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According to a 2003 study by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, 84 percent of American workers use computers at home. More and more workers are also working at home or on the road. In 2004, about 20.7 million Americans did some or all of their work at home. Web conferencing enables work or professional collaboration among co-workers and clients even if they are geographically apart.

Web conferencing enables document, file, application and even desktop sharing. Web conferencing can use a downloaded software or just access a URL and use a password or access code to join the group conducting the web-based conference. Web conference lessens the company funds spent on travel and also the time and effort invested on traveling.

File sharing, conducting presentations, orientations, product roll-outs and consultation can be done – in real time – through the internet. Desktop sharing is one of the most important feature/component included in web conferencing packages. Desktop sharing enhances the ability to interact and communicate with colleagues despite of being away from each other.

With desktop sharing, workers can access their work computers from any device that has internet connection, including home computers and laptops. Desktop sharing makes it easier and more engaging compared to teleconferences. With desktop and application sharing (another feature of web conferencing), one can use the applications without buying, downloading or installing any software.

According to Dave Roos (author, How Desktop Sharing Works), desktop sharing works by sending packets of information from a host computer to a remote computer. Data travel through the internet. Data maybe in JPEG and GIF format, while other data may arrive as individual pixels assigned to a particular X and Y coordinate. Data is compressed before sending it out to minimize the bandwidth used in the transfer process.

With desktop sharing, remote login or control is possible. With remote login or control, it is necessary to have a downloaded software for the sharing, internet connection and secure desktop sharing network. To share a desktop, the host computer allows a remote user to view the contents of the host computer’s desktop.

The host computer can also hand over the control of the mouse and keyboard to the remote user. Handing off the control will enable the remote user to manipulate the mouse and keyboard of the host computer.

Desktop sharing has been frequently used by technical support representatives to trouble shoot technical and software problems without physically visiting the clients. Desktop sharing provides a better customer experience. Complications brought about by providing too many instructions over the phone are lessened by remote login and access.

During a web conference, the host or presenter may allow other attendees to view his desktop to show the presentation or data that he’s encountering some problems. Attendees, then, can have control over the host’s equipment and further explain the other steps the host can take.

Desktop sharing also enables workers to enhance their collaboration and cooperation towards productiveness. If an employee is sent to a another location to conduct seminars or to do a very important presentation, this employee may contact his co-workers and ask for their opinion about his presentation. Co-workers can access the employee’s computer and provide some input about the presentation without physically going and visiting the employee who is away.

Through desktop sharing and web conferencing, working and professional relationship are improved. Conducive and productive working atmosphere is developed inside the workplace.

Popularity: 5% [?]

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Web conferencing is making big waves in the last few years. Through web conferencing meetings, consultations, collaborations, presentations, orientations and other business matters can now be done even if the participants are geographically dispersed.

Web conferencing offers different features that enable all of these possible. File, document, application, even desktop sharing are available. Instant messaging, polling, surveying, recording, and playback of meetings is also readily available. VoIP is also another feature almost present in all of web conference programs.

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. This is the method of transmitting analog audio signals through the internet. Analog signals are converted in digital data so it can be transmitted through internet connection. VoIP can turn a standard internet connection into a way to place free phone calls.

VoIP enables the user to make phone calls from anywhere with broadband connectivity. There are also VoIP soft phone providers. A soft phone is client software that loads VoIP service onto the desktop or laptop. It would display an interface on the screen that looks like a traditional telephone. Microphone or headset is a requirement to place phone calls on the soft phone.

Adding VoIP into web conferencing is like merging data and audio in a more convenient system. But there are some doubters on the affectivity of VoIP in web conferencing.

There are advantages and disadvantages for using VoIP. VoIP dramatically cuts the costs allotted for voice minute charges. Adding audio and voice in web conferences enhances the effectiveness of the meetings. Requirements for VoIP set-up is also minimal, like personal computer, broadband connection and a communications headset or other audio input device.

Before VoIP web conferencing, companies and businesses pays a lot of money for international calls using landline connections. But with VoIP, companies can save hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. By using a phone adaptor (ATA), the VoIP technology can travel anywhere. The user just have to connect their phone adaptor to a broadband connection to use it.

Two persons are not the only people that can speak on the phone line. With VoIP, setting up a conference for the whole teams in real time is possible. More calls can be handled on one access line. VoIP also has several features like Caller ID, Contact Lists, Voicemail, etc.

Meanwhile there are people who cast doubts over the VoIP use in web conferences. The voice quality is one of the biggest question over the use of VoIP. The biggest issue is echo, especially if the participants are using speakers and microphone instead of headsets.

Another consideration is that VoIP is dependent on electricity or wall power. For normal telephones, if power goes down, the phone is still working. With VoIP, no power means no phone. Since VoIP also uses computer and internet, it is susceptible to worms, viruses and even hacking. To resolve this issue, VoIP developers and providers are already working on VoIP encryption.

For worst case scenarios, a computer crashing in the middle of the call will also mean no phone. VoIP phone system is entirely dependent on personal computers and the broadband connection.

VoIP and web conferencing are still very young and developing technology. There are sill room for improvement to further improve the efficiency of VoIP. Similar to other emerging technology, the start is always the jittery part. VoIP service providers are still facing a lot of challenges to better improve the services they are offering.

Popularity: 6% [?]