How to Video Chat Online

With technology as it is today, video chatting is no longer left to the limitations of seeing your contact and typing messages. With calling features you can literally call a user's computer and have voice and video conversations. You can register for membership subscriptions with various websites that offer these services, or you can register for free memberships with others. The difference within these two choices are that with paid subscriptions the security of your content and your own safety are at a higher level than the free memberships. With the paid services, there are moderators to whom you can report unlawful actions of other users and have a better chance of securing proof of these actions. Proof is of dire importance in the event that legal action against the perpetrator is necessary.

Instructions

iVideochat

1. Step 1

   Register to use iVideochat, on the iVideochat website (ivideochat.com) by selecting "Register for Full Access." Choose check or credit card option. Select subscription. Subscriptions as of 2009, are $9.95 for 30 days, $25.95 for 90 days, and $64.95 for one year.

2. Step 2

   Enter your information on the form provided. You must provide either a valid credit card number or checking information. The form is loaded on a Secured Socket Link and is encrypted to protect your data. You will enter your user name and nickname for this website membership within this form. When complete select "Complete this purchase."

3. Step 3

   Log into your iVideochat account. Select "Users in the Lobby," with whom you wish to chat. In order to video chat with these individuals ensure there is a webcam icon beside their name. Select the user to whom you wish to chat, and an Instant Messenger-style box will appear on your screen. You will see a small video box showing the view from your webcam and a large screen view of the user with whom you are chatting.

TokBox

4. Step 1

   Sign up for TokBox free membership, on the TokBox website at tokbox.com. Enter your name, email address, and new password in the text boxes provided. Select your "Age" from the drop-down list on the screen. Select "Sign up Now."

5. Step 2

   Log into your new TokBox account by selecting "Log in" at the top right of your screen. Enter your user name and password, then select "Log in."

6. Step 3

   Select users with whom you wish to video chat. These users can be contacts from any Instant Messenger service with whom you have contacts. You may add these contacts by selecting "Add Contacts" listed under Contacts Menu. Type in their information as you would on popular Instant Messengers such as AIM or sending a request to their email address. You can also video chat with other members of TokBox by searching through the members list by selecting "Search for Friends and entering their name.

7. Step 4

   Call users with whom you intend to video chat. Select "Call user" in the upper left hand side of your chat screen. Once you select call you will hear a phone ringing. Once they answer you the view from their webcam will appear beside yours on the screen. With the TokBox service you can call multiple users within the same session. To add more user to the conversation, simply select their name and then select "Call user."