Do You Use Webcams?

April 2, 2007

I'll be the first to admit I'm a little camera shy when it comes to using webcams. In college one of my best friends used one to keep in touch with her friends and long distance boyfriend, but I was always a little squeamish. But ever since I started using a MacBook, which has a built in iSight camera, I've gotten a ton of requests from people on my buddy list to video chat and I'm slowly getting in to it. According to a New York Times article, with the advent of higher quality webcams that offer good picture quality for a low price video chatting is on the rise.

Right now the most popular instant messaging programs that support video chatting include those from AOL, Skype, Yahoo and Microsoft.

21 Comments

danzone 5 years 19 weeks

My family uses www.spokt.com to keep in touch. It is free and works really well. We've been using it without any major issues for six months now, it lets everyone post and keeps track of what I haven't read. It is a really innovative way to keep in touch and I recommend it to everyone.

jmb1025 6 years 1 week

I only use it to talk to my sister who lives in England. I haven't seen her in 2 years and it is a nice substitute for her not being here.

breathe in 6 years 3 weeks

yes. coz my bf is farfarfar away from where iam. :(

demeter 6 years 3 weeks

I used to do it all the time with virtually anyone who asked, but now I only do that with family and LD bf's if I have one. Anyone else who asks, I just get creeped out by it.

vmruby 6 years 6 weeks

Nope never have.....

vmruby 6 years 6 weeks

Nope never have.....

moemarsita 6 years 6 weeks

I honestly don't know why people are freaked out by webcams. It's not like they're on all the time or that anyone can watch you--you control who you talk with. The majority of my first two years with my boyfriend was spent 300 miles away, so I really enjoyed the chance to see him.

partysugar 6 years 6 weeks

Webcams are great for communicating with family who lives abroad. When I was in Europe and my sister in Argentina that is how we would see each other and chat.

macgirl 6 years 6 weeks

The camera doesn't work on its own. When it's engaged you get a little green led light that lets you know its active. You are probably safe to remove the paper :-)

inertia 6 years 6 weeks

My Mac came with a cam so I taped a piece of paper over it. I've never used it and don't want to. The great thing about ordinary phones and e-mail is that neither I nor my apartment needs to look presentable.

kscincotta 6 years 6 weeks

We used one to hold a long distance baby shower for my best friend (we could see her and the party on her end, but she couldn't see us). Otherwise, I don't think it's worth the energy it takes my computer to stream the video.

Mamarosa 6 years 6 weeks

I love to use them while I'm typing to send crazy pictures of me doing funky stuff. It's a great way to send a quick kiss to my boyfriend from across with world. I especially love using this program: http://snapstrip.com/ It's like Mac's Photo Booth but for Windows, with more effects and stickers! I love the stickers!

Mamarosa 6 years 6 weeks

I love to use them while I'm typing to send crazy pictures of me doing funky stuff. It's a great way to send a quick kiss to my boyfriend from across with world.I especially love using this program: http://snapstrip.com/It's like Mac's Photo Booth but for Windows, with more effects and stickers! I love the stickers!

Angelica 6 years 6 weeks

I think they are kinda naughty too. Not into them. "Naughty" is my "something else answer." Thanks macgirl :)

macgirl 6 years 6 weeks

Is it weird that I feel they are kind of naughty? Like I'm supposed to be doing a peep show or something? ;-)

designergirl 6 years 6 weeks

I tried using the webcam to chat with my boyfriend who currently lives in another city. It made me miss him too much. Video chats still feel somewhat artificial to me and I never have a good convo online.