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Let's face it: virtual face-to-face conversations with people from Antarctica to Zanzibar make video chat the most intimate form of telecommunications yet. Free video chat apps like Camshare's Camfrog Video Chat let you meet and chat with far-flung friends; there's just no way text messages can substitute for two people actually talking to each other, no matter how many emoticons you use.
While Camfrog is optimized for video chat, it's a full-featured chat client that also handles audio and text messaging, file swapping, and other functions. Camfrog isn't the largest chat network, which isn't necessarily a disadvantage! It offers what the others do, generally speaking, including the ability to create your own password-protected chat rooms. Of course, you'll need a Webcam to use Camfrog's video chat feature. We tried Camfrog in both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7.
Installing, registering for, and signing on to Camfrog took just a minute or so. We could sign on to the Camfrog network automatically, save our password, and sign on as invisible, which hides your status from other users. Camfrog's compact interface has a Firefox-style start button (only green instead of orange) that opens a long menu of features and options. Camfrog displayed our screen name with a drop-down menu that let us quickly manage our connection and session. The main view has three tabs: Contacts, Rooms, and Phone/SMS. Camfrog's main features include the main Camfrog room, Video Chat Rooms, Search for Camfrog Users, and Parental Controls. Beneath the main view is a row of icons accessing the Notification List, Video Chat Rooms, Search for Camfrog Users, Send an Instant Message, and Add to Contact List. Users who need more features can click a link to download Camfrog Pro.
Camfrog offers a diverse range of chat rooms covering lots of topics. Online chat can be freewheeling and inappropriate for youngsters, and the problem is critically compounded by video. Camfrog's approach gives parents and other concerned users control over who uses the service, and when, and how. Camfrog Video Chat brings the world to your desktop, and with the greatest of ease.
Camfrog:Publisher's Description
From Camshare:
Camfrog Video Chat allows you to join real streaming video chat rooms where you can hear, see, and chat with many people at a time. Instant message a user to get to know them before you Webcam chat, and add them to your contact list. This videoconferencing software also works behind most firewalls and routers. Camfrog Video Chat allows multi-user videoconferencing where you can join a room with up to 1000 users and just click a user name to begin seeing someone. Press the 'talk' button to talk to the entire room with audio. The video chat rooms are hosted by broadband users who are running the Camfrog Video Chat Room Server software so any user can set up their own multi-user video conference for other users to join.
What's new in this version: Fixed Ctrl-A for room input box. Updated language packs. Various bug fixes and stability enhancements.
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All versions:
3.8 starsout of 2,476 votes
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Current version:
2.5 starsout of 2 votes
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My rating:
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Results 1-2 of 2
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"Unique Program"
Version: Camfrog Video Chat 6.1.151
Pros
Multi-video chat rooms are great!
Audio chat capabilities while in the room are also great for open mic nights/karaoke, and discussions.
There is private chat features: Send photos, video, audio or 1 on 1 video calling (and can use while in a room)
Different country servers to choose from, you can meet people from ALL over!
Mac OSX and PC versions
Moderators in rooms most of the time to keep annoying users out
Increased security to keep minors OUT of the rooms
Frequent Updates to the program with new features!Cons
It is pricey for those of you who got pro after 2010. They have always charged a $49.9 fee, however now it's per year as opposed to a lifetime fee. This may turn off some users from going pro, and I have noticed (since i've been on since 2003) that the user count of pro users is severely reduced.
This is really the only negative aspect, but I've still been seeing people purchase pro licenses anyway.
Also, customer service isn't the best when it comes to issues. I've only ever had to email them a few times. I did get a replacement code once, with ease, but another time I emailed for issues with the actual program connection, I received no response ever to my emails. Also some of their admins can be testy when you ask about updates, they're not exactly the most "professional" but you really don't need to email that often.Summary
It's a great program, it's unique with it's multi-video environment (icuii doesn't quite match it), lot's of great features, and you get to meet lot's of interesting people. A bit pricey today, but that's the economy for ya! and this is a business, and for it to stay on it's feet it has to find ways to do so.
Also, I would rely more on other users for program assistance versus emailing camfrog directly, at least as much as possible. They are more willing and responsive, because they tend to care a lot about their users who come int their rooms. (Most of these users pay for rented chat space with no income in return, so they do take the time to ensure the visitors are taken care of.) -
"expensive and Unusefull."
Version: Camfrog Video Chat 6.1.151
Pros
let me think!
Cons
expensive just for chatting, I think there are plenty of free beters programs.
used to be good program for video chat, now if you want it $$$$$.
loosing tons of users, you now log in and all rooms are emptySummary
The truth, do not pay for this, this is a program that will soon stop working, you may end up buying a key for camfrog, and another for paltalk, same crap.
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