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    Instant messaging programs with a webcam

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by sean_hale, Jun 3, 2010.

  1. sean_hale

    sean_hale Notebook Guru

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    I am not really a fan of instant messaging programs because they always seem so intrusive, I have now however developed a need for one so I can comunicate with family and use a web cam.
    Which is the most resource freindly and least likely to land me with all sorts of nasties on my alienware m11x?

    Many thanks
    Sean
     
    sean_hale, Jun 3, 2010
    #1
  2. MrDJ

    MrDJ Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    msn messenger is the most well known but youve also got yahoo messenger or something like skype.
     
    MrDJ, Jun 3, 2010
    #2
  3. usapatriot

    usapatriot Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I find Windows Live Messenger to be the best instant messaging program with video.
     
    usapatriot, Jun 3, 2010
    #3
  4. ronnieb

    ronnieb Representing the Canucks

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    Skype is the smoothest for sure
     
    ronnieb, Jun 3, 2010
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  5. J&SinKTO

    J&SinKTO Notebook Deity

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    MSN Messenger - then adjust the options menu to turn off functions you don't desire (i.e. automatically starting with Windows etc).
     
    J&SinKTO, Jun 3, 2010
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  6. zeeby88

    zeeby88 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yup, I agree with ronnieb. Skype is better for using webcam. :D
     
    zeeby88, Jun 3, 2010
    #6
  7. ronnieb

    ronnieb Representing the Canucks

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    Easiest to set up too :)
     
    ronnieb, Jun 3, 2010
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  8. Matt is Pro

    Matt is Pro I'm a PC, so?

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    AIM is pretty easy. Windows Messenger is also easy. And Skype being the obvious choice is also easy.

    Try them all out and see which you like best.
     
    Matt is Pro, Jun 3, 2010
    #8
  9. Kuu

    Kuu That Quiet Person

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    I'd probably say skype, you don't get ann--

    Wait you get ads with all the official clients, the ones with skype are for its own service at least.

    Ignoring that, I'd say Windows Live Messenger if you're into 1 on 1 video calls, but Skype for if you're interested in Conference calling with a lot of people at once (I think you can do it with WLM as well, but it seems a lot easier to work with in Skype.

    Why not try both and see which you like better?
     
    Kuu, Jun 4, 2010
    #9
  10. sean_hale

    sean_hale Notebook Guru

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    Thanks for all the advice folks I am going to try windows over the weekend and then have a go with skype next week.
     
    sean_hale, Jun 4, 2010
    #10
  11. Matt is Pro

    Matt is Pro I'm a PC, so?

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    Sounds like a good plan. Let us know how it goes and what you choose!
     
    Matt is Pro, Jun 4, 2010
    #11
  12. jackluo923

    jackluo923 Notebook Virtuoso

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    You can remove the ads with a program called apatch for windows live messenger.
     
    jackluo923, Jun 4, 2010
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  13. thinkpad knows best

    thinkpad knows best Notebook Deity

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    I'd recommend Palringo if it supported webcam chat, but it doesn't yet, it's free and takes up very little ressources, but pretty much full featured, registration is as simple as getting a username and password, there isn't even a email confirmation, once you get an account just sign in with that and you can add google talk, messenger account, AIM, all the major chat clients, all organized in one unintrusive client.
     
    thinkpad knows best, Jun 4, 2010
    #13
  14. Padmé

    Padmé NBR Super Pink Princess

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    I use both Yahoo messenger and Skype and they both work well with the webcam.
     
    Padmé, Jun 4, 2010
    #14