home videoconferencing with a Mac user

[robertlaferla at comcast.net (Robert La Ferla)]

Seth Gordon wrote:
> My mother (in Oakland, CA) uses iChat AV to have video conferences 
> with my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew (in Chicago), and they want 
> to do the same thing with me and my family.  Two problems:
>
> (1) iChat AV seems to be a Mac-specific service.
>
> (2) Neither of our laptops have FireWire ports.
>
> Any ideas (preferably ones that don't involve spending a kilobuck or 
> two on a PowerBook just for the sake of the video conferencing)?

My understanding is that iChat AV uses standard protocols. I think you 
just need a video camera (non-Apple) and software.  Also, you could get 
a MacMini for just under $500 to run it.  No need for a PowerBook.  But 
if you choose that route, I'd wait til January when Apple releases their 
new Intel-based systems at a lower price.