2.3.2+Pers+&+Pub+Comm+KEY+TERMS+(y2)

For each term below, contribute a unique idea (a definition, an example, an image, a link to an article about the term, embed a video, or other information/media that helps us understand the term. Put 4 ~ next to your contribution so we know who added what. 1252373731 toc
 * Personal and Public Communications Key Terms**

Convergence
Technological convergence is the tendency for different technological systems to evolve towards performing similar tasks. 1252386514

It also refers to the phenomena of a group of technologies developed to serve one purpose yet used in different contexts. (ie. Military technology, machine tools, and silicon chips) 1252499496

We are surrounded by a multi-level convergent media world, where all modes of communication and information are continually reforming to adapt to our demands of technologies, “changing the way we create, consume, learn and interact with each other” [|[1]]. In this case convergence can be defined as the interlinking of computing and other information technologies, media content and communication networks that have been created as the result of the evolution of the Internet, 1252463130

Technological convergence is the tendency for different technological systems to evolve towards performing similar tasks. Convergence can refer to previously separate technologies such as voice (and telephony features), data (and productivity applications) and video that now share resources and interact with each other, synergistically creating new efficiencies. 1253068842

Convergence in this instance is defined as the interlinking of computing and other information technologies, media content and communication networks that have arisen as the result of the evolution and popularisation of the Internet as well as the activities, products and services that have emerged in the digital media space. 1252500624

Here is an example diagram explaining convergence 1252900129

This are the videos we watched in class on 22 Sept. //Did You Know 4.0// media type="youtube" key="6ILQrUrEWe8" height="340" width="560" //Convergence and Divergence - future technology and consumers, innovation, product design, new technology, communications, phones and computer products.// media type="youtube" key="AjWgslVATuo" height="344" width="425"

Teleconferencing
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Teleconferencing is the real-time exchange of information between groups of people who are not in the same physical space. Visit "[|HowStuffWorks]" for an article with nice illustrations of how teleconferencing works. 1252463603

Internet teleconferencing includes internet phone conferencing, videoconferencing, and augmented reality conferencing. One key technology involved in internet conferencing is the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). 1252499717

Notable vendors with articles: Adobe Acrobat Connect, Glance, GoToMeeting, InterCall, Microsoft Office Live Meeting, WebEx 1252500665

http://communication.howstuffworks.com/teleconferencing.htm 1252548992

Internet telephony involves conducting a teleconference over the Internet or a Wide Area Network. One key technology in this area is Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP). Popular software for personal use includes Skype, Google Talk, Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo Messenger. 1253069184

[|Skype] is an example of VoIP software that may be used for basic teleconferencing capabilities. 1252900294

Videoconferencing
provides real time video and voice communication between terminals, usually employing dedicated systems in a Conference room setting. Video conferencing may also be accomplished by using a webcam and personal computer, when it is usually known as Desktop conferencing.1252386514

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The core technology used in videoconferencing is the digital compression of audio and video data streams in real time. It is a useful two-way communication platform. 1252499997

Videoconferencing first demonstrated in 1968   1252501078

Video conferencing allows people who are in separate locations to have a business conference without physically being in the same room as one another. This is useful in terms of cutting down on traveling costs for the company and is more time effective. 1252536055

Video-http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolavconsole/ukfs_news/hi/newsid_4870000/newsid_4878800/bb_wm_4878858.stm 1252549538

[|Here is an article] that lists some reasons as to why videoconferencing can be beneficial. It is provided by a provider of conferencing and meeting-productivity software is a link to a high resolution image of a new videoconferencing technology that uses high-definition screens and built-in monitors.1252902372

Telecommuting
Telecommuting uses telecommunication technology such as the Internet to work outside of the traditional workplace. An individual may be on a company's payroll, but perform his or her duties from the home.1252386514

"Nomad workers" or "web commuters" mostly work from home, but some go out to work in coffee shops or other places utilizing mobile telecommunications technologies. Many of those who work at home can link their home office to the corporate intranet. 1252500561

Benefits of telecommuting (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telecommuting): - increase the employability of groups, such as mothers and fathers with small children, the disabled and people living in remote areas - reduce an individual's carbon footprint, through minimizing daily commuting - increased service and international reach, since telecommuters in different time zones can ensure that a company is virtually open for business around the clock - enables offshore and outsourcing - employee has more flexibility, increases employee productivity, and reduces absenteeism. 1252464459

Telecommuters need not necessarily work from the home. A more recent extension of telecommuting is distributed work. Distributed work entails the conduct of organizational tasks in places that extend beyond the confines of traditional offices. It can refer to organizational arrangements that permit or require workers to perform work more effectively at any appropriate location, such as their homes and customers' sites - through the application of information and communication technology. 1252501611

People who use telecommuting at work have varying work hours and places, as they can work from where-ever whenever they want as long as they meet the deadline their company has set. Telecommuting is basically the replacement of 'normal' commuting in the workplace. 1252536055

[|http://home.howstuffworks.com/telecommuting.htm[[user:etseng|1252644299]]]

According to a recent article by Ere.net, a survey found that over 3/4 of people interviewed would make change their job if it involved a shorter commute. In light of this, the survey also revealed that although 45% of companies offer a bit of lenience towards long commutes (through the form of 'flex time') only 21% offer telecommuting options to their employees. Another poll conducted by Ere revealed that 29% of companies plan to use a telecommuting program for employees to telecommute everyday, 16% will allow employees to telecommute once to twice a week, and 17% of companies would consider it if employees requested it. More statistics and interesting tidbits on telecommuting at the [|source article] 1252902372

Telecommuting, e-commuting, e-work, telework, working from home (WFH), or working at home (WAH) is a work arrangement in which employees enjoy flexibility in working location and hours. In other words, the daily commute to a central place of work is replaced by telecommunication links. Many work from home, while others, occasionally also referred to as nomad workers or web commuters utilize mobile telecommunications technology to work from coffee shops or myriad other locations.1253154868

1253708233 a lady that has her office at home.

Digital Television
Information is received and displayed on a digital television using binary information, giving options for better picture and sound quality and providing additional information services based on interactivity. 1252386514

Digital Television is the sending and receiving of moving images and sound by discrete digital signals, in contrast to the analog signals used by analog TV. An example of a country going complete DTV is the UK: http://www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk/index.html. 1252465206

There are several ways to recieve digital television: Antenna, digital cable, digital satellite, or through internet protocol. Signal quality may vary. Some signals carry encryptions for protection rights. 1252500915

Digital television supports many different picture formats defined by the combination of size, aspect ratio (height to width ratio) and interlacing. With terrestrial broadcasting in the USA, the range of formats can be coarsely divided into two categories: HDTV and SDTV. It should be noted that these terms by themselves are not very precise, and many subtle intermediate cases exist. 1252501852

Modern DTV systems are able to provide interaction between the end-user and the broadcaster through the use of a return path. With the exceptions of coaxial and fiber optic cable, which can be bidirectional, a dialup modem, Internet connection, or other method is typically used for the return path with unidirectional networks such as satellite or antenna broadcast. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_television) 1252536055

[] 1252644299

There are a number of different ways to receive digital television. One of the oldest means of receiving DTV (and TV in general) is using an antenna (known as an //aerial// in some countries). This way is known as Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT). With DTT, viewers are limited to whatever channels the antenna picks up. Signal quality will also vary.1253154868

According to dtv.gov, a website devoted to the concept of digital television, there are three different quality levels of digital television:

[|Source]1252902961
 * **Standard Definition TV (SDTV)** - SDTV is the basic level of quality display and resolution for both analog and digital. Transmission of SDTV may be in either the traditional (4:3) or widescreen (16:9) format. || [[image:http://www.dtv.gov/images/icon_sdtv.gif caption="Standard Definition Television logo"]] ||
 * **Enhanced Definition TV (EDTV)** - EDTV is a step up from Analog Television. EDTV comes in 480p widescreen (16:9) or traditional (4:3) format and provides better picture quality than SDTV, but not as high as HDTV. || [[image:http://www.dtv.gov/images/icon_edtv.gif caption="Enhanced Defintion Television"]] ||
 * **High Definition TV (HDTV)** - HDTV in widescreen format (16:9) provides the highest resolution and picture quality of all digital broadcast formats. Combined with digitally enhanced sound technology, HDTV sets new standards for sound and picture quality in television. (Note: HDTV and digital TV are not the same thing — HDTV is one format of digital TV.) || [[image:http://www.dtv.gov/images/icon_hdtv.gif caption="High Definition Television"]] ||

Push-Pull Technologies

 * Push technology**, or **server push**, describes a style of [|Internet]-based communication where the request for a given transaction is initiated by the publisher or central [|server]. **Pull technology** or **client pull** is a style of network communication where the initial request for data originates from the client, and then is responded to by the server. 1252386514

Contrary to the “Pull" technology of web pages, where users request data from another program or computer, via a web browser, “Push” enables services to be targeted at the user, without them having to initiate the information collection activity. Instead, information finds the user. This means an automated retrieval of data from the Internet, corporate data sources and e-commerce web sites, is delivered directly to specific user populations in a personalized manner. Go to the website to get more information on how to create a [|"Push" server] 1252465225

In order for companies or Web sites to use this technology, they need users to download and install a client software in their computers so that it can interact with the Web and provides the user customized information. 1252501605

Push services are often based on information preferences expressed in advance. This is called a publish/subscribe model. A client might "subscribe" to various information "channels". Whenever new content is available on one of those channels, the server would push that information out to the user. 1252501950

Currently, one of the most fashionable technologies within the Internet is “Push” technology. Contrary to the “Pull' world of web pages where users request data from another program or computer, via a web browser, “Push” enables services to be targeted at the user, without them having to initiate the information collection activity. Instead, information finds the user. In other words, an automated retrieval of data from the Internet, corporate data sources and e-commerce web sites, is delivered directly to specific user populations in a personalised manner.1252644436

An example of Push-Pull technologies can be found in the new Apple software update for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Update 3.01 allows applications to pull information from web-pages and push them onto the hardware's interface even when the application is not running. This means information on the application can constantly update, giving you up-to-date information whenever you open the app. More info [|here] 1252902961

Pull technology or client pull is a style of network communication where the initial request for data originates from the client, and then is responded to by the server. The reverse is known as push technology, where the server //pushes// data to clients. Pull requests form the foundation of network computing, where many clients request data from centralised servers. Pull is used extensively on the Internet for HTTP page requests from websites.1253154868