Cutting-edge information technology has long been the order of the day in business environments where companies look for a competitive advantage over their opposition.
Now this same technology is at the doorstep of every home, ready to be adopted by tech-conscious men and women, boys and girls who are wanting to improve their quality of life, safety, productivity and enjoyment a hundred fold.
3Com has developed its WebCam, which can capture both live video and snapshots on a PC.
"WebCams are popping up everywhere, allowing users to connect to friends, family and business associates. They are easy to use and hassle free," says 3Com technology consultant, Wolfgang Held.
"If you`ve got a WebCam, then everything you see can be captured, preserved and moved onto your computer. Add a full suite of film and image tools, and you`ve got a production studio in the privacy of your own home.
"Record and edit mini-videos, design killer Web graphics and other creative works of art. With the WebCam, you`ll be seeing the world in a whole new way," he says.
The camera can quickly be detached and reattached to a desktop or laptop computer, making it simple to send clear, high quality still and moving images over the Internet or the corporate intranet.
Video calls can be made at anytime, while video e-mails, or video snapshots can be sent or posted on a Web site.
The WebCam includes software for image capture, video conferencing, video chat, and WebCam applications.
Says a WebCam user : "When I started painting full time, my family and friends didn`t believe that was my real job. So I set up a WebCam in my studio. I downloaded the software and hooked up a 3Com WebCam.
"Now they can visit my site any time and see me painting, stretching canvases, or staring at the ceiling waiting for an idea.
"Plus, gallery owners can look in when they want to check out my latest work. That`s how I got my last commission!"
Convenient features such as USB hot-swap capability and detachable cabling provide more portability than fixed desktop alternatives.
"If you`ve got a WebCam on your desktop, then the next time you enter a chat room you`ll be seeing the future of the Web: a rich, multimedia experience with all of the expressiveness of a young child`s face.
"Whether its one-on-one or multi-party chat, you`ll be amazed at the new dimensions the WebCam will be bringing to your conversations," says Held.
"With the 3Com WebCam, there`s no fumbling with cables behind the computer - just unplug it and go. "There`s no substitute for being there, but the 3Com WebCam gets you pretty close. With a WebCam on your desktop, you`ll be able to say goodnight to your youngest son, even when you`re working late. Give Grandma a glimpse of the renovations you`ve made in the kitchen. With the WebCam, it`s easier than ever to make a connection to your loved ones, no matter how far away they are," he adds.
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