RealTime Communication on the Internet

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Real-Time Communication on the Internet

• Communicating in Real-Time and Exploring Wireless
  Networks

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What is Chat (1)?

• Chat general term for real-time communication
  that occurs over the Internet
  
• Text chat - originally involved the exchange of
  typed messages, but now involves the exchange of
  pictures, videos, sounds, data, and programs
  
• Voice chat participants speak to each other in
  real time (like a telephone)
  
• Video chat participants can see and speak to
  each other

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What is Chat (2)?

• Private chat between individuals who know each
  other and are invited to participate in the chat
  
  
• Public chat occurs in a public area (sometimes
  called a chat room)
  
• Lurking practice of reading messages and not
  contributing to the discussion
  
• Chat participants must type quickly, so many omit
  capitalization, ignore proper grammar and
  spelling, use emoticons, and use acronyms
  
• Chat participants frown on flaming (insulting or
  ridiculing another) and spamming (sending
  unsolicited and irrelevant messages)

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Commonly Used Chat Acronyms
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Internet Relay Chat (IRC)(1)

• First major multiuser chat program - modification
  of Talk (original program to send short text
  messages)
  
• First used by scientists academicians, then by
  businesses and news gathering organizations
  
• IRC uses a client-server network model
• Chat participants run IRC client software on
  their computers (inexpensive shareware programs)
  which connect with IRC servers

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Internet Relay Chat (IRC)(2)

• Many IRC networks operate independently of each
  other
  
• IRC traffic is segregated by network (only users
  of a particular network can chat with each
  other)
  
• After connecting to IRC server, user issues
  commands to join existing chat or create new one
  
• Chats are organized by topic, called channels

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Internet Relay Chat (IRC)(3)

• Channel operator person who creates new
  channel, also manages the channel when last
  participant leaves, the channel is closed
  
• IRC participants select nicknames when logging on
  to an IRC server (nickname preceded by_at_ symbol)
  
• IRC robots automated programs which perform
  routine services on the IRC network
  
• Potential Disadvantage public chat only

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Instant Messaging Software (IMS) (1)

• Easy, inexpensive way to chat with other Web
  users
  
• Users chat in real time over the Internet
  (personal, business, etc.)
  
• Usually occurs between two people who know each
  other, but can occur among a group of people
  
• Must download instant messaging software and must
  generally use that software to talk to others
  using the same software
  

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Instant Messaging Software (IMS) (2)

• More private than a public chat
• Some instant messaging software programs let you
  send files with your instant messages
  
• Can often use many different computer devices
  (cell phones, PDAs, etc.)
  
• May be able to log on to chat account using a Web
  page when away from computer

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How does IMS differ from E-mail?

• Using email, no way to determine if user is
  online at time message is sent
  
• Even if online, user might choose to respond
  immediately, delay in responding, or not read the
  email message
  
• IMS identifies when intended recipient is online
  before you send the message
  
• Recipient can choose to respond to instant
  message or send instant message that he will
  respond later
  
• Instant message occurs faster since there is no
  wait for e-mail programs to send and download
  messages

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Examples of Instant Messaging Software (1)

• ICQ offered as freeware by AOL
• Very popular, can use for text chats and phone
  services, to send e-mail messages, to exchange
  files and URLs with other users
  
• Can chat with groups of people to participate in
  group meetings or to play games

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Examples of Instant Messaging Software (2)

• AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) available to anyone
  on Web, even those without AOL accounts
  
• MSN Messenger (Windows Messenger in Windows XP)
• Yahoo! Messenger
• Trillian (Cerulean Studios) new type of IMS
  that lets users with different IMS talk to each
  other
  
• Many instant messaging software programs have
  similar features

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Web-Based Chat Sites (1)

• Offer same features as text-based IRC chat
  networks and instant messaging
  
• Easier to use does not require users to
  download and install any software
  
• Primary difference is the people you talk with
  (many times are public chat rooms)
  
• Some users lurk and others have multiple
  conversations going at the same time

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Web-Based Chat Sites (2)

• Most sites require you to register before using
  the Web chat pages
  
• Web has thousands of sites that sponsor chats on
  many different topics
  
• Use a directory that provides an organized list
  of chat site links
  
• Use Web search engine with chat in the query

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Creating a Chat Room

• Many businesses exist on the Internet that let
  you build and host a chat room, then invite
  certain individuals to join
  
• More serious, controlled, and professional
  atmosphere in which to conduct chats
  
• Bravenet.com (free)
• LifeSiteManager (fee)

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Virtual Communities

• A place on the Internet where people
• can gather to discuss issues and share
• information
• Online Social Networks
• Craigslist
• MySpace
• Online Business Networks
• LinkedIn
• Tribe.net
• Online Political Networks
• Meetup

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Wireless Networks

• Wired connection connecting to Internet using
  phone line, cable modem, DSL line, or network
  connection
  
• Wireless connection data is transferred without
  the use of any wires
  
• Number of wireless Internet users and access
  devices are expected to increase but there is
  not a single network standard on which to
  transmit information
• Care must be taken to select wireless device that
  will function where it is needed

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Evolution of Wireless Networks

• 1st generation analog cellular network (voice
  only) 9.6 Kbps (1978)
  
• 2nd generation digital network (voice short,
  text-only e-mail messages) 1.4 Kbps (1994)
  
• 2.5 generation digital network (voice email
  instant messages larger files e.g. pictures)
  144 to 384 Kbps (2001)
  
• 3rd generation digital network constant
  connections (voice email instant messages
  web pages play MP3 files watch videos) 2Mbps
  (2006)
• 3.5 generation 10 Mbps (2006/2007)
• 4th generation high quality audio and video 100
  Mbps (at least 2010 or later)
  

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Wireless Networks (1)

• Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) trademark name, of
  Wi-Fi alliance, that specifies the interface
  between a wireless client and a base station
  
• Wi-Fi Alliance not-for-profit organization that
  certifies interoperability of Wi-Fi products and
  promotes Wi-Fi as the standard of wireless local
  area networks
• Wireless LAN (WLAN) network where devices use
  high frequency radio waves instead of wires to
  communicate
  

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Wireless Networks (2)

• Wi-Fi uses same radio spectrum as cordless
• phones, garage door openers, microwave ovens
• Wireless device such as PDA
• Access point hardware device with one or more
  antennae that permits communication between wired
  and wireless networks
  
• Range physical distance between access point
  and wireless device (reduced by impediments
  (walls) and number of devices in same area using
  the same radio frequency)
• Transfer rate speed at which data is
  transmitted from an access point (or base
  station) to the wireless device
  

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Wireless Networks (3)

• Wi-Fi often is alternative in office building
  where wiring cannot be installed
  
• Becoming very common in homes
• Network connection possible within 200 feet of
  access point (depending on surrounding
  architecture and other obstacles)

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Personal Area Networking (1)

• Wireless network that connects personal devices
• to each other (e.g. between PDA and notebook
• computer between notebook computer and
• printer) Two major types
• Infrared Technology can wirelessly beam
  information from one device to another compatible
  device using infrared light waves
  
• Limitations devices must be compatible software
  must be compatible devices must be in direct
  line of site with each other
  

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Personal Area Networking (2)

• Bluetooth connects compatible devices using
  short-range radio waves (PCs, PDAs, wireless
  phones, headsets, printers, etc.)
  
• Most devices are made with Bluetooth chipsets or
  can purchase adapter
  
• Unlike WYLAN, Bluetooth does not need an access
  point devices communicate with each other
  automatically
  
• Bluetooth is not owned by anyone purpose is to
  advance its use and administer qualification
  program that fosters interoperability
  
• Can synchronize and share data among eight
  Bluetooth-compatible devices within about 30 feet
  (called piconet)

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Wireless Wide Area Networking

• WWAN access Internet from anywhere within the
  boundaries of the wireless network to which
  devices are connected

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Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access
(WiMAX)

• WiMAX uses standards for metropolitan area
  network (MAN), which provides broadband Internet
  access via radio signals with range up to 31
  miles
• A WiMAX tower connects to an ISP that provides
  Internet service
  
• The WiMAX towers are connected to each other via
  radio signals sending signals to homes and
  businesses that have WiMAX receivers