Today’s technology allows us to use telecommunication programs with just our internet connection, microphone and web camera. Have you attended a video conference?

The use of Video conference systems provide the benefit of not having to associate travel costs for a meeting between two or more people. A meeting can easily be done using video conference tools which saves time and money. Gone are the days to fill out tedious travel expense claims and retrieving lost receipts. Factors to consider when choosing a video conference system and/or service include reviewing;

– the room size, echo problems
– number of viewers, how many can stream video simultanesouly
– costs, may be fees at particular number of feeds
– Streaming feeds number, how many cameras can stream simultaneously
– Text-chat, text-chat feature for you to send written messages to other participants
– File transfer, can you send files to other people in the meeting
– Session Recording, can you record the video and audio feeds
– Web-based, do you need to download a software client in order to use the service

Government, private corporations and education offices may use the following systems and are quite expensive;

– TelePresense systems
– Integrated Conferencing systems, used in schools and offices
– Set top video systems, small and mobile system resembling a monitor.

Small home business owners and private practice professionals also have access to video conference systems, for a cost, such as with the Desktop video conferencing system.

A video conference (also known as a video teleconference) is designed to serve needs for a conference rather than between two individuals. These tools use to be quite expensive to provide and access but new technology has since changed and service providers have risen and are more competitive thus lower prices or reasonable costs.

Audio conference calls are still popular but video conference calls are gaining the same. Video conference calls use almost the same technology as audio calls with the use of a multipoint control unit which serves as a bridge and interconnects simultaneous calls from several points. Are you ready to sit in front of your web cam?

The FREE video conference web based systems can be a useful alternative system, for people, family and friends, to meet and collaborate on projects whether professional or private. These available programs are free, may require registration, a fast internet connection, may be used on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux, require web cam with microphone and best to read all available requirements at their sites and are as follows ;

– MegaMeeting
– Zoho Meeting
– MeBeam
– Meebo
– TokBox
– PalBee
– iVisit
– OoVoo
– vSee
– Wengomeeting
– Vidivic

I have only listed a few popular video conference systems and am sure there are many more. The only thing we will have to worry about is getting camera shy and getting nervous. We do want to project a professional image and maybe should practice in front of our own web cams in private, to help overcome initial self-conscious feelings we may have. Read related –> here and there.

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Article(C)2009 Dame Scribe, all rights reserved. Dame Scribe creates articles and posts online. She creates articles on business skills & development, health, science, technology and society and has a strong passion for writing.