Gone are the days when putting audio on your website consisted of subjecting your visitors to gaudy musical fanfares and various clichéd sound effects. Fortunately, audio has now become a lot more sophisticated and new techniques that allow audio to be streamed have made it possible to use your own voice as a highly effective marketing tool.

Most visitors to your website will have computers with audio capabilities. Using your own voice, you can deepen the impact of your sales message and develop a stronger connection with your visitors. Many websites using streaming audio to promote and sell services claim that audio increases their conversion by as much as 300%!

Why is audio such an effective marketing tool? It’s simple really. It’s a well-known fact in consumer psychology that the more senses you engage, the easier it is to communicate a message and motivate a sale. Senses evoke emotion and emotions are memorable. When it comes to surfing the Internet, the sense of hearing is far more powerful than the sense of sight. Internet surfers remember only 20% of what they read, but remember an amazing 70% of what they hear. Visitors respond to your voice in way that cannot be achieved with words alone, no matter how great your copy is. Audio’s power comes from its ability to reinforce your message by engaging your visitor’s most powerful senses.

Listed below are some of the most powerful ways to use streaming audio on your website:

Introductions: Use streaming audio to introduce yourself, your website and some of your key products or services to your visitors. Doing this removes some of the anonymity of the web experience and helps develop trust between your and your prospect.

Testimonials: It’s a proven fact that testimonials that include a photograph appear more credible to visitors that those with text only. Testimonials that include text, a photo AND an audio note are the next best thing to having satisfied customers call your visitors and tell them personally how great your products are!

Assurances: Placing audio notes at important points in your website, such as order forms, or payment links, is an excellent way to reassure visitors about common concerns. Streaming audio can be use to explain the payment process, security issues, merchant account details and any other concerns visitors may have relating to your website.

Instructions: Streaming audio buttons allow you to quickly provide instructions to visitors. A great example of this can be found at http://www.ezinearticles.com. An audio note that explains exactly what you must do to make a successful submission supports each step of the article submission process!

Tips: Over 80% of web surfers will click on link offering a tip? Why? Because they know a tip is a short piece of useful information. Reading a tip is not like reading an instruction manual. It’s a chance to gain some information quickly. Provide an audio tip on your site each day and you’ll find people just can’t get enough of pressing that play button!

Teleconferences and Seminars : Streaming audio is a great way to provide your visitors with playback on seminars and teleconferences.

Thanks You’s: Create a streaming audio message to send in emails every time a client or prospect buys your product or service. Acknowledging a purchase personally is a fantastic way to build up customer loyalty and boost repeat sales.

Finally, a brief word of caution! Audio is an effective tool when used responsibly. Don’t hit your visitors with audio as soon as they arrive at your site. You never know where people are accessing from or what other sound may be running on their computers. I’ve read about visitors being really annoyed by audio that played without invitation because they were listening to CD’s or were sitting in their workplace. It’s important that visitors have control over the audio. A simple invitation to click is all it takes. You’ll be surprised at how many people are driven by curiosity and will feel compelled to click the play button. Also take time to prepare your message well. Try to animate your voice and inject some personality into your message by being conversational rather than formal. Most important of all, be confident and be yourself!

This article may be reproduced in its entirety only if unaltered and the resource box is included.

Tracey Meagher is the founder of QuickandEasyAudio.com, a website that reviews all the latest resources and tools available for adding audio to your website. Visit http://www.quickandeasyaudio.com to receive free audio resources that will help you add audio to your website in less than 60 minutes!

So you finally have that new laptop you have been drooling over for the past 3 months, only there is one problem ?- You don’t have a case for it. You’ve probably already laid down over a grand for the notebook and you’re telling yourself that you don’t want to spend another $70 for a case. Trust me, this isn’t the time to be cheap.

In this article I will go over the importance of getting a quality notebook bag, as well as what sort of features are found on quality laptop cases.

If you consider your laptop to be important or essential, then getting a good, solid case is a must. You may be wondering why? Here are just a few reasons:

- Expensive notebook should be protected properly
- Quality cases have way better outer and inner protection for your laptop
- More comfortable
- Better shoulder protection

If you still need some prodding in the direction of that super duty case maybe the next points will help. Let’s go over what distinguishes the good from the bad in notebook bags.

Comfort ? Quality bags have much better shoulder support than cheapies. Your notebook is going to be at least 6 pounds, probably more. Do you really want to break your shoulder just carrying the thing around? You have a lot more choice with quality aftermarket cases as well when it comes to carrying style. In the end you are going to be a lot more comfortable with something that wears well on you.

Protection ? Make sure you don’t drop that notebook case that came with your computer ?- You may find your laptop in pieces. Quality laptop cases have great inner and outer protection. Things like reinforced corners on the outside, and air pockets on the inside? It all adds up to piece of mind. If you want, you can even find cases with single or double combo locks.

Storage ? If you want to put extra files or folders into your notebook case you are going to need the space. Quite often, cheaper cases will have just enough room for a notebook and maybe a small folder if you are lucky. When buying an aftermarket case you have a lot more choice in size, and can find something that will hold everything you need it to.

Are you ready to spend a little more money and get that quality case now? Good, but before you do, let’s go over a couple more things that are very important.

First, you need to think about what you will be carrying most of the time — Chances are it isn’t just your laptop. What you will be carrying will be a big part of what case you decide on. The more stuff you need to bring along in the bag, the bigger the bag needs to be.

Next, find out the dimensions of your notebook. You need to know this when buying a case. Not all laptops fit in every case, so you need to look for a case that will fit the size of your notebook. Whether you are buying a case locally or online, the main compartment size of the case should be easy enough to find.

Lastly, as you will soon find, there is more than one style of laptop case available. There are the standard cases, ones that look like actual luggage bags, and even backpack style cases. The last one has the added benefit that thieves won’t think there is a notebook sitting inside.

Going over exactly what you need in a laptop case, and then purchasing a quality one won’t just save your shoulders in time, but possibly your investment too.

*******************************************************
Cody Kahl is creator and writer of Toshiba Laptops Guide ? A site
dedicated to providing only the best toshiba laptop computers information.
Cody believes in quality, and this free resource proves it.
*******************************************************

Cell phones, the prepaid ones, are the great way to stay within your budget restraints. You will either make an adjustment to how many minutes the prepaid cellular covers, or discipline yourself to use less minutes.

Purchasing prepaid cell phones is made very simple, regardless of what their credit situation is. You can purchase a prepaid cell phone without a credit card, without any contract, and without any deposit required.

Cell phones are a great way to get connected even if you are far away. If you continue a regular schedule to purchase prepaid cellular service with a company, they will eventually approve you for regular monthly service.

Remember that prepaid cell phones do have a higher per-minute cost. A prepaid cellular is a great gift. You are giving a gift of a functional cellular that can be used right away instead of the hassle to activate and register before using. With this gift, the receiver has the choice of continuing with prepaid cell phone service once the airtime runs out or switching to a monthly service plan.

Cell phones have some sort of entertainment programs on most new digital, ranging from simple dice-throwing games to memory and logic puzzles. Whether you want to communicate regularly with your family and friends or the cellular phone is a valuable tool for your business, makes little difference to your choice of phones.

About The Author

Mike Yeager, Publisher - http://www.a1-cell-phones-4u.com/

mjy610@hotmail.com

Enhanced Definition Television ? also known as EDTV ? is one of the many modern viewing technologies of our time. Often confused with HDTV capability, this is actually a compromise between standard TV and HDTV. In fact, the visual benefits are at least twice that of standard television, since EDTV technology offers a minimum resolution of 480p when used on a monitor. As a result, you’ll find that this type of system is more expensive than standard television, yet cheaper than HDTV technology.

While there’s been a hew and a cry to purchase the more expensive ? and higher quality ? HDTV, there are actually some advantages to the "second best" EDTV version. First, there can be as much as a $1200 price difference between the two, and ? in some scenarios ? the viewing quality of EDTV is superior to that of its pricier counterpart. For instance, there’s only a 10% difference in quality when you’re viewing two plasma TVs that have been produced by the same manufacturer, but the EDTV soars above HDTV when the incoming picture has a lower resolution than the monitor’s regular resolution. This is because EDTV technology allows it to align better with the incoming signal.

If you have an extensive DVD collection, or simply prefer watching movies via DVD, then the EDTV will offer a better video experience. Why? Simply because the DVD, which offers a 480p picture matches perfectly with that of EDTV ? which is also 480p. That, in addition to the fact that most content isn’t high definition, but happens to have a pixel count that matches beautifully with the "lower quality" EDTV system, makes this a better buy. Higher contrast ratios are also better in the EDTV arena, which makes the viewing of darker scenes more superior. In fact, even high definition quality transmissions only suffer a 10% difference in quality between EDTV and HDTV ? yet, the price of the former is significantly less.

It’s a given that if you purchase a set that’s of lower quality, then even EDTV resolution will suffer. If you’re going to invest in a system that offers higher technology, then you should also be prepared to make the same decision when it comes to investing in the set which will receive the images. So, models that come from Sony, Pioneer or Panasonic will tend to offer a better video experience than that which comes from an inferior manufacturer.

The bottom line is that ? dollar for dollar ? buying an EDTV system is a smarter decision than purchasing the HDTV. When comparing price, difference in viewing quality and the ratio of programs that are actually offered to the general public in a high definition format, the EDTV wins, hands down. So, before you go out and spend about $1200 more than you need to, consider investing your hard-earned money into the EDTV technology. You’ll rarely notice the difference ? until you check your bank book, that is; then the difference will become obvious. After all, there’s always the possibility that the chasm between the two systems may increase in the future, but think of all of the money that you can save, in the meantime.

(c) 2005 Simon Canfield - All Rights Reserved

Simon Canfield is a hi-tech enthusiast and freelance author.

AllAboutHeadPhones.com BigScreenTVsecrets.com

Throughout the years there have been many technologies involved with notebooks, and laptop batteries are no different. There are actually three distinct notebook battery types on the market today. Knowing the difference between them will help you decide on exactly what to get when the time comes for a purchase.

In this article I will discuss the three different laptop battery types, as well as some of the advantages each one carries.

Nickel Cadmium ? NiCd batteries were actually the first rechargeable laptop batteries ever. Manufactures loved them because their cost was relatively low and they had a high output. You won’t find Nickel Cadmium batteries being used anymore, due to them being heavier and not as efficient as the newer laptop batteries.

Nickel Metal Hydride ? NiMH batteries can still be found all over the place — particularly for older model laptops. The rechargeable NiMH laptop battery was a big step up for notebook technology mostly in part because they were more reliable than the NiCd batteries, and they had an even higher output. The NiMH battery was also cheaper to produce, and safer to use.

The only issue with NiMH batteries is that they can have a memory effect. Basically, if you don’t fully discharge the battery, it can remember this and leave you with a less than perfect battery output.

Lithium Ion ? LiON batteries are now used in most new laptops. Unlike the NiMH battery, LiON laptop batteries have no memory effect. LiON batteries are also lighter than both NiCd and NiMH notebook batteries. Both of these advantages equal out to the Lithium Ion battery being the most popular and most expensive among the various notebook power sources.

You are probably wondering which type of battery to get. Getting a Lithium Ion battery would be the best solution, and if you have the money that is what I recommend. If you cannot afford a LiON battery or your notebook is not compatible with one, then getting a NiMH battery is the next best thing.

*******************************************************
Cody Kahl is creator and writer of Toshiba Laptops Guide ? A site
dedicated to providing only the best toshiba laptop battery information.
Cody believes in quality, and this free resource proves it.
*******************************************************

In the risk evaluation phase, there are a number of key areas that must be covered. One of the most important is to understand probable threats. In an ideal world, which most of us have noticed does not exist, we would identify and protect ourselves against all threats to ensure that our business continues to survive. Obviously, we are constrained by other factors such as budgets, time and priorities and need to apply cost benefit analysis to ensure we are protecting the most critical business functions.

A second important step is to identify all probable threats and prioritize them. Threats, typically, can be classified in several ways such as internal/external, man-made/natural, primary/secondary, accidental/intentional, controllable/not controllable, warning/no warning, frequency, duration, speed of onset etc. While classifying threats is helpful in terms of understanding their characteristics and potential controls, grouping and understanding by business impact is also important. Obviously, the same impact can result from a number of different threats.

Identifying mission critical business processes and systems is another fundamental building block of the business continuity plan. After your critical business processes and systems and probable threats are established, the next step is to identify vulnerabilities and loss potential. This requires an extensive scan of the organization to identify vulnerabilities and then analysis to understand those vulnerabilities which would have the greatest impact on your critical business processes and the organization. This starts to clarify and quantify potential losses, which helps to establish priorities.

Following the identification of the most probable threats and vulnerabilities, an analysis of existing controls is needed. This spans physical security as well as people, processes, data, communications and asset protection. Some controls such as physical security and data backup are obvious. Other controls required are often less obvious, but they can be identified through the risk evaluation process.

Once the key building blocks of critical business functions, most probable threats, vulnerabilities and controls are identified, the next stage is to develop an understanding of the probability of threats factored by the severity or impact of the threats. This leads to the business impact analysis phase which establishes priorities for protection.

The goal is to minimize threats, impacts and downtime and to mitigate any losses. Fundamentally, the goal is to protect your people, protect your data, protect your vital communications, protect your assets and to protect your brand and reputation. Overall, of course, the goal is to ensure your business continues to operate and to do it in a cost-effective way meeting standards of reasonable and prudent judgment.

About The Author

Robert Mahood has significant technology and management experience in data communications, internet, storage, disaster recovery and data recovery. He is currently the president of Midwest Data Recovery. www.midwestdatarecovery.com

bmahood@midwestdatarecovery.com, 312 907 2100 or 866 786 2595

I was shopping in the large superstore with my five-year-old daughter, perfectly unaware that in the next few minutes I would be living through every parent’s nightmare ? in an instant my child would disappear from my side. She had been looking through the little dresses right beside me and, when I called her to go try one on, she was no where to be found. I loudly called out her name, trying to keep the panic from my voice, as I frantically looked all around.

I rushed to the front of the store to inform security and the first thing he asked me was, "What was she wearing?" Wearing? What was she wearing? We had dressed quickly that morning, looking forward to a Saturday spent shopping for clothes she would soon wear to kindergarten. Next Tuesday would be her very first day of school. In my panic I couldn’t remember what I had pulled from her closet that day. Was it her blue shorts set?no, she had worn that yesterday. I simply couldn’t remember.

As I fought back the tears of an anguished parent, I saw my precious little girl walking toward me, holding the hand of an alert clerk who had found her wandering toward the back of the store. When I asked her why she had left me, she innocently explained that she had seen someone who looked like her grandmother and she had simply followed her.

As I hugged her through my tears, I noticed that she was wearing her purple checked shirt and green shorts, and that I had braided her hair that morning before we left home. In my fear over not being able to find her, I had forgotten all those little details about her appearance. And, even worse, I had left my large purse at home with my other wallet that held my latest picture of her.

Later, as my husband and I were discussing what had happened, he mentioned one of his customers had told him the last time he had taken his four children to the theme park, he had lined them all up at the entrance and taken each one’s picture with his wife’s cell phone camera. That way if one of them became lost, he could instantly show security his child’s picture, complete with the very clothes they were wearing at the time they disappeared.

The day of my ordeal, my camera-equipped cell phone had been in my bag around my waist the entire time. It had never once occurred to me to snap my child’s picture in the parking lot as we walked toward the large store. Honestly, I hadn’t used the camera feature that much, and had purchased the phone more for some other features than the fact that it could take a picture.

Camera cell phones were first introduced in the US about two years ago. Since then, their popularity has skyrocketed. Industry officials estimate that 12% of all cell phones sold in 2003 were equipped with a camera and that figure is steadily increasing. The camera cell phone may well be the most popular electronic device this holiday season.

Concerns over picture quality are diminishing rapidly as the digital electronics in cell phone cameras become more and more advanced. One and two megapixel models are readily available and, according to an independent study released this past summer, pictures from these tiny cameras make "significantly better" 4" x 6" prints than those from both digital and traditional film "one-time-use" cameras.

Convenience of obtaining prints from cell phone cameras is still something of an issue, as it may be difficult to print from the camera itself. But as more consumers purchase and use the digital devices, manufacturers will no doubt fill that need with inexpensive, convenient and high-quality printing options.

You would think that a camera in a mobile phone wouldn’t be much different than having a small, stand-alone digital camera. In reality, however, the phone is always at your side while the camera may not be. And, the photo can be immediately transferred to anyone with the click of a button.

Phones are being used to document accident scenes, take pictures of car license plates and even potential attackers. Just last month a Nashville man was accosted by a man with a knife, later identified as James Robert Baker, who demanded money. The victim snapped the assailant’s photo with his camera cell phone as the mugger made his escape. Police used the photos from the camera phone to broadcast an accurate description of Baker and his red GMC truck. A police officer stopped the truck and arrested Baker approximately 10 minutes later.

Camera phones are popular with small business owners who use them for any number of tasks that range from verifying that the correct repair part is ordered to documenting the satisfactory completion of a job. Real estate professionals can quickly inform prospective buyers of a hot property just on the market, insurance agents can speed accident and damage claims and contractors can quickly verify building details without leaving the construction site.

Recent developments in cell phone applications include using the camera as a bar code scanner enabling savvy shoppers to instantly download coupons, product information and perhaps even suggesting alternative locations where the item may be found at a better price.

Given the enormous popularity of camera phones, it is not surprising that there is even more exciting mobile technology on the horizon. Nokia has introduced a phone (Model 3650) that can take video clips as well as photos.

Since that incident with my daughter, it has become our morning ritual to snap a quick picture of her as we head out the door in the morning. I think she understands now that she is never to leave my side in a public place for any reason without permission, but children are apt to do the most unexpected things.

The next time you are shopping for a cell phone, you may wish to consider the many options available, and give an extra long look to the camera phone models. That camera cell phone that you thought was just a passing fad may be a much more practical purchase than you would have ever imagined.

Copyright © 2004 Best Cell Phone Plan

About The Author

Elizabeth Edwards is a successful freelance writer, providing consumers with tips and helpful advice when purchasing camera cell phones, family cell phone plans and motorola cell phone accessories. Some of her numerous informative articles can be found at http://www.best-cellular-phone-plan.com/

Selecting a TV isn’t as easy as it used to be in years gone by. Rather than going to the local department store and choosing a console that would take up a large portion of the living room, we now have other options. Along with those options comes the chore of locating, comparing and narrowing down a multitude of models to just the right one for your viewing needs.

First, of course, you’ll need to consider the size of the room which will house the unit. Since Big Screen TVs offer a much larger viewing scenario, the room needs to be able to accommodate whichever model you choose. For instance, you might like the idea of a 60" screen, but you might only have enough space to accommodate one that measures 42". Don’t make the mistake of purchasing one and then discovering that, as much as you thought you might be able to squeeze it into the room, it just won’t work.

Display type is another consideration when bringing such a system into your home. You’ll need to choose a glass tube or flat tube (the latter being the more expensive). For higher viewing quality, you’d be better off with the flat tube variety. Direct-views are smaller with a brighter picture and wider viewing angle than their larger rear-projection counterparts. If you prefer the rear-projection variety, however, they range in size from 40 to 82 inches diagonally. Those who like the idea of such a large picture ? and have the room to house such a unit ? will be happy with the 82" variety.

Next, you’ll have to decide whether you prefer SDTD (Standard Definition Television), EDTV (Enhanced Definition Television) or HDTV (High Definition TV). The STD is really nothing more than the usual type of television that has been in homes across America for years. The enhanced version is an upscale of that, but doesn’t quite offer the quality of the HDTV variety. HDTV offers high definition viewing, and is touted as being the best viewing experience that there is to offer to the general public.

Financial considerations are always on the horizon, and this will be one of the biggest factors that you’ll need to consider when determining which type of set to purchase. Although the EDTV and HDTV models carry weightier price tags, they also pay for themselves over the long run, if you consider how much money you’d be spending to go to the local cinema on a regular basis. If your budgetary constraints are so tight that you can’t even consider such an option, then you can still find standard televisions which utilize the big screen TV presentation.

The bottom line is that you’ll need to consider finances, available space in the room, type of viewing presentation, display capabilities and the reputation of the manufacturer. Manufacturers such as Sony, Pioneer and Panasonic are among the highest ranked manufacturers of TV and big screen TV systems in the current market. Others also have a strong reputation for quality, as well, so it’s simply going to be a matter of doing a bit of comparison shopping.

(c) 2005 Simon Canfield - All Rights Reserved

Simon Canfield is a hi-tech enthusiast and freelance author.

AllAboutHeadPhones.com BigScreenTVsecrets.com

For those who have never heard about the potential of VoIP, be prepared to radically change the way you think about your current long-distance calling plan. VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is very simply, a method for taking ordinary analog audio signals and turning them into digital signals that can be sent over the Internet.

So what? Well, for those of you who are already paying a monthly fee for an Internet connection, this means that you can use that same connection to place free long distance phone calls. This process works by using already available VoIP software to make phone calls over the Internet, essentially circumventing phone companies and their service charges.

Interestingly, VoIP is not an entirely new thing. In fact, a number of providing companies have been around for some time. But it has only been with the more recent explosion of high-speed internet access usage, that VoIP has gotten any attention. Now the major telephone carriers are setting up their own VoIP calling plans throughout the US, another testament to the potential of the technology.

How VoIP Is Used

While there are a number of ways that VoIP is currently being used, most individual callers fall into one of three categories: ATA, IP Phones, and Computer-to-Computer.

ATA or Analog Telephone Adaptor, is the most common way of using VoIP. This adaptor actually allows you to hook up the phone that is already in your house, to your computer, and then your Internet connection. What the ATA does, is turn the analog signals your phone sends out into digital signals that can be sent over the Internet. Setting up this system is quite simple. It simply requires that you order an ATA (its an adaptor remember), plug the cable from your phone which would normally go into the wall socket into the ATA, and then the ATA gets plugged into your computer, which is connected to the internet. Some ATAs include software that has to be installed on your computer before its ready, but basically it’s quite a simple process. Then you are ready to make some calls.

The next type of VoIP usage utilizes IP Phones instead of your home phone. The IP Phone looks just like a normal phone, with all the same buttons and cradle, the only difference is that instead of having a normal wall jack connector, it has an Ethernet connector. This means, that instead of plugging in your IP phone to the wall jack like you would with a regular analog phone, it gets plugged directly into your router.

This option allows you to circumvent your personal computer, and it also means that you will not have to install any software, because its all built in to the handset. In addition, the fact that Wi-Fi IP phones will soon be available, which will allow subscribing callers to make VoIP calls from any Wi-Fi hot spot, make this option an exciting possibility.

The simplest and cheapest way to use VoIP is through computer-to-computer calls. These calls are entirely free, meaning no calling plan whatsoever. The only thing you need, is the software which can be found for free on the internet, a good internet connection, a microphone, speakers, and a sound card. Except for your monthly internet service fee, there is literally no cost for making these calls, no matter how many you make.

For large companies, VoIP also offers some very unique possibilities. Some larger companies are already utilizing the technology by conducting all intra-office calls through a VoIP network. Because the quality of sound is comparable to and in some cases surpasses that of analog service, some international companies are using VoIP to route international calls through the branch of their company nearest the call’s destination and then completing it on an analog system. This allows them to pay local rates internationally and still utilize the same intra-office VoIP network that they would if they were calling someone in the next cubicle over.

Other Advantages of VoIP

While your current long-distance plan covers you for only one location, say calls made from your office, with VoIP, you can make a call anywhere that you can get a broadband connection. That is because all three methods above, unlike analog calls, send the call information via the Internet. This means you can make calls from home, on vacation, on business trips, and almost anywhere else. Anywhere you go, with VoIP you can bring your home phone along with you. In the same way, computer-to-computer connections mean that as long as you have your laptop and a connection, you’re ready to go.

There are also some nifty benefits to having your calls transmitted over the Internet. For example, some VoIP service providers allow you to check your voicemail via your e-mail, while others allow you to attach voice messages to your e-mails.

How VoIP Works

The current phone system relies on a reliable but largely inefficient method for connecting calls known as circuit switching. This technique, which has been used for over 100 years, means that when a call is made between two people a connection is maintained in both directions between callers for the duration of the call. This dual directional characteristic gives the system the name circuit.

If, for example, you made a 30-minute call the circuit would be continuously open, and thus used, between the two phones. Up until about 1960, this meant that every call had to have an actual dedicated wire connecting the two phones. Thus a long distance call cost so much, because you were paying for pieces of copper wire to be connected all the way from your phone to the destination phone, and for that connection to remain constant throughout the call.

Today, however, your analog call is converted after leaving your house to a digital signal, where your call can be combined with many others on a single fiber optic cable. While this system is certainly an improvement over the past copper wire system, it is still quite inefficient. This inefficiency is due in part to the fact that the telephone line can’t distinguish between useful talking and unneeded silences. For example, in a typical conversation while one person is talking the other person is listening.

Thus the current analog system uses roughly half its space sending useless messages like this silence. But there is also more information, even down to pauses in speech, which under a more efficient system can be effectively cut out rather than wasting the circuit space. This idea of only transmitting the noisy bits of a telephone call and saving a great deal on circuit space, is the basis of Packet-Switching, the alternative method to circuit switching that the VoIP phone system uses.

Packet-Switching is the same method that you use when you view a website. For example, as you read this website, your computer is not maintaining a constant connection to the site, but rather making connections to send and receive information only on an as needed basis (such as when you click on a link). Just as this system allows the transfer of information over the Internet to work so quickly, so also does it work in the VoIP system. While circuit switching maintains a constant and open connection, packet switching opens connections just long enough to send bits of data called packets from one computer to another.

This allows the network to send your call (in packets) along the least congested and cheapest lines available, while also keeping your computer or IP phone, free to send and receive messages and calls with other computers. This way of sending information, not to mention data compression, makes the amount of information which must be transmitted for every call at least 3-4 times less for VoIP than the exact same call in a conventional telephone system. For this reason, VoIP is so much cheaper than conventional calling plans.

The Future of VoIP

While most analysts believe it will be at least a decade before companies and telephone providers make the full switch to VoIP, the potential for the technology’s use today is already quite astounding. A report by the Forrester Research Group predicts that by the end of 2006, nearly 5 million U.S. households will be using VoIP phone service. With the savings and flexibility that the technology already offers, and new advances just ahead on the horizon, we can expect those numbers will only increase in the future.

Rich McIver is a contributing writer for VoIP Now: Voice over IP News ( http://www.voipnow.org ).

With all the wheeling and dealing that seems to take place on the internet at all times of the day, it can sometimes get confusing just trying to find your own deal. Finding the best price on your new laptop is most likely your highest priority at this point, but there are other important factors as well.

In this article I will discuss some of the best ways to ensure that you get the ultimate price on your new beauty, as well as a few other tidbits that shouldn’t be left out.

I don’t know about you, but I always love to first check out prices on eBay. In fact, this is what I recommend that you do also. Head on over to eBay and see what kinds of prices are listed for your specific notebook. I am assuming you are looking for a brand new laptop, so that is what you should look for on eBay. I like to look at the "buy it now" prices, of course making sure that the price listed is for a brand new machine. Alternatively you can look at auctions that are about to end. This method will usually give you a little better indication of what your specific notebook is going for on eBay.

eBay is good to look at first, mainly because they usually have the best prices. By finding out what you can get your laptop for on eBay, you will instantly have a lowball figure that others must beat.

So what now? I recommend going over to a couple price comparison sites such as shopping.com or pricegrabber.com. What these sites do is list a bunch of merchants that are selling the specific product that you are looking for. What is great about it is that a price is listed by each merchant, as well as customer reviews of the store (merchant).

A lot of these price comparison sites will even list the shipping price, and then calculate your total cost for whatever you want? It’s a win-win situation for you!

So now you are going to want to search for your specific notebook on a few price comparison sites. When the merchant listings come up, look for prices that are better than the ones you got from eBay. You will probably want to skip merchants with a bad rating, or at the most, go in and see why they are rated poorly. One more thing ?- Look at the shipping price? Sometimes you can get free shipping, or shipping at a much better rate than the auctions listed on eBay, which could steer the deal away from them.

Hopefully you have found an even better deal at one of the price comparison sites online. If you want, you can even go to some of the big name computer retailers and look at their prices, (even though many of them are listed on the price comparison sites). Sometimes you can find clearances though that will beat any of the prices you have found.

One other last point ?- Reliability is very important, especially with a purchase like this. For the eBay auctions you are going to want to look at the seller’s feedback rating, and on the price comparison sites you are going to want to look at the merchant’s customer ratings.

If you take the time to properly use the various resources that are available on the internet, you will find that getting a great deal on a new laptop is a lot easier than one might think.

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Cody Kahl is creator and writer of Toshiba Laptops Guide ? A site
dedicated to providing only the best toshiba laptops information.
Cody believes in quality, and this free resource proves it.
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