What new in communication

What's new in Communication?

The world today is a quickly changing world. There are various innovations that occur daily and the environment is fast changing.

This kind of environment is what can be refered to as a datasphere being composed of television, radio, newspapers, magazines and now, of course, cell phones, the internet, voice mail, email, and all the newly exploding forms of communication. This datasphere can instantly transmit information anywhere around the world in seconds. This is a great thing. But it results in quick, constant change. Some people predict that entire industries, such as travel agencies and stock brokerages, will disappear and be replaced by the internet. Because of the speed of change, the number of jobs eliminated from the traditional market is probably going to grow exponentially. In the U.S. alone we are currently losing 500,000 jobs a year which are replaced by technology, and some predict that by 2004 or 2005, this might grow to a million jobs a year.

There is little we can count on remaining the same today, except for the Rules of Chocolate, and today's communication needs remind me a little of Rule #1 for chocolate: if you've got melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly.

Likewise, if you're not constantly updating your methods of communication, you no doubt are communicating too slowly.

We're going to be discussing recent innovations in communications -- from print to audio and video, to the constantly new forms available through the internet. My hope is to give you the information you need to successfully move yourself and your company into the 21st Century. Let's begin by looking at what's new in communications. Many of the more recent innovations in communications are net-based:

1. There are over 20,000 news and discussion groups (usenet) on the net, covering almost any subject you can think of. These groups allow you to search for information, get help, swap ideas, join in discussions.
   
   
2. I-net chats (IRC) allow you to chat with people from all over the world through your computer keyboard
   
   
3. I-net phone Using your sound card and a microphone, you can speak to people around the world in real time.
   
   
4. Internet video conferencing is still in its infancy but this is developing rapidly, as communications become faster. Using a small camera (just larger than a golf ball) you can see and speak to people around the world in real time.
   
   
5. Real audio You can now listen to hundreds of radio stations from all over the world transmitting worldwide
   
   On the lighter side, there is:
6. Streaming video (audio/video combination that lets you watch the latest music video and other film clips as they are released by major artists and film companies. You can now even make a streaming audio/video info-mercial on the net.
   
   
7. Multi-player games allow you to play a variety of games with people all over the world, from bridge to the latest interactive driving and "shoot em up" games.
   
   
8. Online shopping. Lets you order goods/services worldwide, to be delivered to your door

Growth. Change. Rapid world-wide communication. Are you and your company ready? Here are questions to ask yourself to find out: