As we enter the twenty first century, new communication technologies are being introduced at an astonishing rate, and making sense of these technologies is becoming increasingly difficult. Communication Technology Update is the single best source for the latest developments, trends, and issues in communication technology. Now in its seventh edition, Communication Technology Update has become an indispensable information resource for business, government, and academia. Communication Technology Update continues to provide users with the latest information in all areas of telecommunication: electronic mass media, computers, consumer electronics, satellites, and telephony. A discussion of hardware, software, organizational structure, and political and economic influences is complimented by background information explaining the evolution of each of the technologies. New chapters for the seventh edition cover Internet commerce, streaming media, and home networking, in addition to the comprehensive coverage of two dozen technologies explored in the previous edition. Information on similar technologies has been concentrated into a smaller number of chapters to make it easier to compare history, revenues, technical descriptions, and user information across technologies. The companion home page on the World Wide Web (http://www.tfi.com/ctu/) posts updated information submitted by chapter authors and offers links to other Internet resources, as well as a listing of trade organizations and trade publications covering all areas of communication technology.