MAC & WINDOWS CROSS-PLATFORM IM APPLICATIONS
CONNECT IN REAL-TIME TO FRIENDS NEAR - AND FAR
SKYPE FOR MACINTOSH <-> WINDOWS:
Skype is one of the best and most reliable cross-platform video apps: It isn't just for free & very low-cost long distance VOIP calling. Check out and download the 2.7 version of Skype for Mac which now supports PC <--> Mac video chat options. Many iChat users experience problems trying to video conference with Windows AOL Instant Messenger users, so Skype is worth trying as an alternate. Skype's ability to upload your address book contacts and search their directory for pals helps build a buddy list quickly at Skype. Again: Only the 2.7x versions of Mac Skype supports Video functions - so get and stay current. At the Skype website note they sell two UVC-compliant Logitech cams in particular: specifically the Logitech Quickcam 9000, and the Pro For Notebooks
models at their online store. NO others listed there are a good Mac choice.
APPLE iCHAT AV <-> AOL INSTANT MESSENGER:
iChat is preinstalled on every Mac. Great video quality and features, but LACKS COMMUNITY. You're on your own to find and build your own Pal-Buddy List from friends @aol.com and @mac.com accounts - But with AOL's AIM cross-platform compatibility has a HUGE user-base of AOL Instant Messenger folks to chat with. Get A Free AOL ScreenName Here to get started. Full support of text, voice, video and and now - file & screen-sharing with the latest OSX 10.5 Leopard iChatAV version. [FYI: If you get errors trying to do video chat, especially with with PC users, it's often because of Router, Firewall or Internet Security Blocking software far more common on the PC end. Try Skype instead.)
Looking for new iChat Pals? For general "Upscale Social & Professional Networking" as they call it: www.iChatFinder.com Or, check out www.iChatters.com for finding video chat pals from the Gay, Lesbian & Alternative GLBT communities.
ISPQ VIDEOCHAT <-> MAC & PC:
Unlike many chat apps, ISPQ has an INTEGRATED COMMUNITY: You can browse profiles & member pics, text message with still images and audio clips - and optionally video chat: 1 on 1 or Multi-party. Community is a key feature sorely missing from some other standalone Mac chat apps. Offers both 'Nice' Social as well as Frisky Adult chat rooms you can browse - Not for the kiddies. A commercial app that offers a free 21-day trial to test drive. This is a Fully-Featured conferencing program the Apple & PC platform has - in most aspects - what iChat ought to be.
[FYI: ISPQ's parent, NanoCom used to license out it's video conferencing code. The still VERY popular iCUii software once used it and was both Mac & Windows compatible. A fallout with NanoComm led iCUii to rewrite its app from scratch for PC-only. NanoCom morphed its code into ISPQ - and continues to provide a truly cross-platform videoconference app - for all of us.
] Using Boot Camp, VMware or Parallels: Mac users on Intel might try Windows PC options to give iCUii a looksee.
YAHOO MESSENGER MAC:
Recent improvements to the latest v.3 beta version of Yahoo! Messenger Mac for OSX helps. Large community of users since anyone @yahoo.com can potentially video-conference. Yahoo also recently added the ability to chat with MSN Messenger folk @msn.com and @hotmail.com. Doesn't support audio during video connections, so it's text chat with optional video only. 2 out of 3 ain't bad.
MSN MESSENGER MAC:
For years, Microsoft MSN Messenger for Macintosh didn't support video AT ALL. The least capable Mac chat program; for text only and exchanging files, but has a huge userbase. Last year they added compatibility with @yahoo.com buds, so you can add Yahooers to your Pal list now. Microsoft recently added video support in the NEW Messenger 7 for Mac which followed their release of Office 2008 for Mac. But... video functions are supported ONLY FOR 'CORPORATE' ACCOUNTS and NOT 'PERSONAL ACCOUNTS' that the majority of us have. Perhaps Microsoft is using Corporate users as a test-bed first, and may eventually enable video for the rest of us in future releases. There are two alternate MSN clones for Mac that try to do video; Mercury Messenger and AMSN. Both are simply Geeky and Very-Flakey and absolutely fail to deliver a commercial quality application solution the average user can just enjoy using.
IVISIT FOR MAC & PC - AND PDA'S:
Somewhat outdated, iVisit has been around a long time: itsroots go all the way back to the dawn of video conferencing, shortly after CUSeeme made it even possible over a dial-up modem. It just hasn't kept up with modern day interface enhancements. It has 'Rooms' you can join, browse who's online, participate in group chat, private message, and video 1:1... but it feels like a Programmer who doesn't understand a Consumer's needs wrote it.
CAMFROG:
Only takes minutes to download the free version of CamFrog, set up an account, and start stumbling through rooms full of people! It works, it's easy, and overwhelming sometimes. It's a little too easy to drown in overlapping windows but it's very approachable for first-time video chatters.
VIDEO CAPTURE, CONVERT, SECURITY, SURVEILANCE, FTP:
There's some notable Freeware, Shareware and Pay-For video and camera utilities to use with your webcam: Video converters to prep clips for iPod like ISQUINT, HANDBRAKE & VIDDYUP! Capture programs like BEAR'S HAND & BTV. Webcam Security and time-lapse surveilence apps with FTP uploading like BOINX iSTOPMOTION, KEYCAMX and IMAGECASTER. Some of the most useful chat add-on utilities come from ecamm.com like IUSBCAM which enables iChat USB video support on older Macs - and the highly recommended iGLASSES which allows you to adjust colors, brightness, zoom and more on both external webcams and built-in iSight as well. Just some of many great Mac webcam programs all worth mentioning.
