What is a Web Conferencing Environment?
A web conferencing environment can be used to connect two groups of people, not in the same physical place, to interact with each other via the Internet.

In order to create a web conferencing environment, the minimum requirements for both places to send and receive data are:

• a computer
• an Internet connection
• a telephone, or another audio device
• a PC with a microphone, a Webcam or digital video camera and a video capture card.

How does a Web Conference work?
All of the hardware mentioned above are required for a web conference to effectively work. The data collected from the camera and audio device are converted to digital data, which is then compressed so it can be quickly sent via the Internet. After the data is sent to its destination it is decompressed so that it can be seen and heard on the output devices, such as a computer monitor, television screen, speakers, etc.



How are Web Conferences used?
Web Conferences can be used by a variety of people.
People in the military take advantage of the use of web conferences in many different ways. For example, when a soldier is off at war, they can use web conferences to communicate with their families. Not only will the soldier be able to talk with their family, they will also be able to see them in real-time.
Schools have also started to use web conferences in their curriculum. Web conferences in the classroom allow students to broaden their knowledge outside of the ordinary classroom.
Businesses that have more than one location have started to opt towards using web conferences rather than gathering up their board of directors in one location.






Sources:
Information:
http://communication.howstuffworks.com/how-military-video-conferencing-works1.htm

Images:
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/videoconferencing-6.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/President_George_W._Bush_conduct_a_video_tele-conference_at_Offutt_Air_Force_Base.jpg