How do I use my webcam in IM?

How to use a webcam when doing IM with a contact?

• I have a webcam and want to use it on Yahoo. I can find no icon that I can click on to connect with a contact. How do I use it?

• Answer:

  Plug in your webcam and visit this site - Hit 'Allow' in the top window and check your cam in the left hand panel. Do not proceed if the camera fails to work here, but concentrate on your webcam software / drivers http://www.testmycam.com/ Having proved your cam is working ,you can configure it to Yahoo Messenger 10. COMPATIBILITY WITH YAHOO MESSENGER You MUST use Internet Explorer to visit this page, with your webcam plugged in, to check compatibility and automatically download the latest webcam control. Make sure your webcam broadcasts on this page before moving on http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/messenger/messenger10/webcam/mstacamtest.html CONFIGURE SOFTWARE Its good practice to disconnect and re-connect your webcam before you start - if you have been using it elsewhere the Yahoo software may have difficulty in locating it. Mine, I just unplug it from the USB and plug it back in, if yours is integral with the computer you will have to re-start the computer, use a keyboard shortcut or disable / enable the webcam from the Device Manager. Of all the chat programs, Yahoo is the most painful software to set up but if you follow these instructions you should be ok. INTERNET CONNECTION Webcam connected Open messenger - on top toolbar. Left click ( > ) Messenger > Preferences > Connection - Select 'no proxies' or 'connect direct to the internet' depending on the version of messenger you have make sure your internet connection and country are correct in the lower two boxes > Apply > OK TESTING > Messenger > My webcam - the warning panel will launch, click 'OK' and your webcam will start. You should be rewarded at this stage with your happy smiling face. SET WEBCAM DEFAULT With webcam still running > Messenger > Preferences > Webcam Broadcast > Camera Source - set your webcam as default using dropbox. > Camera Settings - adjust settings to suit. > Apply > OK Take a note of any additional software, if you have multiple choice for Camera Source, you may wish to uninstall any redundant webcam software later to prevent conflicts AUDIO Open Video and Voice - run through your default equipment and make a test call - click OK PERMISSION OPTIONS > Messenger > Preferences > Webcam - make your default equipment selections and who you will allow to view you > Apply > OK IN USE When you are both on line and wish to show your webcam > Actions > 'Invite to view my webcam'. Messenger 10:- > Actions > More Actions > invite to view my webcam. This will launch an invitation on your contacts screen when they 'Accept' your webcam broadcast will start- There can be considerable time lag ( +1 minute) before they see you, so don't be too impatient ( You can check the status on the bottom left of your webcam panel. You can 'drag and drop' the frame to a convenient location by grabbing the top border. Your contacts may need to configure their connection the same as INTERNET CONNECTION above (Ignoring webcam connected) if they get a "webcam not connected" message Sometimes you may have to broadcast the 'small image' option from the 'Webcam' menu on the top of your image frames. This happens when one of you is down on resources -its like sending a large photo by email - its quicker if you cut the size down you can zoom up to 200% from the same menu when the webcam picture comes through Use the 'Always on top' option from the 'webcam' menu - or your image will disappear under the message window when you type a message