This seems like a simple question: is there a way to do voice chat (i.e. Internet phone) over the internet for users on different platforms? Specifically, I'm runing Mac OS X 10.2 and my chat partner is running a PC (version unknown, Windows presumed; probably whatever was most recent about 8 months ago when she bought it).
She wanted to do Yahoo Chat, but the voice chat seems to be only working with the Windows version. Suggestions?
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I believe AOL Instant Messagner will do the trick. I tried it once a while back in the office over a fast connection. But to tell you the truth, it wasn't worth it. Not sure if the OSX version has it, but the OS9 version did and may work wiht classic. There is also Mac2Phone for computer to phone connections and QuickVoice for talking email.
My current favourite video/audio conferencing software is iVisit. <http://www.ivisit.com>
It has clients for MacOS 8/9, Windows, and now a working beta for MacOS X as well. Did I mention that it was free?
Aol Instant Messenger did have voice chat for a while that worked cross platform as well, but they have "temporarily disabled" it "in this version". It is not in the MacOS classic nor X versions right now.
Another cross platform solution used to be PGPfone, but it has since been discontinued. You can try it anyway at <http://www.pgpi.org/produ
However, at this time, I would highly recommend iVisit.
Have a great day!
MacWhack, I hate to point out the obvious, but if you had read my comment, right above your own, you would have seen that I already suggested PGPfone, although it has been discontinued. I even give the link to <http://www.pgpi.org/produ
Have a great day!
There is another program available, RogerWilco. I have used it with before. The mac version is in beta and is unsupported but it is freeware (mac version, windows version is shareware). It is primarly for voice chat while playing games, myself and two of my friends used it while playing unreal tournament. It seems to work fairly well. Just because it is designed for voice chat while gaming doesnt mean it has to be used that way. It is a stand alone program.
Here is the link for the Mac beta: http://rogerwilco.gamespy.
Venabili: I would like to point out that baylejs did not actually provide a correct answer. AOL Instant Messenger for Mac does not support voice conferencing anymore, neither in X or in Classic mode, as I mentioned in my comment. He then went on to recommend computer to phone, or talking e-mail software, neither of which fits with the original request.
Although I expect that I will not get credit for providing my comment that iVisit _IS_ a working, cross platform, video/audio conferencing software, I certainly do not think you should split the points to baylejs.
All that said, there is now yet another player on the market: Apple's own iChat AV. The absolute latest version (2.1 released this week, requiring MacOS X 10.3 "Panther") supports Videochat with windows users running the latest version of the AIM client. However, you need to have a camera attached to your PC, as it does not currently support audio-only chat.
Have a great day!
-Curtis
Hi Venabili, i'll point out that as signaled by madmacmike, RogerWilko really works, is small an free!
You only have to know you IP or the one of your chat partner, you can even chat with more peoples in the same "channel".
Once again, little, standalone, free !
BTW obviously the voice quality is not the better one seen the program is not using latest VOIP techiques.
Best.
hey, I found a perfect solution for mac to PC voice chat. www.skype.com
skype works on all platforms mac, pc, linux, pocket PC. you can even transfer files between different platforms.
Also, the voice quality of skype is better than any other voice chat software.
Ok in case anyone is still checking this:
MSN for Mac: Instant Message, file sending
MSN Win: IM, FIle, Video and voice
www.msn.com
Yahoo Mac: IM, File, Video
Yahoo Win: IM, File, Video and Audio
www.yahoo.com
ICQ 2003b Pro Mac: IM, File, will talk to AIM/AOL and iChatAV
ICQ 2003b Pro Win: IM, File , will talk to AIM/AOL and iChatAV
audio/video plug-in available for windows version.
www.icq.com
Roger WIlco: Voice only (mac beta version no longer available on www.rogerwilco.com )
iChat AV: Mac software, audio video and will work with the latest versoins of AIM for video/voice chats
Skype: IM,File, Voice on both versions. Looks pretty good.
www.skype.com
iVisit: IM,Voice, Video, file share on both (some limitations on free version) www.ivisit.com works great
xmeeting (mac only): appearently this open source project is a MAC-MAC, Mac to phone software. Mention of it being able to talk to Microsoft netmeeting is mentioned at version tracker. Weed originaly posted this URL http://www.versiontracker.
PGP phone can still be found and does work, however unless you need to encrypt your PC-PC or PC to phone calls then one of the others would be a better choice.Mac and Win versions here: http://www.pgpi.org/produc
MadMacMike
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by: weedPosted on 2002-11-30 at 23:45:06ID: 7516309
Video and voice conferencing software went through a boom back in the 90's. It was quite popular and everybody did it. Software like ICU was abundant. Nobody seems to do it anymore and the software isnt nearly as prevalent. You can find a few obscure tools at versiontracker.com.