What Is Internet Telephony?

Internet telephony lets you make real-time voice, fax and even video calls over the Internet. Many small businesses are experimenting with Internet telephony, mainly because it can significantly reduce telecommunications costs.

You might also hear it called voice over IP (VoIP) or voice over the Internet (VoI). A somewhat synonymous term, IP telephony most commonly refers to voice calls routed over a private intranet or wide area network (WAN), as opposed to the public Internet.

Site Loads, But Features Don't Function Properly

Solutions:
The site may contain a Java applet , ActiveX control , JavaScript , or some other advanced feature that your browser cannot process. Make sure that: your browser is capable of using such features, and that these capabilities are activated (see your browser's "Preferences" or "Options" menu).

Download a newer version of your browser if necessary. Look under "Help" in your browser's menu bar to determine its version. For Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer, download Version 3 or higher if you have not already done so.

Your browser might require a plug-in (auxiliary file) to use a feature contained in the site. Most sites will provide a link for downloading the necessary plug-in; Microsoft Internet Explorer will attempt to download whatever plug-ins it needs automatically.

If you are on a slow connection (slower than 28.8 kbps), have a slow CPU , or if you are online at a particularly busy time, your system may have trouble downloading or processing the feature. Try again at a different time, or just be patient. If your computer has consistent problems processing Java or ActiveX, disable those capabilities.

Some "virtual memory" applications, which allow a computer to operate as though it has more RAM than it actually does, can interfere with browsers. If you use virtual memory software and experience frequent problems with your browser, remove the virtual memory software. If your computer needs more memory, upgrade it with actual RAM.

The site contains non-standard HTML or unusual scripting that is specific to a particular browser. Look for special instructions on the site concerning preferred browsers and plug-ins that enable other browsers to use the features. Many sites offer alternative (usually text-only) pages for users without certain capabilities.

The site contains code that is erroneous or corrupt. If you believe this to be the case, notify the Webmaster.

Cannot Access a Particular Web Site

Solutions:
Web sites are not permanent, and may change URL addresses or even close without notice. In such cases, hotlinks to affected sites are not always updated or deleted right away. If you receive an error message when attempting to access a particular site, try searching for a more up-to-date URL via a Web index.

Some access providers maintain their own archives (caches ) of Web sites in order to speed up access. Sometimes, this archiving process will inadvertently disable certain Web functions, making some pages difficult or impossible to access properly. Also, this archiving process can prevent you from loading the most current version of a page (a dilemma most noticeable when accessing news sites or other resources that change frequently).

Your access provider may maintain firewalls that prevent you from accessing certain Internet resources for security reasons. Contact your service provider if you believe this to be the case.
A Webmaster may establish bozo filters that block certain users from accessing Web pages. Some bozo filters are temporary, so wait a few days to see if it is removed. Otherwise, try contacting the Webmaster to see if there are other ways of accessing the site.

Some Web sites require registration before you can access them. Follow the registration procedure (which may require you to pay a fee before full access is granted).
Your access software may contain a monitoring application that blocks access to Internet resources considered inappropriate for children. Disable this application if necessary; if you need help, ask your service provider.

If the server containing the site is overloaded or "down," you will not be able to access the site. Try again later.

Incoming Calls Break Net Connection

Solutions:
If you have Call Waiting on the phone line that you're using to access the Net, incoming calls will interrupt your Net connection. Depending on how your connection software responds to such disruption, you might have to reboot your computer as a result. If incoming calls pose a problem for you:

Temporarily disable Call Waiting on your phone line by dialing *70 (some connection software can do this for you automatically). On an office line, dial "9" first. Call Waiting will automatically be restored when you disconnect. Exact procedures may differ by region and phone company; contact your phone company for details.
Switch to a phone line that does not have Call Waiting.
Permanently cancel the Call Waiting service on your phone line.

Accessing the Web and Other Resources Takes a Long Time

Solutions:
During particularly busy times, your Internet access provider—along with other servers and gateways on the Net—might slow down substantially. Some providers report that the hours 12 noon - 3 PM and 9 - 11 PM Eastern time are "prime time" because many users from all the North American time zones are online for fun as well as business. If you experience consistently slow performance within a specific time frame, try logging on at a different time (the early morning hours are typically the least busy).

If your modem speed is slower than 14.4 kbps , accessing the more elaborate graphics and other resources on the Web will be difficult, if not impossible. To enhance the speed at which your computer accesses information on the Net, replace your modem with a model that transmits data at 28.8 kbps or faster.

Some Internet access providers require that you dial into a special number in order to take advantage of higher speeds (namely 28.8 kbps). Double-check your connection settings to make sure you are dialing in to the number that will offer you the best performance.

Most Web browsers allow you to turn off the automatic downloading of graphics when accessing a Web site, thereby speeding access time. Although Web sites will not look as attractive when you choose this option, you will access the text and hotlinks (the "guts" of most sites!) much more quickly. And, you can always load the picture later on by clicking on your browser's RELOAD or REFRESH button, or by clicking on the blank placeholder of the page graphic (usually designated by a "?" or other icon).

Sites that rely on plug-in or helper applications , or that contain special features such as Java applets , usually take longer to load than less complex sites.

Can't Connect to the Internet Service Provider

Solutions:
Make sure your modem is switched on and connected to a live phone line. If necessary, refer to your modem's user manual.
Make sure your connection software is configured properly. If necessary, refer to the original setup instructions, or call your provider's customer service number.
You might be having trouble with your phone line. Before attempting a connection, make sure that all phones on the line are hung up, and check for a dial tone. If you encounter a problem with your line that you cannot resolve on your own, contact your phone company by dialing 611, a service available in most areas in the U.S. (on someone else's phone, of course).
You may experience problems if your modem is "connected" to your phone line by way of a radio-based phone extension. While adequate for voice communications, these extenders usually do not provide a connection that is clean enough (noise-free) for digital transmissions.
The problem might not be on your end, but might lie with the service provider. Often, if too many users are logged on to a provider's system, the provider will not permit additional connections. Also, the provider might be performing system maintenance (though most providers try to do such work during "off" hours to minimize disruption). If you believe this to be the case, try connecting again until you establish a connection, or try another "point of presence" phone number for your provider.

How Locating Internet Access Providers

If you already have Internet access but wish to learn about other access providers, go to TAG Online (http://www.tagsys.com/Provider/provider_search.html) or Mecklermedia's "The List" (http://www.thelist.com/), where you will be able to search databases of U.S. and international access providers by name, geographic location and area code.

If you do not already have Internet access, you can learn about Internet services that are available in your area by contacting your local library or telephone company for recommendations, or by consulting a local computer publication or computer store.
For information about international Internet access, see the section "The 'Net Around the World."

Simple Connection Options of Web Browser

Until recently, the two primary methods of accessing the Internet were through a network connection, allowing users of local area networks (LANs) to go online through their school or workplace systems, and dial-up connections through a modem and phone line. However, new connection options allow for greater speeds and flexibility, while keeping costs to a minimum.
The following are some of the newer connection options that you might want to investigate:
Cable Internet—These systems allow your computer to connect to the Internet through the same cable that carries your TV signal. Monthly service charges are usually not much more than standard modem connection costs, but you have to rent or purchase a "cable modem." Additionally, your computer will need an Ethernet card (a special circuit board that allows for network connections). Not all cable service operators offer this service; call your local operator for more information.

Satellite connections—DirecPC (http://www.direcpc.com/) allows you to download Internet files via a satellite connection. This is an efficient method for receiving large Web graphics and other items, but you still need a modem connection for other features. You must purchase the connection hardware as well as subscribe to the service.
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)—An ISDN line is a type of digital phone line that can transmit data many times faster than a conventional modem and phone line. To learn more about ISDN, go to http://www.isdn.ocn.com/index.shtml
Wireless connections—Pagers, cellular phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) now allow varying levels of Internet access, from notification of E-mail to limited Web connections. Many of these services remain in the experimental stage.

WebTV—Introduced in late 1996, WebTV (http://www.webtv.net/) provides Web and E-mail access through ordinary television sets. The connection is made through a custom high-speed modem. You must purchase a special set-top unit for your TV, plus subscribe to the connection service. Recently, similar systems by other manufacturers have appeared on the market to compete with WebTV.

The History of the Web

The first rumblings toward this concept began immediately after World War II, when scientists were desperately seeking ways to organize and share their accumulated wartime research. In 1945, noted scientist Vannevar Bush published an essay in Atlantic Monthly titled "As We May Think," which proposed a massive information index that people from all over the world could access and search. Although Bush's system was mechanical (and was never developed), his essay had a profound impact on many who would one day help design the Internet and the World Wide Web. For this reason, Vannevar Bush is often hailed as the theoretical father of the Web.

Given this background, the actual Web was originally conceived as a way for physicists to share their research data. In 1989, Tim Berners-Lee led a team at Switzerland's European Particle Physics Laboratory (CERN) in developing the initial World Wide Web standards. Key among these was the use of hypertext, or "hot" portions of an online document that, when selected, take the user to a related, or "linked," document. For instance, if a user was reading a Web document about dinosaurs and selected the hypertext word "Tyrannosaurus," he or she would go directly to a document dealing specifically with that species of dinosaur.

How Do People Use the Internet?

Obviously, the Internet can bring you a whole host of capabilities. But how can they be put to practical use?

Among the ways that users like yourself are taking advantage of the Internet are:
Sharing research and business data among colleagues and like-minded individuals.
Communicating with others and transmitting files via E-mail.
Requesting and providing assistance with problems and questions.
Marketing and publicizing products and services.

Gathering valuable feedback and suggestions from customers and business partners.
The Internet's potential is limited only by users' vision and creativity. And as the Internet grows, new and innovative uses will surely follow.

The History of the Internet

Many people think that the Internet is a recent innovation, when in fact the essence of it has been around for over a quarter century. The Internet began as ARPAnet, a U.S. Department of Defense project to create a nationwide computer network that would continue to function even if a large portion of it were destroyed in a nuclear war or natural disaster.

During the next two decades, the network that evolved was used primarily by academic institutions, scientists and the government for research and communications. The appeal of the Internet to these bodies was obvious, as it allowed disparate institutions to connect to each others' computing systems and databases, as well as share data via E-mail.

The nature of the Internet changed abruptly in 1992, when the U.S. government began pulling out of network management, and commercial entities offered Internet access to the general public for the first time. This change in focus marked the beginning of the Internet's astonishing expansion.

According to a survey conducted by CommerceNet and Nielsen Media Research in early 1997, nearly one out of every four Americans over the age of 16 is an Internet user. And the number of users worldwide is believed to be well into the tens of millions. Other statistics are equally startling:

A CNN report stated that Internet traffic in 1996 was 25 times what it was just two years earlier. The market research group IntelliQuest pegged the number of Internet users in the U.S. in late 1996 at 47 million - a 34 percent increase over the first quarter of that year. According to IBM, 146 countries currently have at least some level of Internet access. The technology research firm IDG estimates that by century's end, one billion people worldwide will have access to personal computers—more than doubling the computer-savvy population of 1996. The Internet explosion coincides with the advent of increasingly powerful yet reasonably priced personal computers with easy-to-use graphical operating systems. The result has been an attraction of recent computer "converts" to the network, and new possibilities for exploiting a wealth of multimedia capabilities.
For further details on the Internet's history, go to http://www.internetvalley.com/intval.html

How Does the Internet Work?

The Internet is a worldwide collection of computer networks, cooperating with each other to exchange data using a common software standard. Through telephone wires and satellite links, Internet users can share information in a variety of forms. The size, scope and design of the Internet allows users to:

connect easily through ordinary personal computers and local phone numbers;
exchange electronic mail (E-mail) with friends and colleagues with accounts on the Internet;
post information for others to access, and update it frequently;
access multimedia information that includes sound, photographic images and even video; and
access diverse perspectives from around the world.

An additional attribute of the Internet is that it lacks a central authority—in other words, there is no "Internet, Inc." that controls the Internet. Beyond the various governing boards that work to establish policies and standards, the Internet is bound by few rules and answers to no single organization.

In February 1996, President Clinton signed into law the Communications Decency Act, which provides criminal penalties for those who post or transmit "indecent" material via the Internet. This law, however, has been challenged in U.S. courts by those who feel it would unfairly prohibit many legitimate uses of the Internet, and was ruled unconstitutional in July 1996. The federal government, however, is preparing an appeal. For the latest status of the CDA, go to http://www.eff.org/ or http://www.fcc.gov/telecom.html.

What is communication system?

In telecommunication, a communications system is a collection of individual communications networks, transmission systems, relay stations, tributary stations, and data terminal equipment (DTE) usually capable of interconnection and interoperation to form an integrated whole.

The components of a communications system serve a common purpose, are technically compatible, use common procedures, respond to controls, and operate in unison.

Telecommunications is a method of communication (e.g., for sports broadcasting, mass media, journalism, etc.).