| Where Can You Perform Video Calls? You can carry out video calls at home or anywhere a high-speed Internet connection, some privacy, and the proper hardware and software are available. Since the camera and headset are small, all you need is a computer and software. For this discussion, we assume that a computer is available.The video call software is the core of personal videoconferencing. It enables you and the other party to see as well as hear one another. You need to consider two things when selecting a solution for your personal videocon- ferencing needs: ■ Where will you use it? ■ Are there special con?guration needs? Introduction to Video Calls ? Chapter 1 9 As a business traveler, I often ?nd that during my down time I would like to participate in video calls with my family and friends.To do this I must have a solution that will work wherever I am. I could be in a hotel, an airport, a friend's home, or an Internet café. I need a solution that will work no matter where I am and no matter whose computer I am using. So where can the business traveler go to do personal videoconferencing? There are lots of options. Hotels are the best because they have high-speed connections for all the hotel guests. I stay at Marriott and Courtyard by Marriott because they have consistent high- speed connections at a reasonable price, or free in many cases, now that hotels are using high-speed Internet access to attract customers. Where else can you do personal videoconferencing when you're on the road? At any airport that has a "laptop lane" or other road warrior laptop hookup service. Many airports have WiFi access available in the general waiting area for a daily use fee, but you will not have much privacy. Some airlines actually have high-speed access on the planes on interna- tional ?ights, so you could even pass the time having a video call with your family, friends, or colleagues at 30,000 feet. As I mentioned, Internet cafés have computers and high-speed connections, and some I have visited even have Webcams. However, the connection speeds are usually not that good, with everyone else using the other computers doing gaming and such, and it is not very private.You will have to ask the business for permission to install the video call software you use on their system. If you are a frequent ?yer and belong to one of the elite ?yers clubs such as Delta's Crown Room, United's Red Carpet Room, and others, they are now starting to offer wire- less access for a fee so that you can work while waiting for a ?ight. Some airlines are the latest to offer wireless broadband for international ?ights. Boeing is planning a service called Connexion that will start to show up on domestic ?ights in the future.This brings up an interesting point about privacy, not only for you but for others sitting next or around you. You will probably want privacy when you make a video call, but what about the person sit- ting next to you? They might not want to be bothered by your video conversation after they get over the novelty of it; they might want to rest or sleep, so you must practice proper etiquette and not invade their privacy.You can ?nd more on Boeing's Connexion service at the following Web site: www.connexionbyboeing.com/ Starbucks and many other WiFi "hotspots" also have high-speed wireless connections that could allow you to do a video call, but these places are often crowded, noisy, and not private. Many hotel lobbies have wireless access and can provide a comfortable and some- what private place to make a video call. |
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