VoIp Phone Systems Selection

VoIP telephony has dominated the business voice communications market since the beginning of the new millennium. And while this new technology has brought a dazzling array of new functionality to the market, it has also brought significant challenges. Fortunately for San Francisco Bay Area organizations, Team One Solutions has decades of telephone system implementation expertise, and can help make the process of selecting a VoIP phone system appear to be easy.

Our phone system selection process starts with an analysis of the organization’s business process needs, and understanding how a correctly chosen system can help increase revenue and profitability. Depending on your needs, we will either recommend an on-premise IP PBX, or a hosted VoIP solution. If your organization has multiple locations, or anticipates growing into multiple locations, we carefully consider that in our recommendation.

Unified Communications and Unified Messaging

One of the key benefits of VoIP is the proliferation of Unified Communications (UC), which enables seamless communications and collaboration among employees, vendors, prospects, and customers. Not all capabilities of UC will make sense for all employees of an organization, so Team One Solutions works closely with your leadership to make sure we implement a customized mix of capabilities that enable the organization to meet its business goals. For example, some of the staff may be able to accelerate sales by implementing Unified Messaging, a component of UC, which integrates voicemail, email, fax, IM, and even video. Many departments may accelerate communications through the use of Presence, which indicates the status of an employee. We also find that some organizations benefit from video conferencing, which comes integrated with most of our recommended phone system recommendations.

Customer Service

Many organizations have Call Centers, sometimes called Contact Centers, that are responsible for sales or customer service. These customer-facing departments are often critical profitability drivers for an organization, and can range from fairly simple hunt groups to globally distributed teams with very tight CRM integration. Team One Solutions has a depth of experience in this important area, and can engineer and implement the right solution for your organization.

Mobility

The last ten years has brought an explosion of both mobile workers and telecommuting workers. While these trends have reduced real estate needs, lowered communications costs, and can contribute to employee satisfaction, it can be challenging to combine the right mix of technology, training, and support to maximize the value from these opportunities.  Team One Solutions provides the experience needed to help guide your organization.

Wi-Fi Capabilities

Finally, many organizations find it necessary to provide Wi-Fi capabilities throughout their facilities, either for their employees who need access to corporate resources, or for guests who need access to the internet, but who must be blocked from accessing company files. Team One Solutions can engineer and implement a robust wireless solution that meets your organization’s needs.

Once all these factors are taken into consideration, Team One Solutions will recommend a VoIP phone system solution from among its many trusted partners, including Avaya, Cisco, NEC, and  Zultys.

25. Give a short summary of the text above.

26. Imagine that you are working for the firm Team One Solutions. Prepare a presentation for your possible customers about VoIP phone system solutions.

UNIT 4

MEDIA

1.”Media”(the plural of medium) is a very broad term covering different areas and having different meanings. Match the terms below with their explanations.

1.Communication media A. media with hyperlinks

2. Broadcast media B. mass media focused on communicating news

3. Digital media C. communications that incorporate multiple forms of information content and processing

4. Electronic media D. all means of mass information and communication

5. Multimedia E. electronic media used to store, transmit, and receive digitized information

6. News media F. communications delivered over mass electronic communication networks

7. Hypermedia G. tools used to store and deliver information or data

8. Mass media H. communications delivered via electronic or electromechanical energy

2. Give definitions of different media forms using the following patterns.

“Hypermedia” is a term used to describe … .

Media with hyperlinks are called … .

3. Here are the words and word combinations you have to learn.

To focus on, to incorporate, to alter, to favor, to expand, advent.

4. Read and translate the text.

From the History of Media

In the last century, a revolution in telecommunications has greatly altered communication by providing new media for long distance communication. The first transatlantic two-way radio broadcast occurred in 1906 and led to common communication via analogue and digital media:

• Analog telecommunications include some radio systems, historical telephony systems, and historical TV broadcast.

• Digital telecommunications allow for computer-mediated communication, telegraphy and computer networks.

Modern communication media now allow for intense long-distance exchanges between larger numbers of people (many-to-many communication via e-mail or Internet forums). On the other hand, many traditional broadcast media and mass media favor one-to-many communication (television, radio, cinema, or social nets).

Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and/or video content to a dispersed audience via any electronic mass communications medium, but typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves), in a one-to-many model. Broadcasting began with AM radio broadcasting which sprang up spontaneously around 1920. Before this, all forms of electronic communication, radio, telephone, and telegraph, were "one-to-one", with the message intended for a single recipient.

Historically, there have been several methods used for broadcasting electronic media audio and/or video to the general public.

Telephone broadcasting (1881–1932) was the earliest form of electronic broadcasting, data services offered by stock telegraph companies from 1867 not counting. Telephone broadcasting began with the advent of "Theatre Phone" systems, which were telephone-based distribution systems allowing subscribers to listen to live opera and theatre performances over telephone lines in 1881. Telephone broadcasting also grew to include telephone newspaper services for news and entertainment programming which were introduced in the 1890s, primarily located in large European cities. These telephone-based subscription services were the first examples of electrical/electronic broadcasting and offered a wide variety of programming.

Radio broadcasting was experimentally used from 1906, commercially from 1920. Audio signals are sent through the air as radio waves from a transmitter, picked up by an antenna and sent to a receiver. Radio stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast common radio programs, either in broadcast syndication, simulcast or sub channels.

Television broadcasting (telecast) was experimentally delivered from 1925, commercially from the 1930s, an extension of radio including video signals.

Cable radio, also called "cable FM", (from 1928) and cable television (from 1932) both used coaxial cable, originally serving principally as transmission media for programming produced at either radio or television stations, but later expanding into a broad universe of cable-originated channels.

Direct-broadcast satellite (DBS) exists from circa 1974, and satellite radio from circa 1990. They are meant for direct-to-home broadcast programming (as opposed to studio network uplinks and downlinks), provide a mix of traditional radio or television broadcast programming, or both, with dedicated satellite radio programming. Satellite television is very popular nowadays.

Webcasting of video/television (from circa 1993) and audio/radio (from circa 1994) streams offers a mix of traditional radio and television station broadcast programming with dedicated internet radio.

5. True, false or no information.

1. Digital telecommunications include some radio systems, historical telephony systems, and historical TV broadcast.

2. Cable radio and cable television both used coaxial cable.

3. Broadcasting began with FM radio broadcasting.

4. Satellite radio exists from 1990.

5. Electronic media used to store, transmit, and receive digitized information are called digital media.

6. Marconi and Popov both contributed to radio broadcasting.

7. TV and radio are examples of one-to-many communication.

5. Answer the questions.

1. What is the difference between analog and digital communication?

2. How is communication via e-mail or Internet forums called in the text?

3. What kind of communication is usual for traditional media?

4. What is the earliest form of electronic broadcasting?

5. In what way could subscribers listen to live opera and theatre performances in 1881?

6. What is the process of radio broadcasting?

7. What were cable radio and television originally used for?

8. What devices are used for direct-to-home broadcast programming?

7. Make up a sentence using the words and phrases. Translate.

1. Are, a transmitter, waves, from, sent, radio. 2. Be, common, linked, to broadcast, programs, can, radio, radio station, in networks. 2. 3. Broadcasting, type, was, of, the first, telephone, electronic broadcasting. 4. There, for broadcasting, some, that, media, have, methods, are, traditionally, been, used, electronic. 5. By, are, received, signals, television, an antenna.

8. Find English equivalents.

Распределять видео контент, быть самой первой формой радиовещания, передавать с помощью передатчика, принимать с помощью приемника, предлагать большое разнообразие программ, наслаждаться развлекательными программами, использовать электронные средства массовой информации, предпочитать телевизионное вещание, удалить ненужную информацию, выделять полезную информацию, связывать в радиосети, включить видеосигналы, существовать с 1990 годов, заменить кабельным телевидением, установить оптоволоконную связь, починить телефонную линию, увеличить число каналов, предоставлять смесь традиционных радиовещательных программ.

9. Translate into English.

1. Существуют различные мнения о термине „Media”. 2. Изобретение радио в значительной степени изменило нашу жизнь. 3. Именно А.С. Попов изобрел радиопередатчик. 4. Первой формой электронного вещания была телефония. 5. Появление телевидения повлияло на наш стиль жизни. 6. Аналоговое вещание заменяется цифровым. 6. Подписчики могут слушать вживую оперу и театральные постановки. 7. Развлекательные программы начали передаваться с девяностых годов 19 столетия. 8. Качество средств массовой информации постоянно улучшается. 9. Некоторые люди не могут представить себе жизнь без спутникового телевидения. 10. Интернет особенно популярен среди молодежи. 11. К сожалению, студенты не уделяют особого внимания таким средствам массовой информации, как газеты и радиовещание.

10. Give synonyms.

To incorporate, to deliver, to describe, to begin, to alter, to remove, to occur.

11. Replace the infinitives in brackets by the correct form of Participle.

1. (to impress) by programmer`s work, the client extended her contract for a year. 2. (to be unemployed), Dave had time to consider what job he really wanted. 3. (to sink) deeper and deeper into details the student could not accomplish his course work. 4. (to paint) in dark colors, the room needed some bright lights.5. (to be) a System Security Administrator for 14 years, Barbara knew how to keep the firm`s computer system safe.

12. Underline the Nominative Absolute Participial Construction. Translate into Russian.

1. Her proposal having been accepted, she took her seat. 2. Nobody having anything more to say, the meeting was closed. 3. The crisis having passed, they could think about the future. 4. It being a scientific matter, we had to call in specialists. 5. The work at the project having been finished, the documents were sent tom the client. 6. The preparations being completed, the process of the new program implementation was initiated. 7. The contract quantity was 5,000 tons, the sellers having an option to deliver 2 per cent more or less.

13. Make up your own sentences with these words.

Prepare-preparation-preparing-having been prepared-while preparing

Explain-explanation-explained-explaining-being explained

Reduce-reduction-reducing-being reduced-reduced

14. Open the brackets, putting the words in correct form. Translate.

1. This article (to be) about different types of media. 2. This paper (to deal with)

new media for long distance communication. 3. The main idea of this paper is (to tell) us about the history of media. 4. The author (to give) us different definitions of different media forms. 5. The paper (to point out) that historically, there have been several methods used for broadcasting electronic media audio and/or video to the general public. 6. (There be) some parts in this text. 7. I (to believe) the most interesting part is the second one. 8. First of all I would like (to underline), the fiber optic connection is of great interest today. 9. Much attention (to give) to the Radio and Television broadcasting. 10. In the text there are statements that I (to disagree with). 11. I can (to give) arguments for or against the statement: «Satellite television is very popular nowadays». 12. The paper (to claim) that Radio broadcasting was experimentally used from 1906. 13. The paper also (to cover) such points as Telephone broadcasting and cable Radio.14. The advantage of this kind of media will (to be discussed) later. 15. In conclusion I want to say that this article (to be of interest) for students. 16. I will try (to use) this knowledge in my future job. 17. Summing up, I would like (to emphasize) that these devices are (to use) in our university. 18. To all this must (to add) that this knowledge is very useful for me. 19. As for me, I can say this article (to be) very interesting. 20. In my opinion/to my mind/from my point of view I (to get) a lot of information from this paper.

15. Translate into English.

1. Эта статья рассматривает вопросы телевещания. 2. Публикация состоит из нескольких разделов. 3. Первая часть – введение. 4. Автор рассказывает нам об истории вопроса. 5. C моей точки зрения, основные разделы публикации – второй и третий. 6. Во второй части исследователь объясняет нам, как функционирует радиовещание. 7. Он упоминает основные характеристики некоторых телевизионных передатчиков. 8. В третьем параграфе ученый описывает преимущества и недостатки телевещания. 9. Автор рассказывает нам о преимуществах телевещания по сравнению с радиовещанием. 10. Он полагает, что телевещание играет огромную роль в нашей жизни. 11. Я разделяю это мнение. 12. Телевидение используется во многих областях человеческой жизни. 13. Исследователь дает нам примеры использования телевещания. 14. Я хотел бы добавить, что телевещание используется и в нашем университете. 15. Я хотел бы подчеркнуть, что в настоящее время мы наблюдаем тенденцию слияния телевидения и интернета. 16. Следует добавить, что телевидение и интернет помогают нам в учебе. 17. Вот почему я стараюсь использовать интернет для подготовки домашних заданий. 18. В следующих абзацах исследователь уделяет особое внимание качеству и стоимости телевизионного оборудования. 19. Он указывает на то, что это оборудование становится все дешевле. 20. Кроме того, качество оборудования улучшается, и оно становится очень надежным. 21. В заключении я хочу сказать, что эта статья содержит много новой информации. 22. В целом я хочу сказать, что эта статья достаточно скучная. 23. Я получил много полезной информации. 24. Что касается меня, я постараюсь использовать эти знания в моей будущей работе. 25. Спасибо за Ваше внимание.

Речевые упражнения:

16. Make up a dialogue. Use the language for comparing/contrasting (повторение):

Contrast (сопоставление)	Comparison (сравнение)
However Although/even though Though But Despite/in spite of (несмотря на) While Whereas On the one hand... On the other hand…	Similarly Likewise Unlike Y, … (В отличие от...., ..) On the contrary Vice versa X is better than Y The best device is X Also Just as Just like Similar to Same as Not only... but also....

Student A: Explain to your partner different types of media.

Student B: Ask some questions about different types of media.

17. Make up a dialogue. Use –ing clauses to link a cause and effect (Вспомните тему «Обстоятельственные придаточные предложения»).

For example, DVD drives read DVD disks by using blue laser light.

Student A: Explain to your partner with the help of these notes what DVD disks are, how DVD disks store such large quantities of information and how that information is read:

DVD = Digital Versatile Disk:

• can hold complete movie;

• like CD in size and thickness;

• but CD drives use red laser light, DVD drives use blue;

• blue laser has shorter wavelength therefore data can be denser

DVDs can be double-sided:

• each side can have two layers;

• top layer 4.7GB, bottom layer 3.8GB, total capacity = 17GB;

• data transfer rate twice rate of CD-ROM.

Student B: Ask questions to Student B about DVD disks, how they store such large quantities of information and how that information is read. Ask questions about the difference between CD and DVD drives.

18. Make up a dialogue. Use –ing clauses to link a cause and effect (Вспомните тему «Обстоятельственные придаточные предложения»).

For example, DVD drives read DVD disks by using blue laser light.

Student A: Explain to your partner with the help of these notes what MPEG Video is and how it works:

MPEG = method of compressing/decompressing video signals to reduce size by up to 95%:

• video sequences stored in series of frames;

• intra frame (I-frame) every 1/3^rd second has most important picture information;

• between I-frames are predicted frames (P-frames) and bidirectional frames (B-frames);

• P- and B-frames store changes only;

• P- and B-frames preserve video quality between I-frames;

• Human eye can’t detect information discarded.

Student B: Ask questions to Student A about MPEG Video and its work.

19. Read and translate the following dialogue between a consumer and a company representative. Then answer the questions.

- Oh, good morning. I’ve got a problem with my MP3 player, could you help?

- Certainly, we’re experiencing a recall on some models. Which one do you have?

- I have the N.5250.

- OK, tell me about the problem you’re having.

- Well, at first, the sound quality started getting worse. Then, it completely froze. I tried restarting it but that didn’t work.

- Sounds like a problem caused by AAC* files. Don’t worry; we have a driver to fix that.

- Great! How do I get it?

- Just download it from our website and upload it to your player.

- Thanks a lot, you’ve been very helpful.

20. Answer the question.

1) What are the speakers mostly talking about?

a) why AAC files are causing problems.

b) where a consumer can buy a driver.

c) how to solve a consumer’s problem.

d) which model a consumer owns.

2) How did the customer try to fix the MP3 player?

a) install a new driver.

b) restart the player.

c) upload a new playlist.

d) remove the AAC files.

*AAC is a file format that a higher quality than MP3s.

21. Make up a dialogue between a consumer and a company representative. Make use of the dialogue above.

The language to use:

I’ve got a problem with my …

Which model do you have?

Tell me about the problem you’re having.

Student A: You are a company representative. Talk to Student B about a recall, model and problems.

Student B: You are calling to get help with your MP3 player. Ask Student A’s questions.

22. Imagine you are at the Media Conference. Answer the questions about the History of Media. Make up a dialogue between a journalist and IT Specialist.

1) When did new media for long distance communication appear?

2) What is the difference between analogue and digital communications?

3) What is the difference between modern communication media and traditional mass media?

4) What method of broadcasting media was the first to appear?

5) What is broadcasting?

6) How did all forms of electronic communication look like before 1920?

7) When did telephone broadcasting begin?

8) What were "Theatre Phone" systems?

9) What is DBS?

10) What does webcasting of video/television and audio/radio streams offer to consumers?

11) What is DBS used for?

12) How does radio broadcasting work?

13) What is cable FM?

14) What cable is involved in cable TV?

15) When and where did telephone newspaper services and entertainment programming?

16) Give examples of electrical/electronic broadcasting.

23. Compare different types of media.

Communication media

Broadcast media

Digital media

Electronic media

Multimedia

News media

Hypermedia

Mass media

Use the language for comparing and contrasting.

Comparison Likewise, Similarly, Along the same lines, In the same way.

1. _______ and ___________ both show ________________ 2. _______ and _____________ are like in that they both ____________. 3. __________ and _____________ all show _____________. 4. Likewise, both are __________________ 5. Similarly, ___________ and __________ are __________________ 6. In the same way, _______ and __________ are __________________. 7. Along the same lines, __________ and __________ are ______________________________________.

Contrast Although, But, By contrast, Conversely, Despite the fact, Even though, However, In contrast, Nevertheless, Nonetheless, On the contrary, On the other hand, Regardless, Whereas, While, Yet.

1. _______ is ________, while ___________ is __________________. 2. __________ is___________, but ____________ is _______________ 3. _________ and ____________ are different in that _______________. 4. While ________ shows __________, __________ shows __________. 5. ______ is _______, on the other hand _______ is __________. 6. ________________, yet _______________________. 7.Although _________________, ________________________.

24. Retell the text “History of Media”. Use the following plan and language above.

1) The title of the text (article):

the text is headlined...

the headline of the text I have read is...

2) The author of the text (article), where and when it was published:

the author of the article is...

the article is written by...

it's published in...

it's printed in...

it's taken from...

3) The main idea of the text (article):

the main idea of the text is...

the text is about...

the text is devoted to...

the text deals with...

the text touches upon...

the purpose of the text is to give the reader some information on...

the aim of the text is to provide the reader with some material (data) on…

4) The contents of the text (article) - some facts, names, figures:

a) the text starts with...

the author starts by telling the reader that...

b) the text describes...

the author writes (states, stresses, emphasizes, underlines, thinks, points out) that...

c) according to the text...

further the author reports (says)...

further on the text says about...

d) in conclusion...

the author comes to the conclusion that...

5) Your opinion on the text (article):

I found the text (article)

- interesting

- important

- dull

- of no value/ of great value

- too hard to understand because...

APPENDIX 1

(ADDITIONAL TEXTS)

Text 1.

1. Read and translate the text “Cloud computing”.

Although cloud computing is an emerging field of computer science, the idea has been around for a few years. It’s called cloud computing because the data and applications exist on a “cloud” of Web servers.

Instead of installing a suite of software for each computer, you’d only have to load one application. That application would allow workers to log into a Web based service which hosts all the programs the user would need for his or her job. Remote machines owned by another company would run everything from e-mail to word processing to complex data analysis programs. It’s called cloud computing, and it could change the entire computer industry.

In a cloud computing system, there’s significant workload shift. Local computers no longer have to do all the heavy lifting when it comes to running applications. The network of computers that make up the cloud handles them instead. Hardware and software demands on the user’s side decrease. The only thing the user’s computer needs to be able to run is the cloud computing system’s interface software, which can be as simple as a Web browser, and the cloud’s network takes care of the rest.

When talking about a cloud computing system, it’s helpful to divide it into two sections: the front end and the back end. They connect to each other through a network, usually the Internet. The front end is the side the computer user, or client, sees. The back end is the “cloud” section of the system.

The front end includes the client’s computer/computer network and the application required to access the cloud computing system. On the back end of the system are the various computers, servers and data storage systems that create the “cloud” of computing services. In theory, a cloud computing system could include practically any computer program you can imagine, from data processing to video games.

A central server administers the system, monitoring traffic and client demands to ensure everything runs smoothly. It follows a set of rules called protocols and uses a special kind of software called middleware. Middleware allows networked computers to communicate with each other.

If a cloud computing company has a lot of clients, there’s likely to be a high demand for a lot of storage space. Some companies require hundreds of digital storage devices. Cloud computing systems need at least twice the number of storage devices it requires to keep all its clients’ information stored. That’s because these devices, like all computers, occasionally break down. A cloud computing system must make a copy of all its clients’ information and store it on other devices. The copies enable the central server to access backup machines to retrieve data that otherwise would be unreachable. Making copies of data as a backup is called redundancy.

The applications of cloud computing are practically limitless. With the right middleware, a cloud computing system could execute all the programs a normal computer could run.

Why would anyone want to rely on another computer system to run programs and store data? Here are a few reasons:

1) Clients would be able to access their applications and data from anywhere at any time. They could access the cloud computing system using any computer linked to the Internet. Data wouldn’t be confined to a hard drive on one user’s computer or even a corporation’s Internet network.

2) It could bring hardware costs down. Cloud computing systems would reduce the need for advanced hardware on the client side. You wouldn’t need to buy the fastest computer with the most memory, because the cloud system would take care of those needs for you. Instead, you could buy an inexpensive computer terminal. The terminal could include a monitor, input devices like a keyboard and mouse and just enough processing power to run the middleware necessary to connect to the cloud system. You wouldn’t need a large hard drive because you’d store all your information on a remote computer.

3) Corporations that rely on computers have to make sure they have the right software in place to achieve goals. Cloud computing systems give these organizations company-wide access to computer applications. The companies don’t have to but a set of software or software licenses for every employee. Instead, the company could pay a metered fee to a cloud computing company.

4) Servers and digital storage devices take up space. Some companies rent physical space to store servers and databases because they don’t have it available on site. Cloud computing gives these companies the option of storing data on someone else’s hardware, removing the need for physical space on the front end.

5) Corporations might save money on IT support. Streamlined hardware would, in theory, have fewer problems than a network of heterogeneous machines and operating systems.

While the benefits of cloud computing seem convincing, the biggest concerns are security and privacy. The idea of handing over important data to another company worries some people. Corporate executives might hesitate to take advantage of a cloud computing system because they can’t keep their company’s information under lock and key.

The counterargument to this position is that the companies offering cloud computing services live and die by their reputations. It benefits these companies to have reliable security measures in place. Otherwise, the service would lose all its clients. It’s in their interests to employ the most advanced techniques to protect their clients’ data.

Privacy is another matter. If a client can log in from any location to access data and applications, it’s possible the client’s privacy could be compromised. Cloud computing companies will need to find ways to protect client privacy. One way is to use authentication techniques such as user names and passwords. Another is to employ an authorization format – each user can access only the data and applications relevant to his or her job.

2. Answer the following questions.

1) What is a cloud computing?

2) Why do we call it this way?

3) What makes up a cloud computing system?

4) What are some of the applications of cloud computing?

5) What accounts for data backup? (account for = объяснять)

6) Are there any potential problems about cloud computing?

3. Summarize the content of the paper.

4. Speak about the technology of cloud computing.

Text 2.

1. Read and translate the text «Media».

Media is defined as communication channels through which news, entertainment, education, data, or promotional messages are disseminated. Media includes every broadcasting and narrowcasting medium such as newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, billboards, direct mail, telephone, fax, and internet. Media is the plural of medium and can take a plural or singular verb, depending on the sense intended.

Media also means data storage material divided into three broad categories according to the recording method: (1) Magnetic, such as diskettes, disks, tapes, (2) Optical, such as microfiche, and (3) Magneto-Optical, such as CDs and DVDs.

In general, "media" refers to various means of communication. For example, television, radio, and the newspaper are different types of media. The term can also be used as a collective noun for the press or news reporting agencies. In the computer world, "media" is also used as a collective noun, but refers to different types of data storage options.

Computer media can be hard drives, removable drives (such as Zip disks), CD-ROM or CD-R discs, DVDs, flash memory, USB drives, and yes, floppy disks. For example, if you want to bring your pictures from your digital camera into a photo processing store, they might ask you what kind of media your pictures are stored on. Are they on the flash memory card inside your camera or are they on a CD or USB drive? For this and many other reasons, it is helpful to have a basic understanding of what the different types of media are.

2. Summarize the content of the paper.

Text 3.

1. Read and translate the text “Media 2”.

Advertising media

Various means (advertising vehicles) such as billboards, magazines, newspapers, radio, television, and internet by which promotional messages are communicated to the public using words, speech, and pictures.

Advertising gets to people through different forms of communication. Newspapers, magazines and direct mail belong to print media. TV, radio and the Internet are among the most important electronic media.

Newspapers

Almost half of a newspaper is made up of ads. Local papers have ads of local companies, but nationwide newspapers also advertise products that are sold all over the country. Most papers are published daily so new ads, like products on sale or movie openings can be placed every day. Newspapers sell advertising space in all sections of their paper. In most cases ads of products will be put in the section they are related to.

Display ads are big ads that can take up from a few cm to a full page. They have illustrations, headlines and lots of information on a certain field.

Classified ads appear in a separate section of a newspaper. Most of them only have a few lines and list homes, cars for sale, furniture or other things that private people want to sell or buy.

Magazines

Magazines mostly appear all over the country and are used by national advertisers. In contrast to newspapers they are read when people have more time. They are kept for a few weeks or even months. Better printing quality and colour ads are among the advantages of magazines.

Many special magazines are made for groups of people. The ads that appear there are especially for these groups. A computer magazine, for instance, may have many ads related to computers, printers or scanners.

Direct Mail

Direct mail consists of leaflets, brochures, catalogs or letters, that are mailed directly to people. Mail-order companies profit from this kind of advertising. Some mailing lists send information to all the people others only have special lists according to the jobs that people have or their age or income. Direct mail costs a lot of money, but advertising companies can be sure that they will reach the people.

Radio

Local advertisers place about 70 per cent of advertising on the radio. An advantage of radio is that people listen to programs while doing other things. In some cases radios are on the whole day. Commercials last about 30 seconds. Radio stations are more specialized in what they broadcast. One radio station offers pop music and has a younger listening audience; the other may broadcast classical music with older listeners. The ads can be chosen according to the group of people who listen.

Outdoor signs

Large colourful outdoor signs can easily catch the attention of by-passers. But these ads must be short and simple because viewers see them only for a few seconds.

The main signs are posters, billboards and electronic displays. Billboards are owned by local companies that rent them to advertisers. Sometimes ads are painted on buildings. Electronic billboards have large displays where ads change very quickly. They are the most expensive kind of outdoor signs.

Television

Television combines sound and moving images. It is one of the most expensive forms of advertising, but on the other hand it reaches a very wide audience. Advertisers buy time from TV stations to broadcast their commercials. This time is cheaper at times when fewer people watch TV, as in the early morning hours and gets very expensive during prime time evening shows. Sometimes advertisers pay a lot of money to get their ads on TV during special programmes, like the Olympic Games or the Super Bowl.

Infomercials have become very popular in the last few years. They are normal TV shows that focus on the sales of certain products. Details on how to buy the product (telephone numbers, etc.) are repeated many times during the programme.

Some TV stations also sell advertisers product placements. For example a brand of pizza can a car can appear in a scene of a TV show.