A feature that only requires an Internet connection to access, a web conference allows instructors to interact with their students by lecture, discussion or question and answer. Whiteboards can be employed through web conferencing, as can slideshows, allowing instructor to demonstrate examples or share graphics that illustrate their point.

While many online classes also utilize web pages, message boards and emails, web conference allows for a lecture period and if a student is 'absent,' they can replay lesson.

Also, with web conferences, lectures can be 'recorded' and attached on syllabus page for viewing as students achieve that part of semester. This not only allows more freedom for instructor, but also for students with regard to flexible enrollment.

Online college courses allow more people than ever to have college experience. Freed from obligation of committing two or three hours a week to a physical classroom (not including drive time) lets everyone from full time employees to full time parents take advantage of opportunities for higher education.

Technology has a way to breed progress and nowhere is that statement more visible than in utilization of web conferences in online courses.

Another writer, a friend of mine, got account and life went on.

Of course, I was pretty upset by situation. I had completed several writing projects already for that client, which had seemed to go well, and had just finished a press release when I got boot.

My writer friend told me later her "secret" for making this client happy. Basically, what she did was rewrite press release so it focused solely on client and client’s business.

I said: "But what you’ve written isn’t that newsworthy. I don’t think newspaper will accept it."

She said: "That’s not what client wants. Therefore, I don’t worry about it."

And she was right. (She kept account after all.) The client wanted an "I’m so great" press release. He didn’t want something that might actually result in coverage for him. He wanted something that would make him feel good when he read it.

In world of public relations, press releases are explorers. They travel far and wide, visiting media outlets everywhere, and presenting information about your products and services. Media people decide whether or not to cover your business based in large part on those hard-working press releases.

So, there's a lot riding on them. Therefore, it pays to take a little extra time to make sure they're outfitted correctly for job.

When you get an idea for a press release, ask yourself this question: "Is this something someone else would be interested in or is this something only I (and maybe my mother) would want to read?"

Sounds easy, right? Well, if it was that easy, there wouldn't be so many "Look at me -- I'm so great" press releases running amuck out there.