This chapter discusses synchronous communication technologies including Internet Relay Chat (IRC), instant messaging, video conferencing, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). IRC allows real-time text conversations in channels, while instant messaging focuses on one-on-one chats. Video conferencing lets people see and hear each other over the Internet using webcams and microphones. VoIP converts voice calls to digital signals to make phone calls over the Internet using software like Skype.

1. Chapter 10 Synchronous Communications

7. Internet Chat IRC channels Internet Relay Chat (IRC) Channel Listing

8. Internet Chat mIRC Options Dialog Box

9. Internet Chat mIRC Channel Window channel name number of participants topic channel operators text box for typing commands and chat chat area participant nicks

11. Internet Chat Internet Relay Chat (IRC) Channel Listing Web-based Chat Window IRC channels

15. Instant Messaging Windows Live Messenger Conversation Window conversation text entry area

16. Instant Messaging Windows Live Messenger Contact List online contact (green) contact list offline contact (red) Yahoo! Messenger Invitation Window

18. Instant Messaging online status options Windows Live Messenger Online Status Options

19. Instant Messaging Graphical Emoticon Selection in Windows Live Messenger

22. Instant Messaging e-Bay Instant Messaging Help Window

25. Vista Remote Assistance Requesting Remote Assistance from Windows Live Messenger

26. Vista Remote Assistance Remote Assistance

29. Video Conferencing Windows Live Messenger Video Conversation

32. Video Conferencing Start a Video Call Start a Video Call from the Main Messenger Window

33. Video Conferencing Start a Video Call Start a Video Call from the Current Conversation

37. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) VoIP Connection Methods

40. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) VoIP Service Provider Service Plan

44. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Skype Softphone Interface Skype Contact List