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Sept 2005

The latest version of MSN Messenger 7.5 adds FULL SCREEN Video capability along with some improved video fixes and minor look and feel.

Nov 2004

Microsoft Releases MSN Messenger 7.0 BETA - MSN Messenger has a new BETA version available for download.  It adds enhancements to the IM portion.  The Webcam and Audio are basically the same.

• http://messenger.msn.com/Beta/Default.aspx

InternetVisitation rates this a - 1234…

Nov 12, 2004

SightSpeed 3.0 released - adds more features!.  SightSpeed features just got better.  SightSpeed now supports the sending of Video Mail and the ability of doing up to a 4 person multi-conference.  The nice thing about the Video Mail is that it is stored on the SightSpeed website so the size of the email sent is VERY small.  GREAT feature SightSpeed !!!! 

You are limited to a slower frame rate limited minutes for the "free" version, but if calling a paid subscription user, you have unlimited minutes with the paid subscriber.

• http://www.sightspeed.com/

InternetVisitation rates this a - 1234…

July 30th, 2004 - This is a MUST TRY piece of software

Skype releases official version 1.0 !!  Skype is no longer Beta and is ready for prime time.

• http://www.skype.com/skype.html

Skype is by far the BEST free tool available on the Internet I have ever found!  I cannot say enough about this fine piece of software for talking with your friends and family members PC to PC.  It even works over a 56k dial-up modem connection !!!  I tested it in a 3 way conference call with my friend and cousin and one of them was using a 56k dial-up connection and it worked just fine.  Granted, hi-speed works much better, but if a modem is all you have and you want to keep the cost down for Virtual Visitation Calls, this is the way to go !!

Skype also has the ability of making PC to land line phone calls and it works GREAT and is cheap!  Granted, you have to purchase what is known as "SkypeOut" minutes, just like a calling card in Euro's, but the calls are only $.012 per minute.  When I am on the road I can phone home and check messages on my cell and home from my laptop wherever I am and call my friends for only a few cents anywhere in the world.

InternetVisitation rates this a - 1234…

"This is the BEST free software I have ever used on the Internet" - Michael Gough

June 30th, 2004

New - Microsoft XP Power Toys Webcam TimerShot utility

You can use this tool to capture pictures from your webcam every X minutes.  Overwrite the file or create a new one every time.  You could use it for surveillance, weather, or just any idea you have.

Here is a screenshot of the utility.

You can download it from Microsoft here:

• http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

InternetVisitation rates this a - 1234…

May 10th, 2004

New - Yahoo Instant Messenger releases Beta version 6.0.

Yahoo has made available Beta Version 6.0 for you to test and use.  It adds several much needed improvements:

• The video screen can now be enlarged !
• Much better quality video than before !!
• The addition of Games that CAN be played while in a video call !!!

Some things that I found in my initial tests were that the audio and gaming had connection issues, could be the time of day.  I also could not get "Super Mode" to work between my two machines with port 5100 opened to both systems.  Yahoo still allows you to use video without audio, so you can use Skype for example for the audio portion.  I am glad they left this feature intact.

Download it now and give it a try and let us know what you think....

• http://messenger.yahoo.com/beta/winbeta.php

InternetVisitation rates this a - 12ƒ45