The VoIP Guide - Part 2

Brought to you by ZIP Broadband, the premier Colorado Springs VoIP provider.

So if you have read Part 1 of Voice over IP is Here! you might be saying to yourself, "VoIP sound great! How does it apply to my business and what can it do for me?" If you aren't asking yourself this question you need to be! As I said in Part 1, Voice over IP is overtaking and will eventually be completely replacing traditional TDM communication. VoIP is here to stay and this is good thing.

Now I want to be careful in all my cheerleading of VoIP that I don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. In most business situations we need our traditional phone systems for a while longer. We are at that transitional time in technology where there is a need to have both or a least a way to use both. Before I get into all of the different options in equipment and capability, let's talk about how we can apply voice over IP in our businesses to help us do what we do better! We need to understand why VoIP is important and what it can do for us.

The problems and therefore the solutions in business have been the same since business began. How can I do what I do in a faster, more efficient manner while minimizing the costs and increasing revenue. What technology does, is give us newer and more innovative ways to answer those questions. VoIP is no different and it brings some novel and modern ways to address the issues.

At the heart of all business is the need to communicate with our customers. We use our telephones, cell phones, and email to do that everyday. However in the past we were stuck in our offices or somewhere we had a hard connection to our telephone system and service provider. Of course when cell phones came along we were set free! No longer did we have to remain trapped in our offices. We were free to leave and go conduct business where ever we needed to. However we still experienced a lack of the full abilities of the office. We still needed our computers so we could access data like our documents, email, and customer files. Around that same time the internet popped up and at present most of us can access our office computers and servers remotely with no problem. We are now fully mobile in most every way...except the next big way.

Right now, most of us, have to have our calls transferred out to our cell phones. We are still one step removed from our offices, possessing most of the technology we need but lacking seamless integration. Traditional telephone system have been limited because there had to be cable running from the system in the closet to the phone on your desk. That is where voice over IP enters in. With VoIP, wherever you can get high speed internet, your phone system at your office can find you. At home? No problem. You log in your phone at home and bingo, all of your office calls ring seamlessly at home. On a road trip in a hotel? Log your VoIP phone into your office from your hotel room. Pick up and make phone calls as if you are in your office. Intercom and transfer calls from your office phone system just like you are there. Long distance calls and your caller ID all are coming from your office no matter where you are. That's because with the internet there are no geographic boundaries. Plugging in while in Tokyo is the same as plugging at your house.

It can still be a struggle sometimes to think about how technology can be applied to our businesses, so think about this. Imagine you have a 24/7 phone support company. You can have agents logging in from home or remote offices across the world in different time zones as the earth is turning through it's day. As night closes certain offices, dawn opens others while your employees are logging in and out across the world to support your customers! Using myself as an example, I have a VoIP phone at my house. I can work from home and still be connected to the office as if I was there. I hear pages, pick up calls on hold, intercom co-workers, and even call other VoIP phones through the office system. Because my laptop is connected to my office network through my high speed internet as well, I am now fully setup with a virtual office. I could literally set up that very virtual office anywhere in the world!

Now let's take it another step forward. If you can be anywhere you need to be with VoIP, why have a phone system at all? There are companies out there, and Diverse CTI is one of them, that offer a hosted solution. This means that we will buy the phone system, pay for the dial tone, and the high speed internet connection and charge you a monthly cost. All you need is a high speed internet connection wherever you are. Log your VoIP phone in and bingo, you are up and running. You get a real phone number that rings to Diverse CTI's phone system. When that happens, our system knows it is your number and then rings your VoIP phones - wherever they are! You have voicemail, auto-attendant, and even hold music all without ever purchasing a phone system.

Seeing a vision of what Voice over IP can do and how it applies to your business is extremely important. Although I can't possibly talk about every different way VoIP can impact your business, at least now you have some basic understanding. Next in Part 3 I will talk more about what things to consider when you are implementing VoIP in your business.

Josh Cochran, RCDD
http://www.DiverseCTI.com

Bio: President of Diverse CTI, Josh Cochran has over 10 years of experience in telecommunications and IT services. An expert in the industry he is a Registered Communications Distribution Designer, a certification he has held with BICSI since 2004. Josh consults various national companies and speaks at several national events and conferences.

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Broadband Service

This article brought to you by Colorado Springs high speed internet service provider ZIP Broadband.

There are many inventions that changed the course of history. Internet is one such phenomenon which made substantial contribution to make human lives more productive. Today it has become an unavoidable system without which many of our activities will become standstill. Access to internet is an absolute necessity and a faster method for the same is an imperative in the present scenario. The early method for internet access is dial up system, which is a very slow process. Another problem with dial up system is that the telephone cannot be used while accessing internet. Heavy telephone bill is yet another handicap in the dial up system.

Internet access became faster and economical after the introduction of broad band connectivity. It is also known as high speed internet due to the high rate of data transmission achieved through it. Broadband is a very convenient method for those who use internet frequently as well as to those who use it for multimedia. Even though the consumers have to incur initial expenses to install the system, it is far more economical than conventional methods in the long run. By using a router subscribers can extend broadband connection to a number of computers in large houses or establishments.

Broadband service has become a highly competitive business in UK where there are several service providers in the field. They offer attractive terms to consumers for providing broadband service. Consumer can avail the benefits of a comprehensive package which include many benefits apart from broadband connection. A typical package includes equipment cost and monthly subscriptions for a stipulated period. Incentives are offered for those consumers who opt for long term contract. Digital television, home phone and free inland and international calls are a few benefits bestowed on them. But such gifts and incentive vary in the case of different agencies. There are incentives like download facilities. 2Mb speed with no restrictions about the hours of usage and up to 8Mb with unlimited usage are some of the offers in certain packages. Another typical offer is 40GB console to store photos, music and videos along with other incentives. Certain packages include wireless router at concession rates.

Coming to the availability of broadband services in UK, there are different types of services for consumers to choose from. Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is the most popular type. Faster download speed is ensured in this system. Upload speed will be slower than the download speed in the system. Another facility is the satellite connection which is expensive. Dish antenna will have to be installed. Even though satellite broadband connection allows high speed downloads, it is difficult to have upload facility. It may be possible to have two way connection facilitating uploads also, but the service is very expensive. Otherwise the consumers will have to depend on other faster methods. Because of this drawback the satellite broadband is not very popular among consumers. In the case of Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL) both uploads and downloads will have equal speeds. This system is cost effective. In wireless broadband system wireless router will be used instead of modem. There is also WiFi available which is widely used in public places like airports where conventional broadband through landlines are not available. WiFi is a very efficient and fast facility for transferring large data files. There are some other systems like cable based broadband and 3G mobile phones which are also in vogue in the country.

Find best broadband deals and check out special offers on unlimited, business and Mobile broadband at broadband suppliers website.

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iPod Repair Guide

This article brought to you by Podimus.com - the iPod broken screen repair experts.

One of the most important annoyances of owning any gadget is having it break down or freeze on you. Having your iPod freeze up and be non responsive is a nightmare that each music listener wants to avoid. Having your iPod mended comprises sending to Apple and playing for postage and fix services, this can very time intensive for the owner and it can take weeks to get your MP3 player back from the maker. To forestall all the hassle which includes sending your iPod away there are useful easy to follow iPod repair guide that can help you learn a way to fix problem that might occur.

Will I fix my iPod faster using a iPod repair manual?

Having a radical correct repair guide can save everyone a lot of frustration. This is obviously a better way of fixing your iPod, the other option contains sending your player to the manufacturer and sometimes waiting for weeks to receive it back. Using a DIY fix-it guide can solve the problems quickly.

Do I need to buy any special equipment?

If you suspect you must buy some tools for the job - don't fret, there is no need to get a soldiering iron.or screwdriver. The guide is straightforward enough to follow that even an amateur can fix a iPod.

Are iPod Repair Guides understandable and straightforward to use?

Any noob can employ an iPod correct manual and have it running in thirty minutes, max. The money and time spent fixing your iPod is unimaginable, you can even fix your chums players for a small fee too once you find out the way to do yourself. Also, you won't have the added trouble of losing any saved information of importance.

Visit iPod repair guide for more information on how to fix your iPod player. It will save you allot of headaches and time.

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Zune Cases

This article is brought to you by Podimus.com - the guys who can fix a zune in no time flat!

I want to spread a word about another famous Electronic device called Zune. It is a must have Gadget which gives you similar options of use like Ipod. Listen to your favourite FM stations or play your own favourite music on it. Synchronize Zune with PC and download different movies, music, games instantly. You have different versions of Zune 4GB, 8GB, 16GB and up to 40GB, 80GB and new one 120GB. One of the most famous accessory for your Zune is Zune Case which I want to talk more about it, because when buying one you must be careful on some basic things...

Why Zune Cases?

Zune Cases is a must have for your Zune Electronic Device, because if you are a traveling man or woman you must be careful on your Zune, it is sensitive device and it can broke pretty quick. Zune Cases cover your Zune and it protects it from various incidents or other things. You have different Zune Cases for each Zune from 4GB one to 120GB one, so when buying one be careful that it is specified for your Zune Device.

Which Zune Cases I can Buy?

You can buy from Leather Cases to Silicone Cases and even you find some good Cases if you are a sport guy or you want to have your Zune on different body spots.Leather Cases are my favourite. You can buy from a basic Leather case to kickstand one or wallet one. You have different Brands like Incipio and Belkin which are the most famous Brands for Leather Cases.

If you want to buy Silicone Case you have also a great collection to buy. One of the best are the Microsoft Style ones. They are light and they protect your Zune the best. Also you can buy colored one, have you got your favourite color? Then use your imagination in Zune Silicone Cases.

We can help you find the cheapest Zune Cases, the most useful ones and much more at our blog, check us at Zune Cases. Also we have made a great store with only the best and the cheapest Zune Cases which are sold from Amazon. See our Zune Store at this location: Zune Cases.

The Inner Workings of Broadband

Brought to you by the premier Colorado Springs high speed internet service provider.

These days, "broadband" is a word that is thrown around easily in telecommunications and internet lingo, but the average consumer may not have a clear understanding of how broadband works. It's easy to understand why; the technology industry even has trouble defining it clearly. So how does broadband work? The online Webster's dictionary defines broadband as "A class of communication channel capable of supporting a wide range of frequencies, typically from audio up to video frequencies. A broadband channel can carry multiple signals by dividing the total capacity into multiple, independent bandwidth channels, where each channel operates only on a specific range of frequencies." Let's take a look at each part of the definition to understand how broadband works.

The first part of answering the question 'how does broadband work' is to think about the phrase a "class of communication channel." We can gather from this that it is different from the normal class of communication channel that we use - our regular phone lines. Phone lines, also called baseband lines, normally carry 29.6kbps of analog data when used for voice communications. But with the advent of the internet, people began to demand faster data transmission. A regular, baseband phone line can carry up to 56kbps of data with the help of a high-speed modem, but without additional technology, that is its maximum capacity.

That wasn't nearly fast enough to keep up with the average person's demand for and dependency on the internet, which led to the demand for broadband. So how does broadband work? If you think of a baseband line as having one "channel" to send information, you can think of a broadband line as having multiple channels that you use at the same time. Not only that, but a broadband connection is capable of carrying a wider range and type of frequencies, meaning different types of data. And what it can carry, it carries faster. When you drive on the interstate, what happens when there aren't enough lanes for the number of cars on the road? Everyone is forced to go slower.

The same happens with the internet. Think of your connection to the internet as a tunnel that links your computer to the internet. A regular phone line can allow only a small amount of data to pass through at a time. In comparison, a broadband is a wider (or broader) tunnel, allowing a greater amount of information to pass through your connection at one time. The breadth of this tunnel is called "bandwidth." The more bandwidth you have, the faster you can move data. With broadband service, you can also download files that require a great deal of different types of frequencies as well, such as audio and video files.

This is a partial answer to the question 'how does broadband work,' but the other has to do with the way that broadband services can compress and transmit that data that you're sending. Go back to the cars on the interstate analogy. What if suddenly all of the cars could be miniaturized? What would that do to the traffic jam? Or if they could use all of the space available in the tunnel - above your head, between cars, etc. Broadband technology not only widens the channels you have, but it uses them more efficiently. Meaning you can get more out of the bandwidth that you have. Broadband makes your internet experience faster and more efficient overall.

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Website Design Tips

Webstore Solutions, a Colorado Springs website design firm.

In this article I want to talk to you about your site's look, feel, and professional image.

I came online for the first time nearly 14 years ago. I was floored, I was amazed, this "Internet thing" was the coolest thing in the world!

I didn't know how all those people had built all those web pages, but I knew I wanted to build my own.

Back then, finding information on how to build a site was nearly impossible. Most people had never even heard of the Internet, and hardly anyone had written any books on the subject.

Colleges weren't even teaching web design yet.

After much tedious searching (search engines weren't what they are now), I stumbled onto a place called Anglefire that let you build your own site and hosted it for free...it also taught you HOW to build a site. There were a few places around like this....Geocities, Tripod etc.

I spent several months learning to build my own web site. I learned how to upload graphics and make them appear on the page...I slowly learned very simple HTML.

I've programmed computers since I was about seven years old, so learning HTML was easier for me then it probably would be for your average computer user....but it was still very slow going!

I finally finished building my first web site and I was just about as proud as a person could be!

I had conquered this Internet thing...I had staked out my own little corner, I had made my mark!

And the web site? It looked.....TERRIBLE!

It was absolutely horrible looking...it served no purpose. It was just a little personal site that said "Welcome to my web site" and had a couple of funny animated pictures. It had a loud background, flashing blinking text...no layout plan....clashing colors. In short, it was very ugly.

I didn't care, I was really proud of it. I showed it to everyone. Heck, my mom thought it was great!

Shortly after that I started to look at the Internet as a business and I built my first business web site. It looked only slightly better than the first site I built. I didn't care, I was just as proud of it as I was the other.

Over the years I've seen the same metamorphosis with many of my consulting clients. They come online, they slowly start to learn how to build a web site, and they've generally gotten to the stage where their site looks slightly better than if a grade school kid had scribbled something with crayons.

But they're really proud of it. THEY made it...THEY went through the Herculean effort to learn HTML or learn how to use editing software of some sort. It's their baby....

I know EXACTLY how they feel.

But the problem is, their potential customers don't care about any of that. They only know that they've stumbled onto a web site that looks.....well.....not so good.

It only takes a person a couple of seconds to decide that a web site isn't professional, and click off of it.

We spend so much time, effort, and money on marketing and advertising to get a person to come to our site, it seems like a shame not to spend a few bucks to have a professional looking web site.

I know, if you're just starting out money may be tight. But this is really not something you want to skimp on.

I've got a pretty good solution for the money conscience person (hey, I'm one of you!).

What you do is this... Create your own web site....do the best you can.

Use frontpage or any of the hundreds of HTML editors. Then once the site is done, hire someone for two or three hours to go in and clean things up a bit.

You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars hiring a firm to build you a web site. Head over to your local community college and trek over to the art department and slap a paper on the bulletin board.

Design Work Wanted:

2-3 hours of web design work

$40 per hour.

Call 555-5555

Those kids are probably talented enough to give you pretty good quality work and it won't cost you much of anything.

We're talking $80-$100 for some design work from a local college kid to turn your web site into a professional looking site. A site that someone will be comfortable purchasing stuff from.

It's more than worth the investment! Think of it this way....you don't HAVE to have a professional looking site. But I guarantee your competition will....and given the choice, who do you think your customer would rather buy from?

Jason has been writing articles online for nearly 14 years. When not writing about internet marketing, he also runs a quality office supplies web site where he finds lots of deals on a wide variety of office supplies staples and other office accessories.

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Website Design Tips

Colorado Springs website design firm Webtore Solutions sponsored this article.

Website owners must have some basic knowledge about designing aspect of the websites. The website design tips will help to have a fair concept for creating the websites. Application of the knowledge will help them to make the site more functional for better impact on viewers. Importance of designing is crucial since the websites are created to be self supported to sell independently in absence of any other kind of on-the-spot support. The sites should have full information about the products and services, conditions and well laid out ordering process in easy steps for ordering. There are number of web hosting companies who launch websites on the internet.

Website design tips begin with suggesting selection of an inspiring domain name that clearly describes the nature of business entity. It should be able to standout and identify the product or services of a company. A good domain name provides great support in search operation on the net. The domain name helps to push a website on the internet with good listing rank in a search on the internet. Next consideration is given to the hosting of websites. A web hosting account should be made with a good hosting company. Good hosting companies have desired skills to setup websites efficiently on the internet to enjoy good ranking in search operations.

Website software tool is an essential part of the whole affair of web hosting. The website design tips can easily lay stress upon selection a good web hosting service provider for technical expertise. They provide dependable back up to the website on the net for its functional ability. The involvement of hosting service provider goes further in providing necessary software for effective management of the website. Effective management of websites is a crucial part of hosting on the internet. The site owners will have needs to often change the contents, edit, replace and update the products or services. This is necessary to always keep a site fresh without any elements of disputes and dissatisfaction of the customers. Obviously, the situation turns back to flexibility of designing to accommodate alterations with convenience. This factor is considered to be of extreme importance in website design tips and specifically cared by the professional web designers.

In view of basic objectives of websites to market the products or services on the internet, the website design tips suggest making simple designs. The website should be easy to understand and the process of business transaction should be easy for people to follow. It is easy for the customers to move to other sites quickly. The presentation should be able to hold the customers on the site with sufficient curiosity and interest. If the products are not described in very easy to understand way, a site will fail to attract the customers to spend more time with interest. Moreover, the websites must have their own distinct individuality to stimulate interest of the visitors to the site. Economic benefits count a lot. On internet, the customers can effortlessly compare the cost versus benefits of competing products. Hence the discounts, if offered, should be conspicuously displayed.

Dhruv Patel is an affiliate marketer. He is a happy DreamHost customer and recommends DreamHost to any body who wants to host a web site. He has created a site to help DreamHost customers. If you are not an existing customer of DreamHost and want to sign up with DreamHost, use dreamhost promo code to get a discount.

If you are an existing customer and have any issue with DreamHost account, simply contact him using the "Contact Us" link on his site and he will help you in solving your issue.

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Are You Secure?

This article brought to you by Colorado Springs home security provider ZIP Broadband.

Is your home really safe? Here is a short checklist for home security that focuses on the main things you need to look at to make your home less attractive to thieves. Keep in mind that burglars love easy targets, so you have to do whatever you can in your power to make your home seem undesirable to those who want to make some easy money.

The Checklist:

Every door frame has to be reinforced to prevent doors from breaking down with simple kicks.

Doors have to consist of metal or solid wood. Doors of hollow-core wood are very easy to get through and should merely be used for inside doors.

Window glass break detectors sound alarms if somebody attempts to force themselves into your house, scaring off any intruders.

Landscape your home more for visibility than for privacy. Even though human nature tells us to cut off from other people like street passersby and neighbors, it would be best to trim or completely get rid of shrubs and trees that could be turned into burglar hiding places and might shelter any actions from the street or house for optimum security.

Ensure that window and door hinges can only be found inside your house.

Outside doors and sliding doors need to have top quality deadbolts and cylinder locks.

Make use of locks when it comes to your storage sheds and garage, and keep any tools - most of all ladders which burglars could put to use to get to higher windows - out of sight.

Make use of lighting outdoors to keep your house entrances well-lit. If you get photosensitive lights, you can ensure that they will turn on automatically when it gets dark. If you want to conserve some energy, heat-sensing and motion-detecting lights will turn on when triggered. The point here is to get rid of any potential burglar hiding places.

Have an updated home inventory so that you can offer up any required information on missing things to your company of home insurance and the police if burglars do make it in.

If you are looking for home security and locksmith services in the areas of Aviara and Carmel Valley, Leading Locksmith can cater to your needs any time.

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Is Your ISP Slow?

This quick article is brought to you by ZIP Broadband, the premier Colorado Springs ISP.

Here is a common question that we get from broadband consumers.

Question:

Can third party speed test results be used as evidence in a dispute with my Internet Service Provider (ISP)?

Answer:

ISPs will generally not recognise any network testing tools other than their own.

However, ISPs would have a tough time defending your issues with "speed" if you can provide documented evidence from several different sources showing that you are receiving speeds below what you can show you were promised.

Your difficulty would be not so much proving what speed that you are actually getting but more proving what speed you have been promised (and paying for). In the UK broadband industry, the magical "up to" words are a universal legal get out clause for ISPs. Couple this with the very grey definitions of Service Level Agreements (SLA's) from most ISPs and you can start to get the picture that the odds are not stacked in your favour as a broadband customer.

As a broadband customer, your expectation of speed is set by the marketing media. Phrases such as "Up to 8meg" and "Fibre Optic Broadband" are commonly used by UK broadband providers to entice new customers. When new customers sign up, they can commonly and quickly become disappointed when their actual connection speeds fall way below what they were led to believe from the marketing blurb. In a study conducted in April 2008, we found that the average broadband speeds in the UK to be just 3.62 Meg which is less than half of the commonly used "up to 8 Meg" marketing phrase from numerous companies.

Inevitably, the obvious and consistent gaps between marketing lead promises and actual speeds delivered gives rise to disputes between ISPs and customers. With many customers being left disappointed with their broadband speeds and very little legal recourse to do anything about it, many consumers now see "fast" broadband with a certain degree of scepticism.

Ultimately, we believe that the "up to" clause is generally not good for the industry or consumer. At the moment, the only way for customers to get around speed disputes with their ISPs and get a better service is to shop around for providers that offer faster average speeds.

UK broadband customers might be interested to learn that we are working with one of the largest ISPs to provide them with ongoing results from our speed test. Interestingly, it would appear that ISPs themselves sometimes do not know themselves what speed they are actually delivering to customers.

http://www.broadband-help.com

-Weekly comparisons of broadband speeds -Save money and get a better service by switching broadband provider -Broadband provider reviews

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How High Speed is High Speed?

This article is sponsored by ZIP Broadband, the premier Colorado Springs high speed internet provider.

How often do you hear the terms High Speed Internet Access? It is in commercials, mailing ads, your phone bills and all over the internet. Everyone is promoting that they have the fastest internet and that you want their internet service.

High speed internet is all relative when you see those advertisements. This is a case that you want to look at the fine print or even sometimes it is the larger print, but you will want to pay closer attention than just the speed when making a decision on the service you are going to choose.

Each company can decide what they deem as high speed internet and it is always continuing to get faster and improve. It is important to look at the speed of internet that you need. Of course, we all want the fastest internet, but each company can offer different specials and offers in conjunction with the options of the fastest high speed internet.

Then there is the cost which can go along with the different offers. The opportunities for high speed internet are endless, but it is important to weigh out the cost and what you need your internet for. Now, you might be thinking you are set. You have internet in your home or business and were sure it was the fastest a year ago. You figure you are being watched out for and that of course the company you are with will make sure you upgrade as they become available. Don't count on that. It is important that you stay on top of your options and the current speed of your internet.

XO Communication specializes in providing quality High Speed Internet Access. Billings Farnsworth is a freelance writer.

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The VoIP Guide

This article brought to you by the Colorado Springs VoIP provider ZIP Broadband.

The two major ways that we communicate today are TDM and Voice over IP (VoIP). I won't get extremely technical other than to define the two types of systems in a general way. TDM is the traditional digital (sometimes analog) communication we have always had. In the past, it has utilized cables separate from the computer network which run out to each phone, device, or end point. VoIP stands for voice over IP and utilizes the Internet Protocol in a computer network to transmit the voice as data across your computer network and the public internet.

So far, you might have heard all that I have said previously before. You've heard hype and whisperings for years now and you are even seeing how VoIP is slowly creeping in and changing things. For instance, you might have had a chance to see or even use Skype, which is a free internet video chat and instant message application which uses VoIP. With Skype, you can put money in an account and even use your computer to make local and long distance calls. Other people can sign up for Skype and you can video chat and instant message with them for free anywhere in the world! Although Skype was one of the pioneers in being one of the first to come up with a useful way to use the internet for voice, it still hasn't found it's way into the commercial and business side in a strong way and this is what we have all been waiting for.

Let me tell you that Voice over IP is here! Several things have happened that have been key to help mature VoIP into a technology ready for us to use. First, the infrastructure needed to be developed and strengthened in a big way. That has happened. Early on, high speed internet was hard to get. You had to be in the right area to be eligible and then there might be only certain speeds you could qualify for. However, these days high speed internet has become fairly ubiquitous and easy to get. Also part of that strengthening and developing was the need for VoIP to become accepted as a viable way to transport voice communications. At first it was sort of a novelty, a $5.99 floppy you could buy, load on your computer and talk through your sound card. But this quickly grew into the Skypes of the world and now all telecommunications carriers run their national network backbones using VoIP.

The second key thing that has happened to mature VoIP has been the decision to use a certain standard. We needed a way to all speak the same language in our communications and that VoIP standard is called SIP. SIP stands for Session Initiated Protocol and really means nothing to the end-user other than that SIP gives us a standard way to communicate. If your system speaks SIP and my system speaks SIP then we know we can communicate. Now, as with all languages SIP is constantly being improved, but the important thing is that we can understand each other.

Finally, the last ingredient has been industry and consumer acceptance, which has happened in a big way. With any new technology there is always a disconnect that must be overcome, which is how does this affect me or help me do things better? In its infancy, VoIP struggled with this because the infrastructure we needed to use it didn't exist yet. And when it finally did, in the beginning it didn't work well because the infrastructure was weak and immature. But as with all solid and strong technologies, VoIP has emerged stronger than ever because of its amazing capabilities and potential and it is now on track to over take traditional communications system very quickly.

Well, I hope I have set the tone for VoIP. It's here and you need to know about it and what it can do. Stay tuned for part two where I will talk more about the powerful ways to apply voice over IP to your business and how it can help you do what you do - better!

Josh Cochran, RCDD
http://www.DiverseCTI.com

Bio: President of Diverse CTI, Josh Cochran has over 10 years of experience in telecommunications and IT services. An expert in the industry he is a Registered Communications Distribution Designer, a certification he has held with BICSI since 2004. Josh consults various national companies and speaks at several national events and conferences.

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An Easy to Understand VoIP Guide

This article brought to you by the Colorado Springs VoIP provider ZIP Broadband.

The two major ways that we communicate today are TDM and Voice over IP (VoIP). I won't get extremely technical other than to define the two types of systems in a general way. TDM is the traditional digital (sometimes analog) communication we have always had. In the past, it has utilized cables separate from the computer network which run out to each phone, device, or end point. VoIP stands for voice over IP and utilizes the Internet Protocol in a computer network to transmit the voice as data across your computer network and the public internet.

So far, you might have heard all that I have said previously before. You've heard hype and whisperings for years now and you are even seeing how VoIP is slowly creeping in and changing things. For instance, you might have had a chance to see or even use Skype, which is a free internet video chat and instant message application which uses VoIP. With Skype, you can put money in an account and even use your computer to make local and long distance calls. Other people can sign up for Skype and you can video chat and instant message with them for free anywhere in the world! Although Skype was one of the pioneers in being one of the first to come up with a useful way to use the internet for voice, it still hasn't found it's way into the commercial and business side in a strong way and this is what we have all been waiting for.

Let me tell you that Voice over IP is here! Several things have happened that have been key to help mature VoIP into a technology ready for us to use. First, the infrastructure needed to be developed and strengthened in a big way. That has happened. Early on, high speed internet was hard to get. You had to be in the right area to be eligible and then there might be only certain speeds you could qualify for. However, these days high speed internet has become fairly ubiquitous and easy to get. Also part of that strengthening and developing was the need for VoIP to become accepted as a viable way to transport voice communications. At first it was sort of a novelty, a $5.99 floppy you could buy, load on your computer and talk through your sound card. But this quickly grew into the Skypes of the world and now all telecommunications carriers run their national network backbones using VoIP.

The second key thing that has happened to mature VoIP has been the decision to use a certain standard. We needed a way to all speak the same language in our communications and that VoIP standard is called SIP. SIP stands for Session Initiated Protocol and really means nothing to the end-user other than that SIP gives us a standard way to communicate. If your system speaks SIP and my system speaks SIP then we know we can communicate. Now, as with all languages SIP is constantly being improved, but the important thing is that we can understand each other.

Finally, the last ingredient has been industry and consumer acceptance, which has happened in a big way. With any new technology there is always a disconnect that must be overcome, which is how does this affect me or help me do things better? In its infancy, VoIP struggled with this because the infrastructure we needed to use it didn't exist yet. And when it finally did, in the beginning it didn't work well because the infrastructure was weak and immature. But as with all solid and strong technologies, VoIP has emerged stronger than ever because of its amazing capabilities and potential and it is now on track to over take traditional communications system very quickly.

Well, I hope I have set the tone for VoIP. It's here and you need to know about it and what it can do. Stay tuned for part two where I will talk more about the powerful ways to apply voice over IP to your business and how it can help you do what you do - better!

Josh Cochran, RCDD
http://www.DiverseCTI.com

Bio: President of Diverse CTI, Josh Cochran has over 10 years of experience in telecommunications and IT services. An expert in the industry he is a Registered Communications Distribution Designer, a certification he has held with BICSI since 2004. Josh consults various national companies and speaks at several national events and conferences.

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How WiMax Can Help Your Business

Brought to you by Colorado Spring WiMax provider ZIP Broadband

One of the biggest mistakes that a contemporary businessperson can make is assuming that his or her industry does not require a knowledge of technology, especially recent advances. Especially as many industries become more globalized, the very act of keeping in touch with everyone working for a company can be a far more complicated than simply picking up a phone or sending a fax.

Staying pertinent in such a fast-shifting world means adopting the new technologies, but this can be difficult no matter how acquainted you are with the latest developments. After all, technology is expanding at such a rapid pace, that it can feel like a part-time job just trying to keep up with things. And it's even tougher if you are in a position of management, where it is absolutely essential to look the part of an in-the-know multitasker. The simple days of just having a laptop and taking advantage of wireless internet in your hotel's conference center are long gone, replaced with a world where it's obligatory to not just have a smart phone, but to use it to Skype, email, and also operate as a phone.

Instead of getting overwhelmed with all of the different developments and what that means for one's job, businesspeople can do something a lot simpler: they can try to adopt only when it appears that something is actually going to take off and have staying power. Most people who do an excellent job in business settings are actually already quite talented at this skill, as it is just the same as figuring out whether or not a regular product is going to do well in the marketplace. So while a phone with a video camera might appeal to teenagers, it's not going to have the same long-lasting effect on stockbrokers.

One development that businesspeople should definitely pay attention to is the new method of getting online from anywhere in the country thanks to the new WiMax technology. Instead of trying to frantically send texts from a BlackBerry to figure out if there are any changes to a presentation or crouching helplessly in a hotel room trying to pick up the wireless signal, getting online anywhere in the country is as simple as turning on a laptop or desktop computer. The way that this new version of the internet works is a lot like a cell phone, where towers carry signals and bounce them to customers all over the country. This network is a lot more secure than a simple wireless one in a cafe, meaning that the signal is going to be strong no matter where you are.

This is great news for business, since being online is crucial. It is now possible, thanks to the use of the fastest network around, 4G, for this new technology, to have your video conference from an airport, or to get in a last-minute change to an important presentation before heading out the door to work, even. Best of all, bringing this sort of technology to the attention of your superiors, no matter what your industry, shows just how plugged in you are. This development is definitely a keeper.

If you're an early adopter or just someone looking for a faster and better version of the internet, now is an excellent time to start with Clear Wireless. Best of all, clear access wireless makes it easy to get online, whether you're at home, the office, or even in the middle of nowhere.

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A VoIP Q&A

This article brought to you by ZIP Broadband, the premier Colorado Springs VoIP provider.

The technology of voice transmission on IP-network (Voice over IP, VoIP) is interesting for many. But what else, because almost every need inexpensive or even completely free calls around the world. Like any new technology, for VoIP there is a lot of questions. For many it remains a "white spot". In this article we will explain what is VoIP and answer the most frequently asked questions.

What is VoIP?

Speaking in simple language, VoIP - a technology that allows voice to negotiate via the Internet. Use VoIP to pay less for Your international calls. For example, a well-known system of Skype, offers calls from anywhere in the world to any other in the average price of just 2 cents per minute. Or many VoIP providers offer unlimited VoIP calling plans to US and Canada.

What is the difference between Device to phone from PC to Phone service?

In the case of device to phone You will use a VoIP telephone or a special adapter, connected to the Internet, but in the case of PC to phone, a special computer program running on a PC or laptop, and so, to make calls You need a computer and Internet access.

You can mak Unlimited free calls to India (PC to PC) using Skype.

Is it possible to use the equipment of a VoIP provider to work with others?

Most often it is impossible. Most VoIP-providers from around the world, such as Vonage, AT & T CallVantage and Verizon Voicewing, blocking equipment for use only in its own network. Some providers offer to lease their equipment.

Instead of VoIP, running on the PC, such as Skype and Yahoo Messenger, do not require any special hardware. Anyone can use any number of VoIP services from one computer.

What are the VoIP requirements?

For any VoIP requires a broadband connection to the Internet (Land line, ADSL, etc.), and the faster will be the channel, the better voice quality. Note that for one user to connect at speeds of 256 kbit/s for incoming flow, and 128 kbit/s for outgoing would be sufficient. If multiple users, the channel will expand.

Hardware Requirements are not so rigid, enough virtually any PC purchased in the last two years (or even older). Of course, the requirements may vary for different providers. Naturally, you need a sound input device (microphone) and output (headphones).

Traffic figures

Many VoIP providers are using the codec G.711 with a sampling of 20 milliseconds, while generating a stream of 64 kbps. Here adds headers IP, and the flow increases up to 71.6 kbps. If you connect to the Internet uses a technology Frame-Relay DSL (or cable modem), the flow increases up to 81.6 kbit / s, and if the ATM DSL (a popular option), the flow increases to 106 kbps. Note that this flow is in each direction, in order to hear and to speak (that is outgoing and the incoming stream to the Internet connection).

How Your ISP Means Success

This article brought to you by Colorado Springs high speed internet provider ZIP Broadband.

As a Web business owner, you probably realize the importance of your site's design and presentation. Your Internet business will not flourish all by itself. It takes hard work and dedication to build a great website. However, there's another important part of your online business that can be overlooked if you're not careful - your Internet Service Provider, or ISP. Your business may be losing money if you choose an Internet Service Provider that's not up to par in service or technology.

Time and Profits

You may ask, "What does my Internet Service Provider have to do with business profits?" For starters, your time is valuable. If you have to spend much time trying to get programs, images or software to load onto your computer, then you are actually wasting time. If you communicate often with instant messenger, a slow loading time can possibly result in losing a client!

Also, you are losing profits when your Internet Service Provider is not providing the best possible connection. To be profitable, your business must run smoothly. It should have as little downtime as possible. When you're down because of a poor Internet connection, your business is down as well. Can you afford to be out of work several times a day?

Remember, time wasted on a slow connection could be spent on promotions, customer service and improving your site or products.

Causes of Slow Internet Connections

A slow Internet connection could be caused by a number of things: older computers, slow dial-up connections, too many people online at once in a neighborhood or office, etc. Even if it costs a little more to sign on with a DSL high speed Internet service, it will be worth it. Here are two major benefits below.

Complete your Online Projects Sooner

With a dependable DSL connection, you'll be able to complete online projects sooner. Projects with deadlines are stressful enough without having to wait on slow connections or slow computers. It's great to be able to work without interruption. This is possible when choosing an Internet Service Provider that offers DSL services to fit your needs.

Combine your Internet Service Provider and Instant Messenger

Another way to save time and improve productivity is to choose an Internet Service Provider that offers combined services. You can have an Internet Service Provider and instant messenger all in one package. A high speed DSL connection with built-in instant messenger can help with customer communications and other online tasks because it all works together. Instead of working with several companies, you're only working with one.

Whether choosing just a DSL connection service or an Internet Service Provider and instant messenger combined package, you'll soon have more time than ever to work on your Internet business!

Microsoft Introduces Zunetti

This article is brought to you by Podimus.com, the Zune screen repair experts.

Microsoft, in its ceaseless quest to out hip Apple, has just introduced a music player of its own, called Zunetti.

In announcing the dazzling mini-innovation, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer highlighted the advantages of the new device over the iPod.

It's even thinner than the iPod Nano but a little longer - about the size of a strand of spaghetti.

But here's the big advantage that Ballmer emphasized. You don't just listen to it. You eat it. So the music really becomes part of you.

And, unlike the iPod, you can use it to share music with your friends. All you do is take a strand or so of Zunetti from your own plate and put it in your friend's plate. Then your friend eats it, and the music starts to play inside of both of you.

Due to concerns by record companies about copyright infringement, Microsoft has had to put a limit on the free music sharing. The Zunetti will only play the free download for three days after your friend ingests it, that is, just long enough for it to make its way through his or her system.

Microsoft cautions that you should choose your songs carefully. Because once you ingest some Zunetti, it will continue to play inside of your body for a very long time. To ease consumer concern over the longevity of play, the Zunetti comes equipped with, not only earphones, but earplugs.

Using the iPod to gain knowledge quickly and effectively!

Brought to you by Podimus.com - the experts who can fix a Zune or an iPod.

There is no doubt that the Apple iPod has become a common item amongst today's youth as a great music player. But is the iPod more than just a music player?

In fact, the iPod is more than a music player. It is also a great teaching and learning tool as well. And it is guaranteed to help you learn fast.

Audio Books

Besides music, the iPod also plays audio books. These are essentially books that has been converted into a audio format and saved as a MP3 file. From a technical angle, there is no difference in the file format between a music or a book and you can download and play the same audio book off your computer or your iPod.

This opens you to a whole library of 'books' for your iPod. These can include many great books found in public domains and downloaded for free. There are also many good commercial 'books' that you can purchase for a small price. These audio books are great as you can play them over and over again in the car, on the train or even on the plane. It's a good way to kill time and gain knowledge at the same time.

The best thing about audio books is that you do not need to read. Let the book read to you and this can be a great enhancement for learning while driving or while sitting in a shaky bus or train.

Podcasting

Have you also heard of podcasting? If you have not, these are simply audio files published by individuals or companies covering interest topics ranging from music, technology, current affairs, news, politics, cars, sales and marketing, electronics, fashion to many other interesting niche areas.

They then put up these audio files in certain podcast stations on the internet.

Most podcast are free and you can download and treat them just like audio books. Similarly, you can subscribe and organize these podcast on your computer iTunes and then synchronize them to your iPod. It's also a great way to gain knowledge while driving or taking transport to school or work.

What is gaining fast popularity today is video podcast. Video podcast are essentially video files that can be downloaded and again, it covers a great genre of subject. (As a matter of fact, I am learning about designing my own podcast by watching a video podcast of this subject.)

However, you can only watch a video podcast on your computer or on the latest iPod video model. All earlier models of iPod will not be capable of playing video. With the iPod video, you can also output the video signal to a normal TV and watch the entire podcast on TV as well.

What's more, you can watch them, stop them, rewind them or repeat these audio or video podcasts as often as you like. What better way to learn?

So who says that iPods are meant for music only?

Why the Apple iPod is King

Brought to you by the iPod and Zune screen repair experts at Podimus.com

The first mp3 Player was introduced in 1998 by Eiger Labs and was called the MPMan. It had a storage capacity of 32MB (about 10-20 songs) and sold for $69. Now it is not uncommon to find an mp3 player with 120GB of storage capacity (up to 30,000 songs) for $249. However, long gone are the days of using an mp3 player as, well, an mp3 player. Most mp3 players now serve as the "swiss-army knife" of electronics. They can play music, show photos, play videos and movies, connect to the internet, check email, and serve as a personal arcade.

When the words "mp3 player" are uttered, the first thought that comes into people's mind is "iPod". Why is this the case when there are several mp3 player manufacturers out there (Sony, Samsung and Creative Technologies to name a few)? Is it the creative television ads that seem to bombard us at least twice during a 30-minute episode of "The Office"? Is it the fact that these players come in several different colors to fit our mood? Is it the slick navigation and the ease of use? Or is it due to the fact that inside each of us, we are rooting for Apple, the underdog, who has pitted itself against the mighty Microsoft Corporation?

Whatever the reason, the fact is Apple has creative geniuses behind the marketing and development of these ever-changing devices. Each ad we see on TV gives us a sense that we have to have one of these devices... to be hip, to be cool, to actually have fun in life. Then you take a look at the actual devices themselves. They come in ultra small (iPod shuffle), ultra colorful (iPod nano) and ultra slick (iPod touch). The varying types of iPods makes it easy to please anyone from the occasional music listener with small pockets, to the frequent flyer who needs a device that can keep them occupied with music, movies and games during a three hour flight. There is literally an iPod for every lifestyle.

Don't forget the ease of use, the simple iTunes integration and the continual updates and new applications that ensure you are getting the most from your iPod. The realization is that Apple is leading the way in mp3 player development while all the other mp3 player manufacturers just seem to be a step behind. With prices ranging from $79 to $229, every budget is considered.

Not only are consumers jumping on the iPod bandwagon. Many companies have focused on developing iPod accessories for each model ranging from plug-and-play stereo systems, to sports bands, to iPod sleeves. These iPod accessories are becoming as hot a commodity as the iPod itself. Now the question isn't "which brand of mp3 player should I get?" but "what accessory can I get for my iPod?"

With the iPod being such a hot commodity, iPods and iPod accessories are readily available for purchase with more online stores showing up every day and with the iPods and iPod accessories being sold at "big box" stores like Walmart and Target.

As more people invest in iPods, there is an increasing demand for iPod repair services. For a few of the inexpensive iPod models (iPod shuffle for example), it doesn't make much sense to pay for iPod repair service. However, for the more expensive models, iPod repair can be a substantially cheaper alternative to buying a new iPod altogether.

For more information about iPod Accessories or Pod repair services, visit http://www.ipodrepair.com.

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Quick Review of MP3 Players

Brought to you by the experts who know how to fix a Zune: Podimus.com

Different types of MP3 players have their advantages and disadvantages to you as the user. In this article, I will tell you about flash memory MP3 players.

What flash memory MP3 players are, are just small MP3 players, they have maybe 128 MB or 256 MB of storage, they're extremely light, easy to put in your pocket, don't have any moving parts that cause the music to skip, and don't have any external storage systems attached to them (in case you didn't understand my fancy English here, what I mean is you don't have to insert CDs into those MP3 players for them to work.)

From my little description above, you can probably figure out who the flash memory MP3 player is good for. It is relatively small, even though it can actually hold dozens upon dozens of music files, it is very light and easy to carry, and it produces clear sound. You can just use it, whenever you want to listen to some music as you work, you can take it with you to school, you can take it when you go meet with your friends. If you have just a little bit of music that you want to carry around with you everywhere, and by "little bit" I mean less than 500 files, then this model of an MP3 player is great for you.

Whenever you choose an MP3 player for you to purchase, one of the first and most important questions you are going to have to answer is how you're going to use the player. Are you going to be using it professionally, or are you going to be using it for fun? Maybe, you're going to be using it to show off in front of your friends? Are you going to be using it for school? Whatever the answers to these questions are, you better answer them now. This is what will determine what type of an MP3 player you should get.

The MP3 player that we're talking about today, the flash memory MP3 player, is great for all of the above, provided that you don't have an incredible amount of music to carry around with you. Because of the fact that it is so small and easy to carry, it is not very hard on the batteries, so you can play the music constantly for about 20 to 30 hours before you have to recharge.

Gordon Chan writes about the facts about mp3 players at http://gordonchan.wordpress.com/

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