| The internet was originally dubbed the information | | | | Live streaming |
| superhighway. This was because the internet | | | | With broadband internet, it is also possible to |
| effectively provided a means of communications | | | | broadcast audio and video in a live streaming |
| to millions of people. However, its ability to | | | | mode. A stream is essentially an internet version |
| communicate was generally limited to text and | | | | of a live radio or TV broadcast. Just recently, |
| photographs. In time, various audio and video | | | | "webcasts" have grown to include live charitable |
| delivery systems expanded the way the internet | | | | telethons which have raised millions of dollars. |
| communicates. This is a direct result of the | | | | While live stream original programming is in the |
| expansion of broadband internet. It is broadband | | | | primitive stages, it is bound to grow by leaps and |
| internet that provides the strength and speed in | | | | bounds in the near future. |
| which audio/video files can be effectively | | | | Radio and Streaming |
| transferred. | | | | Actually, a mix of radio broadcasts and internet |
| Podcasts | | | | streaming is presently available. In previous |
| Now, many blogs and websites are also adding | | | | generations, the ability to listen to a radio station |
| audio and video podcasts to their website. For | | | | was based on proximity to the signal. If you lived |
| those unfamiliar with the term, a podcast is a | | | | in Oregon you were not going to pick up a radio |
| prerecorded broadcast of an audio or video file. All | | | | signal from Florida. Today, thanks to broadband, |
| the visitor has to do is click on the file and it will | | | | one can listen to internet streams of live radio |
| open in a media player. The quality of these files | | | | station broadcasts no matter where the signal is |
| may vary, but the ease of opening and playing | | | | located. This means that virtually every radio |
| them is generally solid. Because of this, they are | | | | station in the world can be listened from |
| becoming quite common and the internet is | | | | anywhere in the world. This allows radio stations |
| starting to resemble the early days of television | | | | to greatly expand their audience and their |
| and radio with more amateur programming. Keep | | | | advertising revenue to a greater degree than |
| in mind, amateur is not a bad word. Many | | | | what was thought possible. |
| amateurs can produce excellent internet | | | | Broadband has greatly impacted the expansion of |
| programming. Of course, this would not be | | | | internet communications. Because broadband |
| possible without broadband. If the files took for | | | | allows these files to be opened easily, a new and |
| ever to load most people would simply not have | | | | innovative communications medium has evolved. |
| the patience for them. | | | | And it is continuing to evolve. |