to business. Current and emerging digital communications network architec- Clarifying telephone, Internet, multimedia jargon and lingo Analyzing and understanding Internet and telecom facilities The characteristics of digitized content from a telecom perspec- INTRODUCTION How to relate, map, and interface digitized content to digital networks How to design, specify, and get internet/telecom services at affordable cost Developing strategic network plans that fit enterprise financial models Monitoring regulatory and technology trends for long-term sur- vival Why should practicing broadcast professionals know about Internet and Telecom? Life in the real world is competitive. Basic human tendency is to survive, grow, and prosper. For most, the alternative isn't very attractive. Change is inevitable. You can ignore or fight it. You might find it more palatable to embrace it, learn from it and survive, grow, and prosper. If you choose to embrace change rather than react to it, you may find you'll live longer and get a raise and a promotion or two. Move that file you just created or an old one from the archives with your mouse instead of calling a courier or overnight delivery service; it's faster and more secure. Picture using a home theater remote control to rent or buy the latest Hollywood release instead of driving around the corner or across town. Better yet, have your home theater search or watch for certain content and when it finds it, capture it, and notify you that it's available when you want to take time to "tune in." Sure, accomplishing all these great things is quite possible with other media. However, "network" media may well give you a cost effective, competitive edge. The level of detail and amount of information about audio, video and other aspects of broadcast and technical operations may strike some as more than necessary or appropriate. However, nothing in the book is intended to substitute for professional broadcast knowledge and expertise. The intent is to dovetail and converge Broadcast, Internet