Video Chat

[bigastrout]

I got a set of web cams for Christmas and have started using the windows live messenger to video chat with friends and family. This video chat stuff is really cool. I was just thinking that it would be really cool if that could somehow be incorporated into the site. We could see each other and discuss topics in real time. ??????

My router just crashed while trying to post this sorry if it posts twice.

[Marc Martyn]

That would be cool. Aaron would be the one that could answer that. I have a video camera on mine and use Skype to visit with my daughter in New Zealand.

If it can't be incorporated into the site, maybe we could set up a member's list of people who have video and then PM them to set a time for a live chat.

[bigastrout]

My guess is that it is going to be a few versions of the site down the road before its possible. But it sure would be cool. I guess we will see when Mike or Aaron weighs in. I do like your idea though if its not possible. Does the Skype program have the ability for more than a two way conversation? How much does the Skype program cost? I am on the new Windows Live Messenger now and its free but can only do two way video conversations and is a bit of a RAM hog.

[Marc Martyn]

You can download Skype for free. You can make free Skype to Skype video calls anywhere in the world. You can set your privacy preferences which is nice. As far as I know, you can do conference phone calls. However, you cannot make a group conference video call. Here is the link to Skype for Windows. Down at the bottom of the page is a list of system requirements.

http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/

I have used MSN Messenger before and didn't care to much for it. It seemed that it was alway trying to connect even when you didn't want to make a video call. Plus, I think in using it you might get some extra Spam. I like Skype much better.

If you want to try it, send me a PM and we'll set up a time to connect and try it out.

[A9]

Marc,
You ever use the video chat on the Apples????

[Marc Martyn]

Yes I have. Over Christmas, I visited with my daughter in New Zealand on the Mac WorkBook. We tried it out initially by computer to computer in the house. It worked great. The camera in the WorkBook is superior to the screen mount logitech that I have on my desktop computer. The iSight camera they have in the Mac Laptops is wonderful.

If you would like to try it out some evening on Skype, PM me and we can get connected at a set time.

[bigastrout]

I am going to give Skype a try it looks good. I also found a program called Spontania Video Collaboration that piggy backs on Skype and allows video conferences of up to 4 people at a time. Its free an looks like it could be very usefull.

Here is the link to Spontania Video Collaboration

http://www.spontania.com/


Marc when I get this all loaded I will send you that PM

[Marc Martyn]

That sounds pretty good. In reading over the system requirements, the host has to be operating on Windows. Therefore, with me on a Mac, I wouldn't be able to initiate the conference call. It would certainly be worth a try. Sam is interested in video calls also, so we could try to get three on at a time to see how it works.