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For those looking for a Skype or Yahoo Messenger alternative, Camfrog Video Chat is an option to consider. While we found it easy to use, we ran into a few difficulties trying to join some of its chat rooms.
Camfrog's user interface is clean and simple, although it reminds us a bit too much of Apple's iChat application. Still, it isn't intimidating and has all the primary functions accessible so you won't waste valuable minutes reading the Help files. Just like in Skype or YM, you need to create a contact list first, but the application isn't limited to messaging; it also provides a place to meet people through its long list of video chat rooms. Unfortunately, Camfrog for Mac wasn't at its peak performance during our testing. We wanted to join several video chat rooms, but we got kicked out of some, as the application couldn't recognize our built-in iSight camera.
When compared with the Windows application, we found that Camfrog for Mac has certain limitations. For instance, we couldn't retrieve a contact's profile details by hovering the cursor over the video window. You can access the user's public information by locating him or her using the Locate User feature, which seems a bit Skype-ish.
Camfrog is a good free application for both personal and professional use (due to its videoconferencing feature), providing what you'd expect from the name: easy video chat.
Camfrog Video Chat for Mac - Join in multiple video chats all over the world - Download Video Previews: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. No Webcam is required to see people, but some rooms might not allow users without Webcams. Camfrog Video Chat is optimized for broadband users so it has fast video.
What's new in this version:
- MacOS X 10.8 compatibility.
- Numerous bug fixes.
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All versions:
3.8 starsout of 5 votes
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Current version:
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Results 1-5 of 5
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"good for couple we can hear..see n talk with each other"
Version: Camfrog Video Chat 2.5.3209
Pros
i like its interface
Cons
everything its ok
Summary
good variant
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"not all that"
Version: Camfrog Video Chat 2.5.3209
Pros
works fine
Cons
want an upgrade
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"Good app for the working life"
Version: Camfrog Video Chat 2.5.3209
Pros
I like its interface
Cons
I had some issues with Mac OS 10.7. But now everything is ok.
Summary
I was searching for the alternative to Skype. And I have found a good variant.
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"Slowly improving but not as good as Windows version"
Version: Camfrog Video Chat 2.1.3076
Pros
Mac version has been very slowly improving over past 2 years. Now it's fairly usable.
Recent annoying bugs (eg cam not recognised when entering room) are getting ironed out.Cons
User interface still needs a lot of improvement.
Video quality on Mac isn't great - the same webcam produces much better video quality with other programs (eg iChat, Skype).
Windows version more fully featured and better video quality.Summary
About a year ago, I'd describe the Mac version as more or less unusable. It's been gradually improving but it's still got a long way to go and progress seems pretty slow. The Windows version is noticeably better.
Main issues for me are video quality and user interface issues. My webcam (iSight) looks pretty poor on Camfrog, even though video quality is excellent on iChat, Skype, etc. But it's better than it used to be.
The User Interface is still pretty weak. It's missing a number of features from the Windows version and is annoyingly limited. A few examples:
You can't see a contact's summary profile details by hovering the cursor over their video window, you have to hover over their name in a room list for a couple of seconds and even then it's very hit and miss (you have to get the cursor in exactly the right place for at least 2 seconds, which can be hard when room lists are constantly changing and names move up and down the list). As far as I can find, you can't access these details at all in a 1-to-1 chat (other than by going to their profile in a web browser).
It's difficult to locate a contact when they message you - you have to copy their username then paste (or type) it into a Locate User find box. There should be a Locate button on the chat window header and a contextual menu item when you right-click on their chat window and on their video window.
In fact, there's a need for a LOT more contextual menu items to do all the main functions when you right click on any entity or window.
Adding a room to your favourite rooms list is painful. Again, I usually end up trying to copy the room name and paste it into the Add box. There should be a button when you're in the room and a contextual menu item to do it as well.
There are quite a few other annoying UI weaknesses, but at least the core functionality now seems to work fairly well.
It's a pity that the current version of Camfrog is Intel-only. The last version that ran on PPC processors will no longer work with current room servers and Camfrog clients, so people using PPC Macs who have paid for Camfrog find themselves locked out now.
And finally, although Camfrog publishes a technical support email address, it's just a black hole. I have never had a reply from them despite sending several bug reports and requests for assistance. -
"camfrog i love it"
Version: Camfrog Video Chat 2.1.3070
Pros
i like camfrog coz i meet new friends
Cons
i dont like slow connection
Summary
i dont like nouthy boy
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