Many OIptions for Video Calling

In 1964 AT&T tested Picturephone.  The public was invited to place calls between special exhibits at Disneyland and the New York World's Fair. It is interesting to note that for the most part AT&T and the phone companies really have not exploited this technology but with the explosion of Internet connectivity many other companies have.

Most of us have heard of Skype as it has become a generic term for all video calling.  The company, now owned by Microsoft, was one of the first to offer an easy, free or inexpensive service to the masses.  With a computer, webcam and internet connection, even the most digitally challenged computer user could chat with and see friends and family across town or accoss the oceans.  Once the only game in town, there are now several options available that take video calling to new levels.

For those who want not only to communicate but to collaborate, a company called OOVOO.com provides a service that not only allows you to see and hear the person you are calling but to share documents, pictures, maps and anything you can display on your computer screen.  So a custom home builder might be able to show his client the blue prints of the new house and, using his computer cursor, highlight various features he is discussing with them.  The builder’s computer screen is displayed on the remote computer.  A lawyer could highlight parts of contracts or other legal documents for his client.

OOVOO also provides the capacity to conference with 12 locations simultaneously.  So if you have a big family, you can have an online reunion.   All OOVOO sessions can be recorded.  OOVOO has a free service that limits some of these features and has display advertisements on the screen.  It also has a mobile app.

Google provides a similar service with many of the OOVOO features.  The number of simultaneous participants is set at 10. The Google service has a “broadcast” feature that allows you to share the video session with an unlimited number of people although they can only watch and listen but not join in the conversation.

For those who use an iPhone or an iPad, the Apple “Facetime” app provides easy audio and video communication between any two Apple devices.  Once “Facetime” required a wifi connection but now works over the cell network as well.

It has never been easier to keep track of friends and relatives living far away.  The features today go well beyond the Picturephone of the 1964 World’s Fair.  How long will it be before we can transport ourselves electronically?  “Beam me up Scotty!”

Many OIptions for Video Calling

In 1964 AT&T tested Picturephone.  The public was invited to place calls between special exhibits at Disneyland and the New York World's Fair. It is interesting to note that for the most part AT&T and the phone companies really have not exploited this technology but with the explosion of Internet connectivity many other companies have.

Most of us have heard of Skype as it has become a generic term for all video calling.  The company, now owned by Microsoft, was one of the first to offer an easy, free or inexpensive service to the masses.  With a computer, webcam and internet connection, even the most digitally challenged computer user could chat with and see friends and family across town or accoss the oceans.  Once the only game in town, there are now several options available that take video calling to new levels.

For those who want not only to communicate but to collaborate, a company called OOVOO.com provides a service that not only allows you to see and hear the person you are calling but to share documents, pictures, maps and anything you can display on your computer screen.  So a custom home builder might be able to show his client the blue prints of the new house and, using his computer cursor, highlight various features he is discussing with them.  The builder’s computer screen is displayed on the remote computer.  A lawyer could highlight parts of contracts or other legal documents for his client.

OOVOO also provides the capacity to conference with 12 locations simultaneously.  So if you have a big family, you can have an online reunion.   All OOVOO sessions can be recorded.  OOVOO has a free service that limits some of these features and has display advertisements on the screen.  It also has a mobile app.

Google provides a similar service with many of the OOVOO features.  The number of simultaneous participants is set at 10. The Google service has a “broadcast” feature that allows you to share the video session with an unlimited number of people although they can only watch and listen but not join in the conversation.

For those who use an iPhone or an iPad, the Apple “Facetime” app provides easy audio and video communication between any two Apple devices.  Once “Facetime” required a wifi connection but now works over the cell network as well.

It has never been easier to keep track of friends and relatives living far away.  The features today go well beyond the Picturephone of the 1964 World’s Fair.  How long will it be before we can transport ourselves electronically?  “Beam me up Scotty!”

Keep In Touch With ooVoo

Recently I have been searching for a computer application that will allow several people I work with who are located in different offices and cities to collaborate without traveling to one location. Many large companies have internal video conferencing systems but most require the participants to be in a special room. There are several expensive computer-based software applications that are available as well. My search uncovered an inexpensive solution that might have some non-business applications especially for families who are spread across wide geographic distances.

The software is called “ooVoo” (don’t ask me how to pronounce it) and it allows up to 12 people to see and hear each other using a computer equipped with a camera, microphone and Internet connection. Think of it as Skype on steroids.

What makes ooVoo different than most other videoconferencing services on the Internet is that only the person setting up the call needs to have the ooVoo software installed on a computer. The other 11 participants need only enter an internet address into their browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari). Each machine must also have Java installed but that is most likely already on most machines and, if it isn’t, it is a free download.

One of the features that makes ooVoo a great way to converse with your family members is that you can share pictures and other materials stored on your computer with the entire group. So if I set up the call I can pull up pictures from my computer and show them full screen on all the other computers connected to the call. While the pictures are on everyone’s screens, the audio continues so I can describe what everyone is seeing and all the participants can freely share in the conversation.

I have checked out ooVoo and it really is painless to use. While the company claims it works seamlessly on both PCs and Macs, I had a much harder time getting the Mac version to run without actually installing special software on all the machines connected to the call. This is a real negative since with the PC version there is no preparation needed on the part of anyone on the call except the one originating it.

ooVoo comes in several flavors. The free version allows up to 12 simultaneous participants but does have advertising banners on the screen. The entire call can be recorded and saved or posted to YouTube. If you purchase the upgraded version, the advertisements disappear and you can add an unlimited number of participants via phone only. They can hear everything but of course can’t see the video.

ooVoo is worth a look if you have a big family and want to have a group call rather than a traditional Skype call.

Click to video call me

ooVoo

Keep In Touch With ooVoo

Recently I have been searching for a computer application that will allow several people I work with who are located in different offices and cities to collaborate without traveling to one location. Many large companies have internal video conferencing systems but most require the participants to be in a special room. There are several expensive computer-based software applications that are available as well. My search uncovered an inexpensive solution that might have some non-business applications especially for families who are spread across wide geographic distances.

The software is called “ooVoo” (don’t ask me how to pronounce it) and it allows up to 12 people to see and hear each other using a computer equipped with a camera, microphone and Internet connection. Think of it as Skype on steroids.

What makes ooVoo different than most other videoconferencing services on the Internet is that only the person setting up the call needs to have the ooVoo software installed on a computer. The other 11 participants need only enter an internet address into their browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari). Each machine must also have Java installed but that is most likely already on most machines and, if it isn’t, it is a free download.

One of the features that makes ooVoo a great way to converse with your family members is that you can share pictures and other materials stored on your computer with the entire group. So if I set up the call I can pull up pictures from my computer and show them full screen on all the other computers connected to the call. While the pictures are on everyone’s screens, the audio continues so I can describe what everyone is seeing and all the participants can freely share in the conversation.

I have checked out ooVoo and it really is painless to use. While the company claims it works seamlessly on both PCs and Macs, I had a much harder time getting the Mac version to run without actually installing special software on all the machines connected to the call. This is a real negative since with the PC version there is no preparation needed on the part of anyone on the call except the one originating it.

ooVoo comes in several flavors. The free version allows up to 12 simultaneous participants but does have advertising banners on the screen. The entire call can be recorded and saved or posted to YouTube. If you purchase the upgraded version, the advertisements disappear and you can add an unlimited number of participants via phone only. They can hear everything but of course can’t see the video.

ooVoo is worth a look if you have a big family and want to have a group call rather than a traditional Skype call.

Click to video call me

ooVoo

Skype Worth a Second Look

There have been so many revolutionary changes in technology that it is difficult to keep up. How we watch TV, plan a trip, conduct our banking or shop for everything from books to broccoli … all have changed. Many of our most mundane daily tasks are now heavily dependent on technology. Even making a phone call has changed. I’m sure many can remember when making a long distance call, especially to a foreign country, was an expensive proposition. No longer is this the case.

Recently, my globe trotting wife had some teaching gigs in Australia requiring her to be “down under” for several weeks. This is the second time that she has been there, traveling around the country teaching various fiber techniques. The last time she was gone for almost two months. I remember that we talked on the phone every few days but always tried to keep the calls short because they were expensive. This time not only do we talk sometimes twice a day, but the calls are video calls and they are free.

We are using Skype. I have discussed this service in this column before and many of you may already use Skype to keep track of your kids or grandkids. So if you already know about it you can quit reading.

Skype is an Internet based communications program that allows you to use your computer and the Internet to communicate with others on the Skype network or to make calls to regular land lines or mobile phones anywhere in the world. If you are contacting someone who has a Skype account there is no charge for the call. If you are using Skype to call a regular telephone number there is a charge albeit much less than traditional international long distance rates.

Judy and I are using the free service which allows us to make video calls. Judy has a
small netbook computer with a camera built in and my computers at home and at work also are outfitted with small web cams. All of these computers have the free Skype program loaded.

Making a call is as easy as clicking on the person’s name in your Skype directory. For Judy and me we just needed to get used to the time difference. When I was just beginning my day in Cincinnati, Judy was going to sleep in Tasmania and it was the next day.

Signing up for Skype is easy. Just go to www.skype.com and follow the directions. You will need a high speed Internet connection, a PC or Mac of most any flavor, a web cam if you want to make video calls. If you wish to make only voice calls all you need is a microphone either connected to your computer or built in to your lap top.

Skype has been around for many years and millions of people worldwide use it daily to
stay in touch. It is worth a look.

Skype Worth a Second Look

There have been so many revolutionary changes in technology that it is difficult to keep up. How we watch TV, plan a trip, conduct our banking or shop for everything from books to broccoli … all have changed. Many of our most mundane daily tasks are now heavily dependent on technology. Even making a phone call has changed. I’m sure many can remember when making a long distance call, especially to a foreign country, was an expensive proposition. No longer is this the case.

Recently, my globe trotting wife had some teaching gigs in Australia requiring her to be “down under” for several weeks. This is the second time that she has been there, traveling around the country teaching various fiber techniques. The last time she was gone for almost two months. I remember that we talked on the phone every few days but always tried to keep the calls short because they were expensive. This time not only do we talk sometimes twice a day, but the calls are video calls and they are free.

We are using Skype. I have discussed this service in this column before and many of you may already use Skype to keep track of your kids or grandkids. So if you already know about it you can quit reading.

Skype is an Internet based communications program that allows you to use your computer and the Internet to communicate with others on the Skype network or to make calls to regular land lines or mobile phones anywhere in the world. If you are contacting someone who has a Skype account there is no charge for the call. If you are using Skype to call a regular telephone number there is a charge albeit much less than traditional international long distance rates.

Judy and I are using the free service which allows us to make video calls. Judy has a
small netbook computer with a camera built in and my computers at home and at work also are outfitted with small web cams. All of these computers have the free Skype program loaded.

Making a call is as easy as clicking on the person’s name in your Skype directory. For Judy and me we just needed to get used to the time difference. When I was just beginning my day in Cincinnati, Judy was going to sleep in Tasmania and it was the next day.

Signing up for Skype is easy. Just go to www.skype.com and follow the directions. You will need a high speed Internet connection, a PC or Mac of most any flavor, a web cam if you want to make video calls. If you wish to make only voice calls all you need is a microphone either connected to your computer or built in to your lap top.

Skype has been around for many years and millions of people worldwide use it daily to
stay in touch. It is worth a look.