iChat - easiest set up

[MAcNIAC]

i'm about to get started with audio and video conferencing with distant family...

does it matter whether I have .mac or AIM?
is iChat the best conferencing program to use if the other people have macs?
what's the best program if I want to chat with PC users?
how fast does the computer need to be for acceptable video chats? (would my old ibook G4 800 be OK with an external iSight?)

Thanks, apologies if this has previously been discussed i did a search and flicked through recent threads but couldnt see anything quite right.

 

[dpaanlka]

You can use either AIM or .Mac. It doesn't matter.

iChat is really good all around, with everything you mentioned.

 

[MAcNIAC]

thanks, i dont normally pay for .mac - is it worth it once for the videoconferencing? (I wouldnt use the other features)

 

[dpaanlka]

thanks, i dont normally pay for .mac - is it worth it once for the videoconferencing? (I wouldnt use the other features)

.Mac is a complete internet solution from Apple including web page space, email address, and chat. You do not need .Mac to use any features of iChat, it all works with your AIM account just fine. If you video chat with another AIM user who is on a Mac with iChat, the video will be extremely high quality.