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Hello, I have a question about adware and spyware when downloading free programs for video messaging and conferencing. Years ago, Skype had adware, etc. in its program. Is there anyone using Skype that would know if there is anything added currently in their program?
I would be using video messaging with family relatives, so I would not want an open chat room but would want something private.
What would be the best free program to use? I have heard about Sightspeed and have read about a couple of others but am hesitant about downloading them because of adware.
Thanks everyone for your help.Hello and welcome to BBB! There are a number of options you can use. I will presume you want to do more than a simple one on one (for which I’d highly recommend Windows Live Messenger as the voice and video are very reliable) and figure you to converse with multiple family members at one time.
If you want an option that doesn’t force you to download anything you could try Tokbox. I’ve had marginal success with it. The voice/video messaging is fantastic, but we did have a bit of an echo when trying it with multiple people several months ago, but I admit I’ve not tried it since that time for multiple people. The plus is that it’s all online and no download is required, just a simple registration. This is an Adobe Flash based system so you will need the latest stable version and you have to allow your mic and webcam to use Flash.
You could also use Yahoo voice conference and broadcast your webcam through Yahoo (tho I personally don’t care for the Yahoo webcam feature and it has been rife with problems lately.) You do have control over who can see your webcam, and the voice conference is fantastic. We’ve had as many as 12 people in at one time with no problems.
Hope this helps a little.
Thanks David and Patndoris for your answers.
And to answer Patndoris…I just need a simple one on one service that would be private. I have in the past had spyware from free programs so that is why I am careful about downloading. So both you would recommend Tokbox, Windows live Messenger maybe Yahoo and Skype?
Thanks again.For one on one voice and video – I’d recommend Windows Live Messenger. Rarely do I have any problems with it (once it’s set up properly) and the service is consistant (unlike Yahoo which has been plagued with issues lately.) You also have the option of full screen which is kind of nice.
Tokbox is fine if you don’t want to download, or want to leave a voice or video email for your friends/family, but given a choice for live conversation – it would still be WLM. Skype is OK, but it’s far from my favorite. I’d use Yahoo before Skype most of the time.
I personally like having a bit of mobility when I’m up for a long video chat, and I choose to use a Bluetooth earbud (like what you’d use with your cell phone) so I can get up and walk away from the webcam and still be able to talk and hear clearly. However, a headset and cam, or cam with integrated mic and you regular speakers will work just as well. Sometimes there can be a bit of feedback with regular speakers so you (or your contact) might need to adjust a bit. A headset is preferred by most of the people I talk with.
For the best voice and video on WLM uPnP should be enabled. You can go to Unplug’n’Pray for a nice little app you can download to your desktop to make this easy in XP. Or you can go to your admin tools in control panel and look at your services and enable it.
Let me know if I can be of any further assistance. I do voice all the time, and have spent quite a bit of time with video as well.
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