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| Make money, stop spam on AOL, Yahoo, MSN, Skype FaceBridge (http://www.facebridge.com)has developed a patent-pending system that allows users of Instant-Messaging and VoIP networks to automatically charge each other just for communicating. It's helpful to think in terms of voice and video chat. Voice and video are supported by all major IM/VoIP networks today. The system runs as an internet service and requires no downloads and no changes in how users behave. The only difference is that money changes hands when users communicate. For example, "John" can set his AIM address to charge 99 cents a minute to any other AIM user who calls him. Anyone with something to offer via voice or video can charge for their time very easily, with no need for time tracking and invoicing. The caller's credit card is billed and the person providing the service is paid. Transaction details are stored for later review. And because callers have to pay, the system is a very effective spam blocker. If you charge $10 to answer calls to your Skype address, you'll only hear from callers who are reasonably serious. To demonstrate the service, FaceBridge has created a stand-alone website (http://www.flavorsofa.com)where Apple Macintosh users can register their AIM information and start charging to interact with other AIM users. Windows IM users and Skype users will be supported in the next version. This will greatly broaden the number of users who can charge for their presence online. FaceBridge founders Tom Mornini and Lance Walley view this as a liberating technology, allowing anyone to profit from communications with other people anywhere in the world. Example users include professionals, musicians, artists, tutors, coaches, psychics, comedians, and adult entertainers, just to name a few. Because the service works over standard networks, users give out their IM/VoIP address wherever they like, and anyone wishing to contact them uses their standard buddy list software. For instance, you can add your lawyer to your buddy list and then click when you have a legal question; all billing occurs automatically. For the operator of this service, revenue is generated from transaction fees on each communication. write your comments about the article :: © 2005 Networking News :: home page |