Videoconferencing For The Rest Of Us

But now an alternative has arrived in the form of free software and low-cost USB-based cameras. One notable free videoconference software package is Yahoo Messenger, a combination software and service package from Yahoo! Inc.

If your small-business or home-based customers are clamoring for inexpensive videoconferencing, this recipe can help. Or, if you'd like to add a new offering to your system-builder services, this recipe can help, too.

System builders can benefit from cheap videoconferencing, too. You can combine Messenger's remote file-transmission capabilities and remote-control applications to extend your tech-support offerings.

Here's all you'll need to get started:

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For the camera, just about any USB-based video camera will do. Keep it simple. While there are cameras on the market sporting numerous bells and whistles, for standard videoconferencing, most of these features will go unused. Also, a smaller camera that can clip to the PC monitor or even a laptop display will be the most versatile. Lower resolution is perfectly fine for most videoconferencing chores. In fact, cameras that max out at VGA resolution (640 x 480 pixels) are fine for all but the most demanding video conferences.

For superior sound quality, a noise-canceling headphone/microphone combo is best. Don't rely on either on the camera's built-in microphone or a stand-alone microphone. Neither will produce acceptable results.

For this TechBuilder.org recipe, I chose the Logitech QuickCam Web camera (now discontinued and replaced by the QuickCam Messenger), Yahoo! Messenger 5.6, and a Fujitsu Lifebook computer running Windows XP Professional. The computer was connected to a cable-modem-based broadband connection using a Linksys 802.11g wireless gateway.

I highly recommend using a broadband or high-speed internet connection for videoconferencing. While Yahoo! Messenger will work over slower dial-up connections, its video performance will suffer. Also, Yahoo! Messenger relies on a service model, which helps to ease broadband configuration issues. Most broadband routers will let the service pass through with few or no changes to the security profiles.

Videoconferencing, Step-by-Step

Step 1: Install and configure the video capture device. In our case, the Logitech QuickCam Web is natively supported by Windows XP. This makes the installation plug-and-play easy. If you're using a camera that needs additional drivers, install those drivers or any other included software following the camera vendor's instructions. These cameras may also offer their own management application.

In general, by choosing a camera that natively supported by Windows XP, you'll get increased reliability and much easier setup of third-party videoconferencing products.

The image below shows that Windows XP automatically installs the needed drivers for the Logitech QuickCam Web device and adds it to the available device list under the "My Computer" applet. You'll see the camera under the heading Scanners and Cameras:

Step 2: Test the camera. In Windows XP, first right-click on the camera icon, then select Properties. A dialog box will allow the settings to be changed, and a Test Camera option is offered. That option validates the hardware for use with Windows XP. The image below shows the Test Successful dialog box.

Step 3: Install Yahoo! Messenger. The application can be installed from this Yahoo download site. A software wizard will run from the site and walk you through the installation process. The image below shows the installation wizard's first screen:

When the Install Options screen appears as part of the Yahoo installation wizard, as shown below, select Custom. This lets you control which components are actually installed on the system.

The next screen shot shows the Custom Install Options. For instant messaging and videoconferencing, only Yahoo! Messenger needs to be installed. The other applications are not necessary for videoconferencing. They can, however, add some additional value for your customers, assuming they're set up properly.

When installation is complete, you will receive a get validation via the final screen of the installation wizard, which is shown below:

Step 4: Create a user account. After you complete the installation and launch Yahoo! Messenger, you will need to create your customer's user account with the service. Click on the Get a Yahoo! ID icon, which you'll find on the main Yahoo Messenger login screen, to open an account-creation form, shown below. (Please note: Account information on this and several other images has been obscured to protect the user's privacy.)

If your customer already has an existing Yahoo account, skip the account-creation process. Instead, move straight to login (see Step 5 below).

After filling out the initial signup form, you or your customer will be presented with an account-creation form with suggested IDs and the ability create a custom ID, as shown below. A password will be created at this time also. Always choose complex passwords to protect your customers. (Note: Personal information has been obscured for privacy protection.)

Next, the signup process will ask a few more questions to help validate an account if the password is lost. This screen also asks for a valid e-mail address to validate the account, as shown below. (Note: Personal information has been obscured for privacy protection.)

To prevent automated scripts from creating accounts on Yahoo, the service employs a validation screen, which requires the user to read and then input a code word, as shown below:

Once the account is created, the following dialog box will appear to confirm creation of the account. (Personal information has been obscured for privacy protection.)

Step 5: Log in. Once you've created the account, you or your customer can log into Yahoo! Messenger and start up the Webcam service. From the Tools menu, select Start My Webcam. This will launch a Webcam session. Then choose to broadcast images to other Yahoo! Messenger contacts during an instant-message session.

To improve resolution and frame rate, Yahoo! Messenger offers a Super mode. That mode only allows one-on-one conferencing (as opposed to one-to-many), but it greatly improves video quality. Super mode requires additional bandwidth to support the increased resolution and frame rate.

Yahoo! Messenger offers several adjustment options for using a Webcam. Your customers can fine-tune both permissions and settings to meet their needs, using the Preferences box shown below. For example, users may want to prevent callers from viewing their Webcam unless permission is granted.

Step 6: Start conferencing! Once everything is configured, select a buddy on the user's list. Then select View My Webcam. This will initiate a videoconferencing session, shown below. Click Voice if you have a microphone configured. If you don't have a mic, then simply use the telephone for the voice end of the conference. Also, you can type messages in real time using Messenger's IM screen, and you can also use the application to transmit both data files and photos.

While the Voice icon allows sound to be transmitted along with the image, most users will find using a speaker phone in conjunction with Messenger offers a better conferencing experience.

Lights, Action...

Yahoo! Messenger is a great starting point for your small-business customers who want to dabble with videoconferencing. It's an inexpensive way to get started and meet basic videoconferencing needs.

Once your customers master the basics, you can show them that, with a little experimentation, they can uncover valuable applications and additional features. For example, Yahoo! Messenger can support multiple concurrent users, for greater than one-on-one conferencing. The only real limitations are based on bandwidth and resolution constraints. Another example: Users can archive videoconferencing sessions, which can be helpful for those conducting interviews or training sessions.

All things considered, your small-business and home users should find Yahoo! Messenger an effective, low-cost alternative to other videoconferencing methods. My guess is it's a package they will never outgrow.

FRANK OHLHORST is Technology Editor at CRN.

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