Web-cam & software?

I was promised 2 things whilst growing up- flying cars and video phones.

While I'm currently on extended leave in South America, I'd like to communicate with people back home, and I was thinking of purchasing a web-cam to do so. I noticed that IM has a video conversation feature- anyone have any experience with this? How about a camera- I need something small and portable.

Does this technology work, or are we still a few years from the "Star Trek" phone call?

And where are my flying cars?

 

I use a web-cam for video conferencing from time to time. Mostly to talk to my wife while on business trips but I've also used it for work a couple of times.

I use the Veo Mobile Connect camera. It's your basic webcam that uses USB...640x480 max resolution. The quality isn't the best, but suitable for video conferencing. The two things I like about this particular camera are that it comes with a hard case to store it in and also has a clip built on so that it can be attached to the edge of a laptop screen. Software wise, most cameras will work with any software. I've used it with NetMeeting, CuSeeMe, and a few VoIP applications; never a problem.

Of course the biggest thing is making sure you have access to speedy connection to facilitate video conferencing. Dial-up is simply not pratical and ISDN is a painful (albeit doable) experience. Another thing to keep in mind is that who you are conferncing with should also have a webcam (duh) and the same software that you're using. Most, if not all, video conferencing software is incompatiable with one another.

As long as you have a good setup, videp confernecing is a nice way to stayy in touch. I can imagine what will happen once more North American carriers start offering wireless broadbandl; every other person on a train or bus will be sitting there with a laptop and camera just chatting away. cool.

EDIT: Oh yeah, a friend of mine and I are working on the flying car. He's got various propulsion ideas, I'm the money man/pitch man/chief exec, and we're looking for propulsion and aerospace engineers willing to work pro bono until we strike it rich. ;-)

 

thanks!

I'm neither an aerospace engineer or propulsion expert, but I can test fly your design!