ooVoo is an application for Windows and Mac OS X that lets you talk to up to six friends at once via a webcam and a microphone. ooVoo is currently in beta and also allows free calls to any landline in the US and Canada up until May 13th.

Another quick guide from MakeUseOf, this time it’s on group calling and conference apps. The ones that are simple, quick to setup, free, and probably something you would want to use. What do you get? Make instant calls to a group of friends, video chat with play mates, schedule conference calls with colleagues, live brainstorming dashboard, etc. As usual, all apps are free and fairly simple to use. Enjoy!

MeBeam - Online Video Conferencing

The Skype video chat feature is already really great because you get excellent picture quality but as with most other software, it’s possible to make it just a little bit better with a bit of tweaking here and there. With the recent release of Skype Beta 3.6, I thought I would share this tweak which I recently found online. I’m sure Skype will get round to officially including this in future releases but for those of you too impatient to wait for that, here’s a DIY method to turn your webcam window into a big 640 x 480 screen with better picture and sound quality.

Posted by makeuseof guest-writer Mark O’Neill

Yesterday we looked at two Skype-related programs which I use to become more productive and efficient. Today, in our continuing quest to build up our Skype programs, I want to take a look at the often-neglected Extras Manager and how Skype developers are using the API to make their own Skype-related tools, some “Skype Certified”, many not.

I can understand why some people are not even aware that there is an Extras Manager in Skype as it is obscurely tucked away in a drop-down sub-menu and not really placed or promoted prominently. If you are not aware of the Skype Extras Manager, you can find it by going to How to power up your Skype application even more

One-by-one we are publishing jumbo tips and tools lists for popular services. Today it’s Skype. What follows is, 30 carefully-selected and tested (when possible) Tools and Tips for Skype users, including popular Skype extras, desktop widgets, addons (for browser, email and Office programs), cool tips and more. As always, all free!

(1) SKYPE EXTRAS (Windows, Skype 3.0 or higher)

SAM - Answering Machine - cool voice answering machine for your Skype client. Takes voice message, records conversations, includes inbuilt lie-detector and lets you setup video greetings . [requirements: Win. Media Player]

VoipBuster - IP telephony or VoIP (voice over internet protocol) is one of the fastest developing parts of web. Its huge popularity and high adoption rates can be attributed to extremely low calling rates. You can call landline, mobile, PC and even send SMS at 1/10′th (if not more) of what it would cost using traditional POTS (plain old telephone service) phones.

There are many VoIP providers out there (Skype, VoipBuster, …) each with its own features and pricing models. After going through a bunch of them I came to conclusion that VoipBuster is the cheapest one. It’s by far cheaper then Skype, upto 2.5 times in some cases and has same (if not better) voice quality. To start using it you have to install VoipBuster software and register on voipbsuter.com.