The virtual-room-construction approach

Media support of communication has dramatically changed during the last decade. This trend is especially driven by new media technologies, like e. g. “Voice-over IP” (VoIP). VoIP provides a solid converged network, combining voice, data, fax and video transmissions into a cohesive networking infrastructure centered on the Internet Protocol (IP). Permanent innovations in the telecommunication and computer industry enable these new kinds of media support. Since media support of communication changed so much, recently it seems to be necessary to prove if the existing media-theories which worked for older media are still valid for the new media as described. This question stands in the foreground of this book and this question is elaborated in the book by presenting an alternative in the sense of a comprehensive media theory-based framework. VoIP-based Skype™-technology are used as an example throughout the whole book. After discussing the different traditional media- theories and approaches the new perspectives “room-metaphor” and “virtuality” for the topic is suggested and explained. This book addresses primarily the communicating business-community on the one hand and teachers, students and interested people in communication and information science.