Technology Tip Number 69
Coming to a Computer Near You

When it comes to computers there's always something new coming out.  Here are a few acronyms you may have heard and some definitions of them:

V.O.I.P. - Voice Over Internet Protocol, this is what's making internet telephone possible.  Here is a more detailed explanation of how it works:  http://computer.howstuffworks.com/ip-telephony.htmBasically, just as email and instant messaging is used to send a text message, VOIP is used to send your voice over the internet in a phone conversation.  Some examples of VOIP services that could replace your current phone service at home are:  Vonage, Comcast Digital Voice, and for those of you who prefer to not pay for your computer phone service there's Skype (which also offers free video chatting) or you could just do a Google search for "free VOIP": 

H.D.T.V. - High Definition Television is the next big thing in TV technology.  Here is a more detailed explanation of how it works at: http://howstuffworks.com  "HDTV is high-resolution digital television (DTV) combined withDolby Digital surround sound(AC-3)."  It is a form of DTV or Digital Television.  In the U.S. all TV stations have switched over to transmitting a digital only signal since 2009.  In places like Great Britain the changeover has been underway for a while and in Australia the transition will be done gradually in 2013.  You can learn more about the world-wide progress of the digital transition here.

WiFi - stands for Wireless Fidelity and it is a form of wireless internet.  For a more detailed definition go here: http://www.techterms.com/definition/wifi  You may have noticed that WiFi is being offered for free in more and more places.  For example, if you have a handheld or laptop computer with WiFi you can access the internet for free at most Starbucks coffee shops and in many airports.  Here's a website that lists free WiFi locations all across the country:  WiFiFreeSpot.com

PRACTICE ACTIVITY:  Try using one of these acronyms in a sentence today.

TO KEEP ON LEARNING:  If you'd like to learn some more about these new technologies try searching the internet for:

V.O.I.P.
H.D.T.V.
WiFi Hotspots

Looking for Something?