu/afs/athena/org/t/towtan...robotunaII.html

All this in efforts to build the AUV for the US Naval Research Group.

These vehicles can detect sea mines, guard harbors, remain dormant and then when needed do their needed duty. But think of the commercial purposes, finding the King Crabs, inspecting ice pack for navagation, monitoring fish populations, tracking whales, dolphins, finding sunken treasure, finding thermal vents at depths of 30,000 plus feet below sealevel. AUVs are also available in tethered forms which are called ROVs which can be lowerd from platforms.

Finding oil and natural gas deposits are just one of the solutions which will be relatively easy for the AUVs. And just when you thought this was the only idea of copying nature check out RoboLobster too;

http://www.onr.navy.mil/media/release_display.asp?ID=105

And RoboPike;

http://web.mit.edu/towtank/www/projects.html

In a quest for efficiency and in an attempt to learn what the organic machines have modified themselves to do to stay within niches in the environment, we can learn things which may well propel us to the innovations of the future to keep mankind on the technological edge as we take our own ideas of nature and modify them to fit our needs.

Lance Winslow

There are around ten audio conferencing service providers in the Australian market, three years ago there was a great deal of difference between them. Now it is not so easy to spot the difference. The following looks at the main areas to consider when selecting a conferencing service provider. Conferencing Service Provider = CSP

Product Suite
Most conference calls now take place using on-demand services because it is the most convenient and cheapest way to meet. All CSPs provide this.
There are some small differences between providers but they are so small that 99% of users will be able to use any service. They are pretty much interchangeable.

CSPs all have long lists of features but the reality is that few users utilise anything beyond muting a line, playing back the names of the attendees and locking the meeting.

A few years ago operator managed was an important service but is now offered by fewer CSPs. It's use is really limited to people who can afford to pay a premium over automated services or have really big meetings.

Support
When it comes to support, the biggest factor is the type of conferencing platform used and where it is located.

Good service providers use extremely reliable platforms made by a small number of manufacturers. You should expect to hear one of these names, Avaya, Compunetix, Polycom, Presscom, Spectel or Voyant. If you don’t, the CSP is probably using less reliable equipment.

To provide the maximum level of redundancy a conferencing platform should to be co-located with a telephone company’s voice switch/exchange. So in Australia look for names like: Telstra, Optus, Macquarie Telecom, Primus, MCI/Verizon or AAPT.

These are basic facts for the conferencing sales person, you can probably draw your own conclusions if they cannot provide an instant answer.

What Kind of Support Do They Offer?
The very least a customer should expect is that there is a speedy response to an enquiry, service issue or account query. If there are service issues they should be addressed and resolved as quickly as possible. The person dealing with any of these should be readily available and knowledgeable.

Do I Trust My Service Provider?
Companies are often very good at selling but weak at delivering. If you have an issue does the CSP tell you what you need to hear or you what you would like to hear?

Are they easy to work with?
This is commonly a big issue for the services provided by the telephone companies who are rarely known for great customer service.

Price
Not so long ago this came in as a distant third in the selection process after product suite and support. Today, with almost identical services on offer, price becomes a much more important factor.
There is a huge range of prices in the market. The telephone companies have the luxury of being the most expensive. They are typically chosen because it saves shopping around.

Do I Like Working With My CSP?
Only you can judge this. Your CSP should provide the product suite you need at a realistic price. They should be easily available and responsive, giving honest recommendations. It should be assumed that the service is reliable.

Product Differentiation
Again, not so long ago there were real differences, now the differences for most users are unimportant. Of course in the land of marketing there will always be a new must have feature that a sales person will endeavour to convince you is or will be absolutely necessary.
For more articles on how to buy teleconferencing, visit www.HotAirConferencing.com.au

Ian Wells is the CEO of HotAir Conferencing. He has been in the conferencing industry for 12 years, working in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the UK.

He established the first specialist conferencing services in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and is widely regarded as the founder of the Asia Pacific conferencing industry. Ian has been the General Manager - Asia Pacific for MCI Conferencing which was the largest service provider in the region during his tenure and the Managing Director, Australia for Genesys Conferencing. For more articles abouy teleconferencing go to http://www.HotAirConferencing.com.au