It worked…..Yeah

My second attempt at installing Ubuntu worked. Looks like I did need the 64bit .iso after all. The dual boot install was extremly fast using the Wubi installer. (I can now un-install Ubuntu using Windows Add/Remove if needed.)

My first iimpressions of the latest version of Ubuntu, WOW, everything works so far although I haven’t tried my Logitech Webcam yet. Everything is so much faster than Windows and all updates and Firefox plugins have been installed without any problems.

Now if only ooVoo made a Linux version of their excellent video chat software……Ho, Hum

Format time

I like to format my PC every year (unless something drastic happens beforehand) so today was format time. I hate doing them, making sure I have backed everything up and the thought of putting all my programs etc back on, there goes the best part of 4 hours.

I decided to set up a dual boot with XP and Ubuntu. Easy, grab a copy of Ubuntu and away we go. Wrong! looks like I used a faulty CD, had a corrupt .iso file or maybe the 32bit version doesn’t like my Pentium D 3.2….Hmmm.

I have XP all up and running and now I’m downloading the 64bit .iso and keeping my fingers crossed. Another post will follow shortly, I hope it will contain good news about my Linux install.

Social Networking – Oh the pain

I am totally over all Social Networking sites right now. When is there going to be a decent Social Network site where you can not only keep in contact with friends and family , but also meet new people without all the vampire, hot or not etc apps that adorne the sites?

Yes I have the option to not install these apps but what I think is needed is a ‘grown up’ if you like social network site.  Most of the current network sites are catering for the teen, way too much ‘Bling’.

If anyone knows of a decent Social Network please let me know.

Random Ramblings

So what has happened online this week? Well Philippe the CEO at ooVoo accepted me as a friend on Facebook (so I added him on ooVoo as well.) I have also just signed up on Shoutoo, it’s similar to Twitter so I’m waiting to see how it goes. Also just downloaded and watched the TechAU podcast and while making this entry I’m having my usual ooVoo video chat.

Did I mention Pmog? (Click the link to find out what it is all about)No, well I have been doing a few missions this week and it looks like I have made a couple of enemies. They keep leaving mines on my Pmog page and blowing me up…..ouch.

ooVoo – The changes

With the release of ooVoo 1.6 (no longer in Beta), there have been a few changes. The main ones being a FREE and Paid version. What does this mean to the average ooVoo user?

The Free version of ooVoo includes:

• 3 person video chat
• text chat
• unlimited video messages (60 seconds)
• some video effects
• file sharing

The Paid version of ooVoo includes:

• 6 person video chat
• text chat
• unlimited 5 minute video messages
• up to 1000 minutes of video storage and streaming
• lots of fun video effects
• file sharing

Cost: $10 US per month.

Phone calls to the USA & Canada are an extra $5 US per month. (500 mins on the free account and 3000 mins on the Super account)

If you are a heavy ooVoo user like myself, there is no option other than the paid ooVoo Super account.

I have received opinions from lots of people, some good, some bad. Alot are still undecided on what option to choose.

Here are my suggestions on what I think ooVoo should consider:

The FREE account – stays as it is but should include small banner ads at the bottom of the video chat window. (still alot better than Skype, MSN,Yahoo etc.)

Super account – As above but with a yearly charge of maybe $50 – $60 (maybe small banner ads as well)

PRO account – 8 person video (No banner ads), maybe increase some of the current features in the Super account and charge $10 month.

This way there will be revenue coming in from all ooVoo accounts. The costs involved in providing a service like ooVoo must be huge, so I have no objections in paying for this quality product. I personally feel a bit more thought, or maybe a survey of users may have helped in providing the feedback.

That said, I will be going for the full Super account. I consider myself a heavy user, constantly having 6 way video chats so the benefits outweigh the negatives for me. I know my wife (also a heavy ooVoo user) will probably get the Super account as well. (Note: maybe thats another consideration for ooVoo, what about a family plan of some sort as I would be paying $360 US per year for 3 Super accounts)

I am more than happy with ooVoo. The video/sound quality are by far the best I have used so if you haven’t tried ooVoo yet, go to www.ooVoo.com and download the Windows version. The Mac version is also available albeit in Beta at this present time.

New Video

I have just been playing with an online service call A N I M O T O. It allows you to upload pictures, add music and then renders out your video with some really cool effects. The free version makes a 30 second video so I had a play and made the Ratpack’s Lair / ooVoo chat video. Let me know what you think. 

Personal Homepage updated

Have just done a couple of minor tweaks to my Personal Homepage. Just added another photo gallery for some of my ooVoo snapshots and it’s done in Flash so looks pretty….lol.

FaceinHole.com

Well I’ve been so busy at work and having video chats using ooVoo that it’s been a while since I last posted. I stumbled across this website called FaceinHole.com, it basically lets you put your face onto a celebrity body. It’s another fun site to waste away the time, I’ve got heaps of pics now…..lol.

ooVoo Marathon….lol

I am suffering from lack of sleep. I have spent just on 9 hours using ooVoo video chat. I must admit it was fun, meeting a couple of new faces on there. The big one was around 5 hours with up to 6 webcams at various times, people coming and going.

Algeria, Sydney Australia, Indiana USA, Adelaide Australia

Hmmm, looks like there was a big of cam swapping as well…..lol

2nd ooVoo phone call test – thumbs up

We have just tried another phone call using ooVoo. This time we were having a 3 person video chat and we thought why not go direct to the horses mouth, so we did. We rang Tom from ooVoo on his cell phone. Apart from a slight delay, calls using ooVoo work great. There were a few drop outs but this was mainly when we all tried to talk at the same time. Over all the sound quality is good.

Here is a Screenshot of a video chat + a phone call in progress on ooVoo. This pic is from another call though.