What is VOIP software? & Evaluate and compare 3 software for effective communication

What is VOIP software?

VOIP - VOIP is an acronym for Voice Over Internet Protocol. It is another way of making calls instead of using a phone. If reasonable internet quality is available it is cheaper to use VOIP than to use a standard phoned using a mobile network company. Therefore an advantage of VOIP is that is cheaper or even free. An advantage of VOIP is it's portability as you can make and receive calls for free anywhere that has internet connection. Also most VOIP companies provide features which most phone company will make you pay extra for when added to you're service plan, for example;

• Caller ID
• Call waiting
• call transfer
• repeat dial
• return call
• three-way calling  

A disadvantage to VOIP is not as many people have access to the internet or even a VOIP software compared to how many people have access to a mobile phone. Another disadvantage is that fact that some VOIP do not include the emergency services such as 999. VOIP needs power to run, no power means no phone whereas if you have a phone and you have no power within you're home you're phone will still be operational.

VOIP would be used in situations such as if a business is holding a conference they could use a software such as Skype to form a video call therefore face to face talk amongst one another and show ideas via a white board which they have only in the room they are in.
VOIP will also be used for personal use such as if someone was trying to get hold of there friend they could call them for free and even use video chat and have a conversation a disadvantage is that if you do not have a stable connection the chat may drop and be ended. Businesses mainly VOIPs to keep their telecommunication costs down to save money. The company Allstate insurance co. used a VOIP to deal with hurricane Katrina

Evaluate and compare 3 software for effective communication

Skype - Skype is a type of effective communication as you can easily and efficiently start a chat with someone whether it be video or just voice, it is a reliable service as a lot of large companies and small businesses use it to have work meeting and conferences. A disadvantage of Skype is that if you do not have a stable connection the quality of the video and chat will be at a poor standard.
E-mail - E-mail is a useful way to message others or to keep in touch with people, it is also a quick and easy way to pass over files such as PowerPoint presentations or word documents if they are needed in a work environment you are not currently at but someone else is. A disadvantage of E-mail is the fact that it can take some time for someone to reply to their E-mail as they may not check it regularly.
Facebook - Facebook is ok for general chat between friends as you can talk to more than one at the same time, disadvantages of Facebook is that you cannot speak to each other using voice only text another is that their video chat is very poor quality and hard to see what the camera is showing.

Skype would be the best form of effective communication as it involves instant messaging and also voice chat as the others don't. Skype and Facebook both have video chat but Skype's is far more superior in terms of quality and simplicity.

Evaluate Written Technologies

Race'n'Chase - Game Design

Good points

• The layout of the document is consistent and stays with the same font, size and spacing. There is a good use of headings and bullet points.

• Each page of the document is labelled appropriately with the page number, the date, title of the document and also which version of the document is being showing.

Bad Points

• The game design document for Race'n'Chase lacks pictures and makes the document more boring to read as it is just a wall of text.
• No colour and this is a important aspect as it catches the readers attention.
• Displayed badly as it is like it has been photocopied and is slanted.

Barrier & Solutions to Effective Communication

Physical Barriers

Barrier - My Physical barrier is the fact I get distracted fairly easy, whether its outside noise while I'm having a conversation or looking out a window and daydreaming.

Solution - Improve eye contact because this will help me from seeing things going on around me as I would be more focused on the other person.
Try harder to concentrate on work and stop looking out the windows of the classroom. If I stop looking out of windows I won't be distracted by things outside the classroom and will be more focused on my work.
By following these solutions I should be able to complete my work faster as there will be less distractions and also my work will be of a better standard as I will be more focused on my work and what my task is.

Barrier - Another one of my barriers is during presentations and pitches I begin to get a dry throat and often my mind goes blank.

solution - To solve this problem it would help to bring a bottle of water in to the presentation with me therefore if my throat begins to dry up I can drink a bit of water.
To help resolve the problem when my mind goes blank, I should read through my presentation and any other notes I have to make sure that I am fully comfortable with it. Another way to solve this problem would be to practice the presentation in front of others to make you even more certain that you are comfortable with the pitch or presentation.

Language Barriers

Barrier - My Language barrier is that my body language always portrays that either I'm not listening or I'm not interested but I am, its just what I find comfortable.

Solution - Start to think how I am sitting and portraying myself properly to the interviewer. If I am slouching during a job interview the employer will think that I'm not really interested in the job I am trying to get. They will also think that I am not listening to what they have to say therefore they will not be interested in employing me.

Mental-emotional Barriers 

barrier - I have a short temper therefore is difficult for me to stay calm, this is sometimes troubling in a work environment.

Solution - I get easily agitated therefore when I feel myself start getting annoying I should walk away from the situation get a drink of water and take deep breaths and wait till I have calmed down till I return to the situation.  

Effective Communication (P2)

General Communication

In the gaming industry I would like to be a games quality assurance tester this position requires a high level of skill towards communication not only written but also verbally as I will have to describe problems and also how they will be solved.

A key skill for general communication is using the correct use of subject terminology within you're speeches and conversations, this will give the audience and others a greater understanding of the point you are trying to put across.

 Interpersonal Skills

Problem solving is one of my skills as it is needed in a variety of different jobs for example I work in Burger King and receive constant complaints therefore is one skill that I have and can use effectively.
Another skill I possess is Teamwork as at burger king teamwork is a needed skill as you constantly need to work together to get tasks complete quickly and efficiently.
While working in burger king I must use positive language towards customers to make sure they enjoy their meal and approve of the customer service.

 Writing skills

Writing skills are required for a lot of job based around ICT as most jobs require written work such as games quality assurance you will need written pieces of work. Also written skills will help with things like writing a CV with will help you become more employable.

There are a number of different ways to communicate within writing such as E-mails,while communicating through text you must make sure grammar, punctuation and spelling is correct. Proof-reading can also be a very useful way of making sure what you have written is to a suitable standard and also that it is readable.

Personal Attributes valued by employers (P1)

In this section I will be explaining the specific attribute I currently posses and also those I need to gain in order to do the job I want to do.


Specific Attribute

Working in Burger King I have needed some training specific to the job such as, Health and Safety training to ensure the safety of myself, other colleagues and also the customers for example if a Customer has spilled a drink on the floor a caution cone must be placed as quickly as possible so that other are aware the floor is slippery and that it is a danger that customers and other staff should be aware of.

If I were to get the job as a Games Quality Assurance Tester I would need specific attribute such as, high-end communication verbally and written, for example when assessing a game I would have to explain what is good and what is bad without disheartening the team.

General Attribute

One of my main attributes is the fact I am determined therefore will keep pushing to finish my task given to me or to keep everyone working the hardest they can.
Another is that I'm calm in all conditions which means I will not panic during times of chaos and will maintain calm to solve the problem efficiently.
recently I pitched my game for my unit 40. This involved me creating my presentation and together with verbally pitching to an audience.
One of my strong points is my communication skills; written and verbally.
MY planning skills assisted me in order to gain a merit in my unit for example, I had to plan how long the pitching would take. We were given eight to ten minutes and I practiced over and over to achieve.
This I feel is attribute that will be valued by my future employers to ensure I meet deadlines and that I am successful employers value written communication as you are the face of their organisation.

Introduction - past, present and future - Aspirations

Past

Ever since I was at a young age I have always loved to play games and see how they work, when I was at school I started thinking about what my dream job would be. I decided that working in the games industry would be my dream, Once I got to secondary school I started looking into the different jobs within the games industry for example, Games developer or Games Quality Assurance tester. I have always been pushed more towards Games QA tester as it is something I find interesting and would be a job that I enjoy.


Present

Now I have started Gaming and computing level 3 in college I am starting to learn a greater understanding of the industry and making me want to get to this dream job even more and also being at college makes me feel as if I am moving closer to my goal. I am currently working in Burger King even though it is not a great I have been able to enhance certain skills such as teamwork, communication as all staff need to communicate to know what is happening in other parts of the restaurant.
Future

In the future I would love to be a Games Quality Assurance tester for a major company such as, EA or Activision, The job would therefore be something that I like doing and something that I am highly interested in, which means I will try hard to get to where I want to be and hope that my dream job comes true.