A friend of mine placed a Video Camera on top of his Computer and connected it to the Internet through some freely available Software. Since then I can actually see him on my screen whenever I contact him, as long as he leaves his camera on.

This kind of communication, actually a one on one audio-visual exchange, is much richer than a phone talk and permits additional two way transmission of video information like sketches, drawings, maps, photos etc.

The uses to which this newly available capability can be put are only limited by one’s imagination and dedication to solve specific problems.

Instead of sitting together in the same room, people convene in different places of their convenience under the eyes of watchful cameras and the ears of attentive microphones. Their distant partners, similarly served by suitable equipment, are watched on screens and their voices are heard through loudspeakers.

The interactive telecommunication technology that makes these exchanges possible via two-way video and audio cable or satellite transmissions, is completely transparent and does not interfere with the spontaneous behavior of the participants.

It should not come as a surprise that Video Conferencing is enjoying rapid diffusion and that its best advantages are being put to good use in many different fields of human activity like education, medicine, business, consulting etc.

Bringing a small crowd of selected people together, irrespective of their actual location, for coordinated common hearing and seeing, absorbing and commenting, learning and taking part, is a powerful way to permit the most important interactions to occur, without being physically in the same place.

It represents the conquest of a new dimension, like the gift of ubiquity, naturally unavailable to human beings.

It is a great way of convening committees to discuss matters and to take decisionswhile saving on transportation expenses and on travel time that can be employed instead for productive endeavors. It also avoids delays and dangers, real or feared.

Although the main application of this technology is not specific for Home Surveillance, it is an extension of equipment and technology already developed for those applications.

Although still limited to large organizations capable of profiting the most by installing and operating this recent technology, Video Conference is likely to spread to a wider public and to individuals that appreciate the immediacy and wholeness of interaction experience afforded by online audio-visual exchange.