My friend John Haley has been using Sightspeed Real-Time Internet Video Communications and is really happy with it. This is a video instant messaging service for Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh that works at up to 30-frames-per-second.

Here are some tips that John offered for using this service:

• Go with their webcam recommendations. Top cameras are:
  • Logitech Quickcam for Notebooks,
  • Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000,
  • Logitech Quickcam Orbit, and
  • Apple iSight FireWire Webcam for Apple computers.
• Use a separate microphone or headset.
• Make sure you have adequate lighting aimed at you for your webcam to pick up a quality image.

John says, "I've been using it and it's lots of fun. There is a 'buddy list' so you can see who is online with Sightspeed and 'ring' them up."

The cost of this service is $4.95 per month for unlimited use. It can be used for 15 days on a free trial basis. If cost is an issue, you can continue to use it for free for up to 15 minutes per day for as long as you like.