Skype

The major final technology which I think is ultimately going to be relatively hard to surpass is Skype. Skype takes connecting to a whole new level. It is video chatting through the internet. Now, not only can you talk to people anywhere over the world for free, but you can see them too. When one of my best friends got drafted to the New York Redbulls soccer team and I was devestated cause obviously he had to move to New York, but when my old laptop died and I got a new one, I got one with a camera in it and I can now talk and see him whenever I want along with alot of my family members who live in other states, and other friends who have moved away. It adds a whole new element of connection. Seeing someone makes you feel so much more connected. You can "exchange files and documents while conferencing" as well so if you have something you want someone to proof read, or a photo you want to share you can do so. You can participate in "public chats" to in order to communicate with anyone anywhere for fun. This is obviously only if you are comfortable and of course you must remain very careful if venturing into this area of skype. My friend has skype as well and she used it to talk to her friends while they were studying abroad overseas. It isn't even necessary to have a computer with a camera. You can buy webcams and microphones and convert any regular computer or lab top to a skype computer. It is just wonderful how close we can remain to people even when so far away

http://skype.software.informer.com/3.0/