Wikipedia.org defines video conferencing as "a set of interactive telecommunication technologies which allow 2 or more locations to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously. " (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/video_conferencing). In modern terminology, we call use the term web cameras. This is not new technology by any means. NASA was using something similar during its first manned space flights to communicate with their crew. UHF and VHF radio frequencies were used as primitive video conferencing between astronaut and command center. It was very expensive back then and very difficult to handle. Now days, video teleconferencing equipment it's relatively inexpensive, something most people can afford. It's also fairly portable and very easy to use. The web camera that I use as teleconferencing equipment, for instance, was purchased at a retail store for around eighty dollars and it fits nicely on top of the screen of my laptop computer. It's lightweight and portable and I can travel easily with it. This eighty-dollar piece of plastic on my computer is the most incredible and important computer accessory I have ever bought. It allows me to see my fiancée, who is oceans away from me fighting in the war, on a nightly basis. I am a big supporter of video teleconferencing equipment and how effective it is at bringing people together. The camera I have is true to life image, so my fiancée can see my blue eyes in good definition and even the dark circles under my blue eyes! He has a camera, too, so we chat each night and look at each other and it is almost like being there together. The Internet connection at his base isn't often reliable and doesn't always support web cameras, so often we just Yahoo's teleconferencing tools. Yahoo messenger now offers call service, which allows you to call another computer or another phone. We can have a conversation from eight miles apart and all we need are two computers and two sets of headphones. It's really remarkable technology. In fact, I have gotten all my friends hooked on video teleconferencing equipment. My eleven-year-old cousin loves it because when I move in a few months, she will still be able to see me and talk with me. My web camera will help me stay in contact with my family when I move to Texas shortly.

There are several brands on the shelf of video teleconferencing equipment one can buy. Buying the right camera isn't difficult; you just need to make sure that you buy one compatible with whatever messenger service you use. Mine for instance is compatible with Yahoo messenger software. I have tried several brands and have become a fan of Logitech and Creative products. The cameras are durable and the picture quality is outstanding.

It's amazing how far technology has come. When NASA was first using their primitive form of video teleconferencing equipment, it was basically an analog system, which was expensive, almost impractical and didn't come with modern bells and whistles. Now, people globally can keep in touch with a small, portable camera that can easily attach to their computer. The technology is also affordable and puts telecommunication power in the palm of your hand.