With our busy lives today, do you find it's difficult to stay in touch with friends and family who live close by, never mind anyone else who live in different cities or countries? Times have changed since email was introduced.
We are no longer writing letters as much, instead opting for email because it saves time and the stamp for mailing.
Email is easy to use and available anytime and virtually anywhere in the world.
As we move forward, technology has changed the way we communicate.
We live in the digital world.
Most of us either have a digital camera, ipod, MP3 player, digital cell phone or PDA.
We're also downloading music online, storing photos, networking online and producing videos for viewing via YouTube or MySpace and others similar in offerings.
Most of the content we see, hear and read is delivered through these digital devices.
With the emerging digital revolution, whether we like it or not, we're heading in that direction.
From Reuters, Jan 27,2007 Bill Gates, Microsoft Chairman "The internet is set to revolutionize television within five years, due to an explosion of online video content and the merging of PCs and TV sets.
The rise of high-speed internet and the popularity of video sites like Google Inc.
's YouTube have already led to a worldwide decline in the number of hours spent by young people in front of a TV set" What do you need? Having a web camera, headset is all you need to communicate face to face instantly and anywhere in the world.
You can see, hear and chat with others in real time.
Talk about instant gratification! Once the equipment is in place, connect via the internet and sign up for your account.
The best part is it's cost effective and easy to use.
How It Works Firstly, communicating online requires an internet connection.
Dial up connection is fine for text messaging however for video streaming, a high speed connection improves the bandwidth speed to upload the video file.
The quality and bandwidth is important because you won't have to worry about freeze framing and broken thread conversations.
There are many messaging software companies providing this type of service.
VM Direct's helloWorld products provide quality streaming video at a very low price for the consumer without any software downloads.
It's an account you sign up and the information is held in their secured server.
The best thing is it doesn't take up any space on your own PC's hard drive.
Sign up your account with log in, password and you're ready to begin Messaging software is required to link up with others.
Macintosh comes with iChat, while PC users may choose from MSN Messenger or AOL Instant Messenger.
Software required may be downloaded from the internet.
Make sure the software you select is compatible with your system.
For videoconferencing on Macs, you'll need iChat and PCs, AIM 5.
9.
Both require User ID and password.
Once your account is up and running, you can start adding your address book of friends and family.
When you want to chat, click on their name or picture and start talking.
With video capabilities, you can see each other while you're chatting.
On helloWorld, you can have up to 4 people talking at the same time.
This is taking family conversations to a whole new level.
Imagine, visiting friends and family from anywhere on the planet.
Cameras are becoming very inexpensive to purchase.
See webcam considerations.
Text vs Video? VM Direct has the most comprehensive products available without having to download any software.
VM Direct offer video emailing with banners, post pictures or graphics next to your email box as you're speaking.
They also offer video blogging, podcasting, live webcasting which is like having your own TV show, social networking, storing of music, photos and more! Sending text for chatting is also available but why when you can see and hear the person you're talking to? Also, have you ever sent a text message when it was misunderstood? When speaking face to face and seeing the facial expressions can only make communication clearer.
No need to use emotion icons.
Text messaging will go by the wayside in the next 3-5 years.
Calling VOIP To speak with someone via the computer, a headset, microphone and web cam is required.
Most cameras or computers now have built in microphones.
To use services with Skype or MSN, click on "call" to connect.
Voice over internet protocol (VOIP) is becoming more popular versus the traditional method of calling on the telephone.
The call is virtually free or for overseas, the rate is nominal.
With Skype, you can sign up for a phone number with the same area code (or country code, in many cases) as your friends or family.
This allows them to contact you on your computer from any phone at the local rate.
A pre-paid phone card is purchased for the time.
Again, consider how much set up time the software you're using to determine the best method for your communication.
Video Chatting or Conferencing Talking face to face via video is the closest thing to being together without physically being there.
Having both parties using a webcam will allow each other to see on their computer screen.
The image should be clear.
Sitting in a well lit area is important.
If sitting in a darker area, the person may seem like their word and mouth match is off key.
The key to hearing the other person clearly without the feedback or noise level is to wear a headset.
If not, the microphone will pick up on the voice coming through and bouncing it back to the person speaking.
The next time you feel like connecting with friends or family, send them a video email or connect via chatting online.
To take it even further, broadcast live your family BBQ, wedding, child's school play or any day to day activities you wish to share with others unable to attend in person.
It's like visiting with them in your own living room or where ever you may be.
Virtual coffee anyone? Webcam Considerations:

1)Software and Web Camera - there are different brands such as Logitech, Creative Labs, Microsoft, Labtech and Phillips to name a few.
Be sure the quality of the picture and color is good.
A web cam may be used for more than video chatting.
Video emailing is becoming more popular to communicate instead of text messaging.
Others are using it to monitor their home remotely.
Most web cams now have microphones built in the camera.
Be sure it does otherwise a separate microphone is necessary.
The software will be included in the packaging or the latest download is available via the company website.
2)Image Resolution - for video, most cameras capture thirty VHS quality (320 by 240 pixels) frames per second.
This is adequate for small quarter size clips of your screen.
For video streaming or full size screen video, look for a model that captures 640 by 480 pixels, or DVD quality frames.
The larger the pixels, the clearer the picture.
3)Internet Connection - the type of connection is important for quality as well as the upload speed of the video file.
The more pixels are per frame, the more data is sent.
High speed internet or higher is best for video streaming.
If your connection is slow, it may cause choppy videos as well as freeze framing the picture.
Therefore, dial up or slower connections use a web cam with a lower resolution.
Wireless internet connection may tend to be a bit slower as well.
Hard wired to cable is optimal.
4)Lens - a camera with a glass lens tend to have a sharper image.
Cameras with a glass lens range anywhere from $50 and up.
Plastic lens are available on lower prices cameras so the picture will tend to be fuzzy.
In this case, the likelihood of what you pay is what you get.