95. Videoconferencing: The Next Best Thing to Being There?

Yes, videoconferencing probably is the next best thing to being there, but that doesn't mean it's as effective or can be used without some serious planning (and a not-so-minor investment). While the promise of picturephones has never quite been fulfilled at a reasonable cost, videoconferencing is an emerging technology application that will further revolutionize and strengthen the telecommuting trend. It's probably also the tool that generates the highest degree of discomfort, primarily because of weaknesses inherent in affordable systems that exacerbate the anxieties people feel about using the technology.

Many people, if they're honest, aren't really comfortable in front of a regular ...

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