 America
Online and Yahoo! Messenger's instant-messaging clients (AIM and
ICQ) have long been the titans of the instant-messaging arena. One
of their key strategies for wooing customers is their ability to
layer the extras, ranging from news tickers to free Internet phone
calls to Java-based IM clients that you can run from a Web page.
The two companies even duked out who provides the best emoticons.
Despite all of their maneuvering, the two have remained in a dead
heat for instant-messaging superiority—until now. Yahoo! has officially
one-upped the competition with its introduction of streaming-image
chatting. Attach a Webcam to your Windows-based PC to send an amusing,
albeit spotty, real-time video of yourself to anyone you're chatting
with.
If you aren't already a Yahoo! Messenger member, you can download
the latest version of the instant messaging program (4.1.0.993 as
of this writing) for free at http://messenger.yahoo.com/. Generally,
it's best to uninstall an old version of a program before installing
the new one, but Messenger's installation overwrites any previous
version and lets you sign on immediately. Assuming your Webcam is
attached and working correctly, you're ready to start broadcasting
your visage to anyone on your buddy list who wants to see it.
Broadcasting, however, isn't an automatic process. You must first
select Start My Webcam from the Tools menu. A box automatically
pops up warning that Yahoo! has the right to terminate your account
if it finds you've violated its terms of service (http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/)
with the Webcam functionality. Don't worry: You can opt to shut
this warning off for future broadcasts. The My Webcam window then
lets you activate the broadcast. In broadcast preferences, you have
the option of assigning viewing rights to everyone on your buddy
list or creating a select subset of names. A pause button temporarily
suspends the broadcast in case you need to step away or there's
something you'd rather not share. You can also make this broadcast
available to anyone in a Yahoo! chat room or via a GeoCities Web
page.
Viewers can choose whether or not they want to view the video.
If they wish to see the transmission, they must right-click your
name in their Messenger list and request to see the broadcast. Viewers
will also be subjected to a small ad that cannot be disabled.
Webcam broadcast is a logical step forward for instant messaging.
Just don't expect Messenger's Webcam capability to provide Jetson-like
video phoning, even if used in conjunction with its Net2Phone-powered
voice services. The broadcast frame rate for the fuzzy 160- by 120-pixel
video stream is about one frame every 2 seconds. It's even slower
when coupled with voice data on a dial-up line.
The service works with any Webcam, but Yahoo! struck a deal with
Logitech to bundle the free software with all new Logitech Webcam
units. The limitations of bandwidth and camera availability leave
Yahoo!'s Webcam implementation less of a tool than a novelty. But
it's a great way to save some cash on your long-distance bills when
you want some face time with friends and family.
- Price: free download. Logitech cameras bundling Yahoo! Messenger
range from $49.99 direct (QuickCam Express) to $149 (QuickCam
Traveler)
- Requires: Microsoft Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, or NT; Microsoft
Internet Explorer 4.01 or higher Company:
- Yahoo! Inc., Sunnyvale, CA 408-349-3300
- messenger.yahoo.com
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