Friday Question #131
Have you tried video chat on your computer? Why or why not? If yes, do you like it?
I tried video chat for the first time when I was in DC in May. My tiny netbook has a camera in it, so it was easy for me and Steven to talk to each other (using gchat).
I used it again (once) when Steven was in Kansas City over the past few weeks, then we used it on Saturday to talk to his dad and brother, and later, my sister.
This is how we greeted Steven’s dad and brother:
We have dual monitors set up, so I had the chat open in one screen, and Darth Vader and Yoda soundboards on the other screen, so I could press the buttons to make Darth Vader and Yoda noises when they answered the video call. Ha ha ha. I think they liked it.
Don’t worry, I didn’t wear that mask the whole time, and I don’t wear it around the house or anything…
Oh look, there’s Steven!
Yeah, yeah, I am a dork.
Like I said last week, I really like video chat, especially compared to talking on the phone, so I am going to try to convince more people to do it with me. I just feel less distracted than talking on the phone. And it feels more personal! Okay, and you can be really goofy.
Themocracy
Too funny! I used video chat all the time while living abroad — it was a free way to talk to my family and see their faces at the same time.
Love it! (your photos… I have no idea about video chat).
I suspect I would enjoy video chat but I have never tried it. I mostly communicate via text or via a chat system like gchat or AIM. I’ll talk on the phone too but I mostly don’t like the phone. Not sure why.
That’s hilarious … love it … I’m sure they were surprised!
I used video chat years ago when I was in a long distance relationship. Today, I use it to talk to my brother every few weeks … seems it’s easier for him to do it that way than to pick up a phone … go figure.
Hahahahahaha! Too funny! Also, I can’t believe you have an actual Darth Vader mask. Actually, wait, yes I can 🙂
I’ve never done video chat (no web cam on my computer) but my parents use it all the time when my step-dad is traveling. Way easier and cheaper than international phone calls!
Sadly, I have many Darth Vader masks. People kept getting them for me for awhile.
You should get a cam and try it with your mom! She would be fun to chat with. 🙂
I love video chat. I use it all the time to talk to my husband 🙂 It is definitely a lifesaver when your significant other is across the world! The feed gets kind of choppy in Afghanistan but it’s still great. I love the star wars theme. Reminds me of the brother in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. 🙂
I used it when Hubs was traveling, it was a lot of fun and we got to connect a lot easier than running up international call bills. My mom has just discovered it and it allowes her to talk to her sisters in South America.
I use skype mostly with my mom – we both get a cup of coffee and it feels like we are sitting together in a cafe!
I used to use video chat to talk to my b/f when we were long distance! It was way better then just using the phone, it’s so nice to actually SEE the person!
hahahaha that’s hilarious! love it! i’ve never video-chatted, because i’ve never had a computer w/a camera. although my new work laptop has one (as i accidentally discovered one day while working all slumped over on my couch, laptop on lap, when i suddenly found myself staring back at a VERY unattractive angle of myself…!)
Ooo, I imagine YOU would be a lot of fun to chat with 🙂
Hahaha, yes, you are a dork, but a funny dork. Very creative 🙂 I’ve never video-chatted. It kind of freaks me out. I’m afraid I’d forget that I was on camera and start picking my nose or something. I guess I’m lucky in that I’m hardly ever apart from Lawrence, and he’s the only one I can really imagine video chatting with. I’m fine with email and phone otherwise 😉
That’s hilarious! You should try chatroulette sometime in that get up, beware of the masturbators though!
I use skype quite a bit these days because I live so far from friends and family now. I like it for the most part, I love the personal connection of being able to see someone’s face. Downside is unlike you I tend to be more distracted by my own image and I want to watch myself more than the person I’m chatting with. I think it makes me more self conscious. I also find that the chat freezes up a lot, still trying to figure out if it’s a problem with skype, the internet connection, webcam problem or all of the above. Despite the issues I still enjoy it quite a bit. My friends and I are always trying to coordinate “Skype Dates” with each other.
Where’d you get that sweet Yoda?? 😉 Next you need to get the R2D2 Droid!! YOU HAVE TO!
LOL. Are YOU getting it for me?
I don’t recall where that schweet Yoda came from… hmm…
That’s funnnny!
I have Skype, never really tried it, but maybe I can test it out with you? Do you have Skype?
I just added skype – my user name is kimilax. When do you want to chat? I CAN FINALLY MEET MANNY!
bahaha that’s too much. Love it!
I’ve used Skype before and it’s pretty cool:)
You are TOO funny – LOVE the Darth Vader mask…
I’ve never done it – no camera on my computer – but it looks like a lot of fun!
You are FUNNY. Sitting here laughing at my desk. 🙂
The only person I talk to long distance is my parents, and I don’t need them to see when I’m zoning out while they’re talking. 😉 Ha!
I don’t have a camera for my computer so it’s a moot point. But it looks like you can definitely have some fun with it! Tee hee.
It’s funny, I’ll use it when I travel but at home I barely use it. Skype is my flavor of choice, but I’d love for FaceTime to be adopted more widely.
If more friend had facetime, I’d use it all the time.
I haven’t even heard of FaceTime!
Isn’t that what the 2-way video on the iPhone 4 is called? (and new iPod Touch?)
I love video chat! I’ve skyped with my friends a few times and it is SO much better than talking on the phone or whatever. It’s just really nice being able to see faces/bodies/reactions.
Hahaha I love it!! I want a Darth Vader mask too :).
Video chat is great and I’m pretty sure I’ll do a lot of that in the future what with my boyfriend being in Colombia and all..
I videochat with one of my friends from college, and we have a pretty good time. I’ve never dressed up though…
THIS IS AWESOME.
that is all
(never video chatted, but I plan to get iPhone 4 w/ facetime eventually!)_
Oh my gosh, that’s hilarious! I am not a big video chatter. I think I’ve used Skype once…
I’ve been doing video chat for years now, most of the time using Skype when traveling. MSN and AIM have supported video chat for some time now and I use those when I need to see someone instead of just a text chat session.
Now this Star Wars sound board stuff I’ve not tried before. I may have to seek this one out, being the Star Wars fan I am. That could really spice up video chat.