Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. For the first time in ever, I will not be having Thanksgiving Dinner with either of my children. Although this makes me sad, I am happy that there are computer fixes that make being across the country or across the world a little easier to keep in touch. With that in mind, for today’s challenge we will look at some tools that help bring people and business a little but closer.
Video Chatting– This is one of my personal favorites. It really is just like being there. Video Chats occur when your computer has a video camera either built in or attached to it. Through various types of software, your video camera connects you to another computer with a camera and through the magic of the internet you are video chatting Jetson style.
Many newer computers come with a built in video camera – but if you are looking to add one or maybe get one for someone you want to video chat with – here are some webcams to consider from Amazon.com. If you are wondering what software works to video chat, you may already have some of them right in your computer. If you are an AOL user or have AIM instant messenger, you can video chat with anyone on your Buddy List that has a camera. The same is true of G-Chat, MS Messenger, Yahoo Chat or IChat (which comes with a MAC). Anyone who has a camera on their computer will have a little camera next to their name on the buddy list. Look for me at EWMBeth(AIM) and you will see what I mean. All of the software operates fairly similarly, you just click on the camera next to the name and off you go.
Skype – Skype is a free software that not only lets you Video Chat, you can also use your computer as a phone. Now you might be wondering why you would want to do that, but if you rack up long distance charges with international calls, you will quickly understand the beauty of Skype. You can also use it for local calls. I see more and more people letting go of those home phones in favor of a cell phone and a Skype Account.
Eyejot.com – Looking for a different twist? Try eyejot which allows you to send video emails. The account is free and maybe you can give a different twist to that Holiday card this year – send a video from you and yours.
Now that we are into the video thing, you might want to consider a couple of business applications for that webcam and chat software. Let’s hold that thought for after turkey. Happy Thanksgiving! Here is a clip from a Thanksgiving tradition around my house…
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