Depending on the capabilities and nature of the MUD, users can communicate in real-time via text chat or voice, and engage in activities within the environment such as playing a game or fighting. Though most MUDS are designed for entertainment, some are used for informational purposes such as distance learning. Intermetrics mPath Interactive Sony Video Conferencing Video conferencing, which is run over IP, allows a group of users to communicate in real-time through the use of live streaming audio and video. Some conferences involve a single video image from a main source and multiple audio feeds from many sites, while others can support at least up to four users on a split screen. Just as IP can support telephony, the Internet Protocol can also handle facsimile transmissions.
Networks supporting faxes can either be private or provide access over the Internet.
Generally, webcasting services offer users access to a wide range of information and news. The application would eliminate the need for the user to find the article on the Internet and manually download it. Though multicasting is similar to webcasting, it operates like a sophisticated mailing list rather than a news clipping service. It promises to be a popular application within private networks. Standards for IP delivery of multicasting are being developed including IP Multicast and Mbone.