What is better than an engaging conversation with a far-away friend? These voice over internet protocol clients put talking to, as well as seeing, friends and family as close as the nearest internet connection.
Here are six programs that provide free, or low-cost, ways to place calls and webchats. Click on the logo to visit each program’s website.
Camfrog operates on more of a chat-room model, so if you want audio, video and text capabilities, Camfrog is a good place to check out. You can use the basic version, which is free, without a webcam. Once you have signed up, you can create a password protected chat room. The user interface is reasonably easy to navigate. Camfrog allows adult content chat rooms, so keep that in mind if tender minds will have access to it. Camfrog also provides upgrades, for a fee, that provide access to multiple chat rooms, file sharing and other features.
Skype is the largest player in the voice chat arena, and offers many features. You can make conference calls with up to 24 participants, play games, share files and use instant messaging. Skye also allows low-cost calls to land and mobile telephone numbers and will, for a monthly fee, provide you with a local telephone number. Skype has plans for individual and business use.
OoVoo provides a sleek style for use with text, voice and webcam communication. As the company itself says, ooVoo is FREE video calling. See up to six friends, family or colleagues at the same time – with video quality that’s like being face-to-face in the same room! OoVoo also provides a “Call Me Button” you can integrate into your blog or MySpace page that creates an ooVoo link.
Combining voice chat with instant messaging, VoxOx brings internet calls and social networking together. The program also includes the capability to file share, email and video conference. It is, however, still in a beta release, so expect some bumps in road as you communicate over the internet highway.
If you have a Yahoo! mail account, you have access to Yahoo! Messenger (YM) as well. YM allows for Instant Messaging, chat rooms, pc to pc calls, text messaging, webcams, other network instant messaging and instant file transfer. With a casual user focus, YM provides light-hearted add-ons such as emoticons, customizable avatars and games.
A part of the Windows Live group, Live Messenger brings VoIP to your hotmail account. In addition to voice and webcam chat, Live allows you to chat with several people at one time in a chat group, share photos in the conversation window and customize your display with different scenes, pictures and sounds. If you find yourself at a public computer without Messenger, you can chat on the web from Windows Live Hotmail or use Messenger on your mobile phone.
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