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.
Gone are the days you can blow off anyone on your buddy list because you are "going out of town" because they just might be able to spy on your where-a-bouts. This weekend AOL unveiled it has launched a new plug-in that allows instant message users to see where people on their buddy lists are physically located. The plug-in will work by monitoring continuous wireless pulses emitted by all Wi-Fi transmitters and Wi-Fi-enabled computers, rather than more common satellite-based approach and will be available for free download, said the AP. The plug-in will be added to AIM's buddy list window called "Near Me" and will feature the names of any buddies who opt to share their locations and who are within a set distance from the AIM user. While I am pleased there is an opt-out option here I am still unsure if I think this is a necessary or responsible idea. How will we ever get out of anything if everyone knows where we are all the time?
