Thursday, October 1, 2009

What is VoIP??




Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is a technology that allows you to make voice calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. Some VoIP services may only allow you to call other people using the same service, but others may allow you to call anyone who has a telephone number - including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers. Also, while some VoIP services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, other services allow you to use a traditional phone connected to a VoIP adapter.

How VoIP / Internet Voice Works
VoIP services convert your voice into a digital signal that travels over the Internet. If you are calling a regular phone number, the signal is converted to a regular telephone signal before it reaches the destination. VoIP can allow you to make a call directly from a computer, a special VoIP phone, or a traditional phone connected to a special adapter. In addition, wireless "hot spots" in locations such as airports, parks, and cafes allow you to connect to the Internet and may enable you to use VoIP service wirelessly.

A broadband (high speed Internet) connection is required. This can be through a cable modem, or high speed services such as DSL or a local area network. A computer, adaptor, or specialized phone is required. Some VoIP services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, while other services allow you to use a traditional phone connected to a VoIP adapter. If you use your computer, you will need some software and an inexpensive microphone. Special VoIP phones plug directly into your broadband connection and operate largely like a traditional telephone. If you use a telephone with a VoIP adapter, you'll be able to dial just as you always have, and the service provider may also provide a dial tone.

Definition of website and blog

What is a website??

A website (also spelled web site) is a collection of related web pages, images, videos or other digital assets that are addressed with a common domain name or IP address in an Internet Protocol-based network. A web site is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via the Internet or a private local area network.

A web page is a document, typically written in plain text interspersed with formatting instructions of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML, XHTML). A web page may incorporate elements from other websites with suitable markup anchors.

Web pages are accessed and transported with the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), which may optionally employ encryption (HTTP Secure, HTTPS) to provide security and privacy for the user of the web page content. The user's application, often a web browser, renders the page content according to its HTML markup instructions onto a display terminal.

All publicly accessible websites collectively constitute the World Wide Web.

The pages of a website can usually be accessed from a simple Uniform Resource Locator (URL) called the homepage. The URLs of the pages organize them into a hierarchy, although hyperlinking between them conveys the reader's perceived site structure and guides the reader's navigation of the site.

Some websites require a subscription to access some or all of their content. Examples of subscription sites include many business sites, parts of many news sites, academic journal sites, gaming sites, message boards, web-based e-mail, services, social networking websites, and sites providing real-time stock market data.


What is a blog??

A blog (a contraction of the term "weblog")[1] is a type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, Web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. Most blogs are primarily textual, although some focus on art (artlog), photographs (photoblog), sketches (sketchblog), videos (vlog), music (MP3 blog), and audio (podcasting). Micro-blogging is another type of blogging, featuring very short posts.

Make a website

When measuring web design and website, one must take into consideration a number of factors/steps:

10 Steps To Building a WebSite:

1. Decide on the type of Web site you need.
2. Register a domain name.
3. Host your own Web site or work with a Web hosting service?
4. Build the Web site yourself or hire a Web designer and developer?
5. Optimize your Web site for search engines.
6. Thoroughly test your Web site, and then go live.
7. Promote your Web site.
8. Analyze your Web site traffic.
9. Obtain customer feedback.
10. Rethink, refresh, revise.

Social Networking

Social Networking - perhaps you've heard of it before, but are not quite sure what it means.

Social networking is the grouping of individuals into specific groups, like small rural communities or a neighborhood subdivision, if you will. Although social networking is possible in person, especially in the workplace, universities, and high schools, it is most popular online. This is because unlike most high schools, colleges, or workplaces, the internet is filled with millions of individuals who are looking to meet other internet users, to gather and share first-hand information or experiences about any number of topics, from golfing to gardening developing friendships, or to start a professional relationship

When it comes to online social networking, websites are commonly used. These websites are known as social sites. Social networking websites function like an online community of internet users. Depending on the website in question, many of these online community members share a common interest such as hobbies, religion, or politics. Once you are granted access to a social networking website you can begin to socialize. This socialization may include reading the profile pages of other members and possibly even contacting them. You can even organize and combine all of your online profiles into just ONE "Whzz Key" profile at http://www.whzzz.com/.

Meet New Friends @The friends that you can make are just one of the many benefits to social networking online. Another one of those benefits includes diversity because the internet gives individuals from all around the world access to social networking sites. This means that although you are in the United States, you could develop an online friendship with someone in Denmark. Not only will you make new friends, but you just might learn a thing or two about new cultures or new languages and learning is always a good thing.

As mentioned, social networking often involves grouping specific individuals or organizations together. While there are a number of social networking websites that focus on particular interests, there are others that do not. The websites without a main focus are often referred to as "traditional" social networking websites and usually have open memberships. This means that anyone can become a member, no matter what their hobbies, beliefs, or views are. However, once you are inside this online community, you can begin to create your own network of friends and eliminate members that do not share common interests or goals.

As I'm sure you're aware, there are dangers associated with social networking: data theft and viruses are on the rise. The most prevalent danger though often involves online predators or individuals who claim to be someone that they are not. Although danger does exist with networking online, it also exists with networking out in the real world, too. Just like you're advised when meeting strangers at clubs and bars, school, or work -- you are also advised to proceed with caution online. By being aware of your surroundings and who you are talking to, you should be able to safely enjoy social networking online. Just use common sense and listen to your inner voice; it will tell you when something doesn't feel right.

Once you are well informed and comfortable with your findings, you can begin your search from hundreds of networking communities to join. This can easily be done by performing a standard internet search. Your search will likely return a number of results, including MySpace, FriendWise, FriendFinder, Yahoo! 360, Facebook, Orkut, and Classmates.

Online acronym / Internet Slang

Internet slang (Internet language, Internet Short-hand, netspeak or chatspeak) is a type of slang that Internet users have popularized and in many cases, have coined. Such terms often originate with the purpose of saving keystrokes. Many people use the same abbreviations in texting and instant messaging, and social networking websites. Acronyms, keyboard symbols and shortened words are often used as methods of abbreviation in Internet slang.

Common chat acronyms and their meanings are listed below:

#
2 To
411 Information

A
AFAIK As far as I know
AFK Away from keyboard
AIM AOL Instant Messenger
AKA Also known as
AOL America Online
ASAP As soon as possible
ASL Age, sex, location

B
b/c Because
B/W Between
b4 Before
BBIAB Be back in a bit
BBL Be back later
BCC Blind carbon copy
bf Boyfriend
BFF Best friends forever
BFN Bye for now
BOT Back on topic
BRB Be right back
BTW By the way

C
CC Carbon copy
CTN Can't talk now
cya See ya
CYE Check your e-mail

D
DIY Do it yourself
dl Download

E
ETA Estimated time of arrival

F
f Female
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
fb Facebook
FUBAR Fouled up beyond all recognition
FWIW For what it's worth
FYI For your information

G
gb Goodbye
gf Girlfriend
GG Good game
GJ Good job
GL Good luck
gr8 Great
GTG Got to go

H
HOAS Hold on a second
HTH Hope this helps
hw Homework

I
IAC In any case
IC I see
IDK I don't know
IIRC If I remember correctly
IM Instant Message
IMO In my opinion
IRT In regards to

J
J/K Just kidding

K
K OK

L
L8 Late
L8R Later
LMAO Laughing my a** off
LMK Let me know
LOL Laughing out loud
LQTM Laughing quietly to myself

M
m Male
MMB Message me back
MMO Masively Multiplayer Online
msg Message
MYOB Mind your own business

N
N/A Not Available
NC No comment
ne1 Anyone
NM Not much
NP No problem
NTN No thanks needed

O
OMG Oh my gosh
OT Off topic

P
PHAT Pretty hot and tempting
PIR People in room
PK Player Killing
pls Please
POS Parent over shoulder
ppl People
pwn Own

Q
qt Cutie

R
RE Regarding
ROFL Rolling on the floor laughing
ROTFL Rolling on the floor laughing
RPG Role Playing Game
RTFM Read the flippin' manual

S
SOS Someone over shoulder
sup What's up

T
TBA To be announced
TBC To be continued
TC Take care
thx Thanks
TIA Thanks in advance
TISNF That is so not fair
TLC Tender love and care
TMI Too much information
TTFN Ta-ta for now
TTYL Talk to you later
txt Text
TY Thank you

U
U2 You too
ur Your

V
VM Voicemail

W
W/ With
w/e Whatever
w/o Without
W8 Wait
WB Write back

X
XOXO Hugs and kisses

Y
Y Why
YW You're welcome

Z
ZZZ Sleeping

Netizen

A Netizen (a portmanteau of Internet and citizen) or cybercitizen is a person actively involved in online communities. Netizens can use the Internet to engage in activities of extended social groups, such as giving and receiving viewpoints, furnishing information, fostering the Internet as an intellectual and a social resource, and making choices for the self-assembled communities. Generally, a netizen can be any user of the worldwide, unstructured forums of the Internet. The word netizen itself was coined by Michael Hauben. Generally, Netizens are Internet users who utilize the networks from their home, workplace, or school (among other places). Netizens try to be conducive to the Internet's use and growth. In internet commerce, Netizens in an internet community form a social commerce framework with other netizens of the global community. Netizens, who use and know about the network of networks, usually have a self-imposed responsibility to make certain that it is improved in its development while encouraging free speech and open access. Netizens' use of the Internet around the world has been marked by:


E-mail
Delivery of letters by means of the Internet, as a replacement to the traditional based paper correspondence letters.

Online chat
Establishing of one-on-one or group conversations by means of the Internet.
Instant messaging
Software which enables real time conversations without the need of using a website (in contrast to online chats).

Internet fora
Web Sites which serve to hold discussions in defined subjects.
Online games
Multiplayer Computer games which are played through the Internet.

Blog
A kind of log in which the writer(s) writes in it in any possible subject in which he or she desires to talk discuss at any time the author(s) so desires, and in which the writer(s) control access to.

Feedback comment system
A Mechanism used in web sites to post responses from the internet users, which is mostly used in the news web sites, in blogs and in the other additional sites

File sharing
A technology which enables the internet users to share files from their computers with other internet users, and in return the same internet user is capable of downloading files from the computer of other internet users. This enables the fast distribution, not always legal, of software, music, etc.

Gopher
A distributed document search and retrieval network protocol designed for the Internet. Its goal is to function as an improved form of Anonymous FTP, enhanced with hyper linking features similar to that of the World Wide Web.

Wiki
A collection of web pages designed to enable anyone who accesses it to contribute or modify content, using a simplified markup language.

Comparison between two types of search engine







History
LeapFish.com was launched on November 3rd, 2008 with its slogan “The best of the web in a single search”. It is a registered trademark of Dotnext Inc. Leapfish is a type of metasearch site known as a search aggregator. Search aggregators compile and list the results taken from other search engines, in addition to providing their own content (generally in the form of advertising or result positioning based on internal algorithms. In the case of LeapFish, the top results of any given search can be advertisements, where an individual or company can pay a registration fee to LeapFish to be positioned at the top of the result list in response to certain keyword searches. There is controversy that happened to this search engine. The new leapfish.com has had a mixed reception from users of site point forums, from bloggers and other regular web users. On February 3rd, 2009 the online blog TechCrunch posted evidence of LeapFish sales representatives intentionally abusing the Google's pay-per-click model against potential customers. The CEO of LeapFish's parent company, DotNext, confirmed the sales representative's actions, but announced that the representative was no longer employed by the company. The company has also been accused of astroturfing (Note, in particular, the comment from Robin Wauters on November 20th, 2008 at 12:57 pm PST), and spamming. As opposed to other Search Engines, such as Google or Yahoo which appear to favor web based sales, Leapfish keywords are largely sold via hardsell telemarketing operation which has not been without friction with the online community. The available language for this homepage is English. The URL for this homepage is – http://www.leapfish.com.

Blackle.com was launched on January 2007, created by Toby Heap and owned by Heap Media Australia. The revenue for this search engine is $3,500 daily. The type of site is search engine. Blackle.com is a website powered by Google Custom Search, which aims to save energy by displaying a black background color for search results. The concept behind Blackle is that computer monitors can be made to consume less energy by displaying much darker colors. Blackle is based on a study which tested a variety of CRT and LCD monitors. There is dispute over whether there really is any energy saving effects. This concept was first brought to the attention of Heap Media by a blog post, which estimated that Google could save 750.0 megawatt-hours a year by utilizing it for CRT screens. The homepage of Blackle provides a count of the number of megawatt-hours that have supposedly been saved by enabling this concept. Darren Yates, a technology journalist who reviews computer hardware, tested 4 CRT monitors and 23 LCD monitors, and found that the CRT monitors did use more energy displaying a white screen, but less than the calculations made by the blog post that inspired Blackle. The LCD monitors tested showed slightly less power use displaying a white screen in the majority of cases, although most of the larger (24-inch) monitors did use slightly less power displaying a black screen. The available language for this homepage are English, Portuguese, French, Czech and Italian. The URL for this homepage is - http://www.blackle.com











Interface
LeapFish.com is one of search engine that also popular among the user. The interface for this search engine is simple, but still looks nice and organized. The word of leapfish is in blue of color and all of the words are in small letters. The user just need to ‘click free search’ after entering the term to perform the searching task. Besides that, this type of search engine also provides non-webpage results such as the latest video, today tips, weather, market summary, and multimedia or news articles in form of widgets. Furthermore, there are also some tabs that also provided for instance web, news, answer, video, images, shopping and blogs. Other than that, what attract me to choose this search engine is that at its homepage it also provides tabs that can link you to other search engine like yahoo, Google and msn. In addition to its search tools, LeapFish also provides domain appraisals complimented with a scoring system via their own proprietary algorithm. In addition to appraisal values, LeapFish provides Domain Information such as Traffic Rankings and Unique Visitors from Compete.com.

Blackle.com is another type of search engine that I have chosen. This type of search engine is very different from the first type of search engine that I have mentioned above. It is because the interface is completely different from the LeapFish.com where Blackle.com did not provide any tabs or widgets at its homepage. After the user entering the terms, they just need to click the search button to perform the searching task. So, it can be said that the interface for this search engine is really simple. Personally, I really like its interface because for me it looks simple, very elegance and stylishness. The words of Blackle.com and the whole homepage are in black in color which make it look more exclusive and modishness.

Time
The second aspect that these two types of search engines differ from each other is from the aspect of its time or consistency. After doing some observation, I found that the LeapFish.com is more faster compared to Blackle.com in perform the searching task of the term that the user entered. Even though the LeapFish.com is faster than the Blackle.com, but the time differences is not conspicuous or obvious. The time for the Blackle.com to open the search web is not too slow, but it just late few seconds from the LeapFish.com. Frankly, I don’t really have problem with that because the differences is just small and for someone like me who can’t wait too long or impatient, I think is not something that will make me feel waiting or mad because the time to open the page for both type of search engines is quite fast.

Security & Privacy

Security & Privacy: Hacking into corporate networks and the spread of computer viruses has risen proportionally with the increase in Internet use. Some information is "shared" unexpectedly as email messages are forwarded to people you may not intend. Is there privacy in an online world? What kind of information is safe to share over the Internet?

In this virtual world, we are among the most intellect of internet users or netizen by spending hours every week online. We spend most of the time on shopping, banking, and getting up-to date with news. Besides that, we surfing the internet as the major source to homework problems, gaming, and socializing with peers. Social networking like web sites, blogs and instant messaging are very popular among the user and both pose some special privacy issues. Social networking sites such as MySpace, Friendster, Tagged, YouTube, and Facebook provide a place for us to get together online with existing and new friends.

Computer technology nowadays is sophisticated and so are online threats. Although there is privacy policies that will protect computer’s internet account, but intrusion still can happen and hacking into the system. So, it can be said that there is not much privacy in an online world. Every time when we connected to the internet or network and begin communicating with others, we are taking and exposed to a risk. Risk here from the aspect of the spreading of virus into the computer or hackers that may collect, copy, misuse and sell our personal information on something else without our knowledge. Therefore, we should be aware with what kind of information that should or shouldn’t be putting when we are networking.


Privacy statement is the most important part or tools that we can used so as to protect our privacy information when we are online. Basic security measures involve protection by well selected passwords, change of file permissions and back up of computer's data. Thus, it is recommended that we as the user to avoid ourselves from giving any information about ourselves to any website that did not provide or post any privacy statement that will protect our information from loss, misuse, or alteration.

Those information that can be used in social networking site, it is strongly reminded for not to provide personal information. Personal information are likes our real name, birthday, age, location, addresses, phone numbers and etc. Alongside, it is suggested that we just use and put our nickname and unimportant information in the website like hobbies, favorite movies and etc. Moreover, we also have to make sure for setting our page to private and limit access to invited friends only. When trying to come up with a secure password, don’t use things like our child’s name and birthday, or anything that could be easily guessed. It’s important to remember to not use the same password for everything. In addition, we have to keep away from internet strangers, no matter what they tell us because we don’t know who really they are.

As a conclusion, as a netizen should have the cautions or awareness on privacy and security online. Keep using social networking sites to connect with our friends and family in order to have or looking some fun because that’s what these sites are meant for. But do so in a way that is safe for everyone.

Podcast






HISTORY
Podcast was created by former MTV VJ Adam Curry, is a term that was devised as a crisp way to describe the technology used to push audio content from websites down to consumers of that content, who typically listen to it on their iPod or other audio player that supports mp3 at their convenience.

WHAT IS PODCAST
A podcast is a term to describe an audio or video file available on the Internet for you to listen to and watch. A podcast can also refer to a series of audio or video files which similar to TV or radio show the word “P” means portable, “O” for on, “D” for Demand because we can listen and watch where and when we want and lastly, “CAST” means file is sent out to you over the Internet, in the way a broadcast comes to you over the radio or TV airwaves.

WHAT CAN BE SEEN IN PODCAST
In podcast, we can see everything from homemade video or radio shows to big-budget productions. We also can found some advertisements for products we interested like cartoons, comedy, commercial or non-commercial advertisement and many more.

HOW TO USE PODCAST
Firstly, we have gone to podcast website which is www.podcast.com. Then, before we can use it, make sure that we have sign up for free to be a member of the website. After we have finished filled in all the requirements needs in the account, then we can start using it. We can download and watch the video or anything we interested in.

ABOUT PODCAST.COM
PODCAST.COM is a site dedicated to people who love podcasts. Podcast.com also makes organizing, sharing, viewing and listening to podcasts easier than the others make it. It is also give an opportunity for everyone making their own podcasts, whether short videos or long audio programs. Besides that, this website is owned by Treedia Labs, a digital media company in London.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
There are many advantages of using podcast. Firstly, the cost is free and there is no fee is charged. Secondly, podcasting can reach a new audience. People like to consume media differently, so including another media option could help you reach new audience. Unlike video podcasts, audio podcasts allow a listener to multi-task, so they could end up listening to you on the way to work on while they browse the web. Thirdly, it helps build a relationship with your listeners. Podcasts put a voice to your company/website and help you avoid being just another logo. Because podcasts are also opt-in, it means that only people who are interested in what you have to say will listen. Fourthly, it helps highlight your authority. This means it giving away useful information can highlight your expertise in your field and might make people more likely to trust you in future. You could also record seminars and conferences so that people who couldn’t make the event can listen. Furthermore, podcast also increase advertising potential. This means if your podcast becomes popular, you might even be able to start selling advertising slots. Lastly, podcast is also respond towards its customer feedback. You can use your podcast as a chance to address any customer concerns or feedback you’ve received. Besides that, podcast also have some disadvantages. The problem that always occurs when using podcast is that when the connection is low and the size are usually in large file where makes the process to download and loading the video takes a longer time.

CONCLUSION
As conclusion, podcast is a medium for everyone to watch and listen to video or music for free suit with the current technologies. Furthermore, podcast is easy for the user because the procedure is very simple and experienced valuable moments.

Why is e-Learning such a powerful tool? There are a number of reasons. E-Learning lets you

Eliminate wasted time and money.

With traditional training, the more people being trained and the more geographically dispersed they are, the greater the training costs. Often, the money isn’t even spent on the actual training; it goes toward airfare, lodging, meals and refreshments, conference room rental, and the like. With e-Learning, the cost stays the same whether you’re training 100 people or 1,000 people, and 100% of your training dollar actually goes toward training.


Condense training.
Traditional training attendees have to wade through a lot of “verbal garbage” – salutations and

introductions, irrelevant questions from participants, information about the location of restroom and

refreshments, “ums” and “ahs,” and a few rabbit chases. In fact, when we edit out all of the “verbal

garbage” and convert a full-day conference into multimedia format, we usually end up with only 3 or

4 hours of actual training. This means for a single 12-person class that last 2 days, a company could

be saving 120 man hours by putting the class online.

Make new hires productive How often are new hires burning time waiting for more instruction on their duties and responsibilities? Take advantage of day one by allowing them to train on all the basics. E-Learning allows you to easily prepare them for success.

Keep employees productive.
With e-Learning, employees can receive training anytime and anywhere, whether filling gaps between meetings, sitting at home tending to their sick child, waiting to board a plane, or even flying cross country. Training can happen during down-time instead of being forced when it is not conducive to productivity. For sales training this is especially important, every time you take a salesperson out of the field for training, you lose out on sales. E-Learning fits into everyone’s schedule and makes the most of everyone’s time.

Pick up the pace.
Some people pick up concepts faster than others, and a lot of people waste time sitting through training sessions that are either not applicable to them or covering subjects they have already mastered. E-Learning allows each person to learn at his or her own pace, and focus on what matters most to them

Improve Consistency & Effectiveness When the same training session using the same curriculum is offered on multiple occasions, the delivery will not be consistent. With e-Learning, you can be sure that all of your trainees are getting the same message every time the information is presented. This is helpful in legal situations where you have to prove what concepts were covered in your training.

Train EVERYONE.

What are the chances of getting every employee in your organization in a single room at the same time for a training session? Nearly impossible even when a training conference is effective, what about those individuals who could not attend? Bring the conference to EVERYONE by capturing it in a dynamic multimedia format. We have solutions that can quickly put all the important content online in a format that people can access from low or high bandwidth connections.

Evaluate learning retention.
E-Learning provides opportunities for measuring employee understanding and retention of key points. You can pre-test your audience easily to see what training is actually needed. Then you can follow up training with a post test that measures exactly what they have learned.

Address multi-lingual needs.
Left Brain Media’s e-Learning solution includes a closed captioning feature, which is a transcript of the audio track. This transcript can be in any language you need to support a bi-lingual audience. Of course, any material may be fully produced in multiple languages.

Provide risk-free simulations
On-the-job training is effective, but there are some areas where you don't want to have to make the mistake in order to learn from it. E-Learning simulations can help you train employees how to avoid common pitfalls by letting them learn from their mistakes in a virtual setting.