Author Topic: Video chat: Why don't people like it? (Read 27607 times)

SKesselman · « **on:** August 28, 2008, 06:17 PM »

I'm curious:

Video chat is something I used to dream of (remember Blade Runner?).

I video chat with my boyfriend in France all the time.
But my girlfriends, although they have the means to video chat, would rather talk on the phone (???).
And my 2 sisters (one 3,000 milles away) have simply no interest.

Even a former member of this forum who had a SkypeMe button on his signature (in email, at least) suddenly *disappeared* when I invited him to video chat.

What's up with people?! The future of communication is here, why do people shy away from it?
Is there still an 'adult' stigma attached to it?

So far, all I can come up with is that you can't readily multi-task on video chat as well as on the phone.
Any ideas?
Thanks

Ehtyar · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2008, 06:27 PM »

I talk to the better half on skype video, and ocasionally some other friends, though for the most part i know what you're talking about. However, there are still plenty of people who are either without webcam, or suffering an internet connection that simply won't support video conversation smoothly. Then there are of course people who simply do not want to be seen over the internet (privacy, messy surroundings etc).

Ehtyar.

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2008, 06:29 PM »

I would assume that the whole "adult" thing is still attached to it for the older folks... every teenager I know (my entire high school) does at least IM/Text Messaging, and a lot of us do voice and video (I am getting a webcam soon). It is like there are two groups - the ones that take it inappropriately, and the ones that don't really care about the "risks" involved in it (and therefore do it all the time). (I would be the latter)

Just a teen's perspective...

Lashiec · « **Reply #3 on:** August 28, 2008, 06:34 PM »

I guess that will vary from person to person. Multitasking is definitely a big reason, you can do everything you want while you talk on the phone, meanwhile with video chat you have to be in front of the camera. Also, some people can be uncomfortable when talking using a videocam, in the sense that they can be in pajamas at home, in underwear, or doing those little things everyone does at home, and it's embarrassing for them to let others see them like that.

I suppose it's a matter of asking your girlfriends why they don't like it. Personally, I don't have a webcam, and never felt inclined to buy one for videochat, maybe because I don't have any particular reason about having or not having one.

cranioscopical · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2008, 06:37 PM »

I'm curious:

Video chat is something I used to dream of (remember Blade Runner?).
What's up with people?! The future of communication is here, why do people shy away from it?
-SKesselman (August 28, 2008, 06:17 PM)

That is because, when talking to a client, one has to change out of pyjamas!

SKesselman · « **Reply #5 on:** August 28, 2008, 06:42 PM »

...and the ones that don't really care about the "risks" involved in it...
-wreckedcarzz (August 28, 2008, 06:29 PM)

What risks?

Just a teen's perspective...
-wreckedcarzz (August 28, 2008, 06:29 PM)

Thanks! Having no kids of my own, I can really appreciate a teen's opinion.
Who wants to be an "eighties throwback", anyway?

Grorgy · « **Reply #6 on:** August 28, 2008, 06:45 PM »

Most of the people i 'talk' to on the internet are not people I have met, sometimes, but not often we use video, but usually just text, probably because of multitasking, well ok, i tell a lie, i don't multitask, single tasking on something different

you can just wander away for a coffee and rejoin the conversation and no one is the wiser. My real life friends and relatives seem to live in the stone age!

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #7 on:** August 28, 2008, 07:52 PM »

...and the ones that don't really care about the "risks" involved in it...
-wreckedcarzz (August 28, 2008, 06:29 PM)

What risks?

Just a teen's perspective...
-wreckedcarzz (August 28, 2008, 06:29 PM)

Thanks! Having no kids of my own, I can really appreciate a teen's opinion.
Who wants to be an "eighties throwback", anyway?

-SKesselman (August 28, 2008, 06:42 PM)

"Risks" meaning the whole "child abuse" stuff that no one under 30 really cares about... Oprah had a show on it a while back and I watched (and laughed) at the first 15 minutes or so of it. It is just about privacy and the whole "Who You Talk To Is Not Always Who They Are" (WYTTINAWTA, the webcam opposite of WYSIWYG

)

Yea I know... The 80s? DOS? Commodore 64? MAN! HOW OLD ARE YOU PEOPLE!

(just kidding... sort of... lol)

SKesselman · « **Reply #8 on:** August 28, 2008, 08:02 PM »

... The 80s? DOS? Commodore 64? MAN! HOW OLD ARE YOU PEOPLE! (just kidding... sort of... lol)
-wreckedcarzz (August 28, 2008, 07:52 PM)

Old enough to know you left out 'workstations'.

Shades · « **Reply #9 on:** August 28, 2008, 08:52 PM »

And the Atari 2600!!!!

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #10 on:** August 28, 2008, 09:44 PM »

And the Atari 2600!!!!
-Shades (August 28, 2008, 08:52 PM)

Wasn't that big POS that was like, the world's worst ****ing console ever, the HUGE, INCOMPATIBLE thing with a random big storage slot on the back?

(I only know, or THINK I know, because of TAVGN - The Angry Video Game Nerd

)

Josh · « **Reply #11 on:** August 28, 2008, 09:47 PM »

What about the gibson?

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #12 on:** August 28, 2008, 09:50 PM »

And the Atari 2600!!!!
-Shades (August 28, 2008, 08:52 PM)

Wasn't that big POS that was like, the world's worst ****ing console ever, the HUGE, INCOMPATIBLE thing with a random big storage slot on the back?

(I only know, or THINK I know, because of TAVGN - The Angry Video Game Nerd )
-wreckedcarzz (August 28, 2008, 09:44 PM)

My bad, I was referring to the 5200...

NFSW!!!! Not safe for anyone easily (or anyhow) offended (funny as **** tho lol): http://www.youtube.c.../watch?v=AknyR-kRvLc

SKesselman · « **Reply #13 on:** August 28, 2008, 10:20 PM »

Very nice u-tube, didn't even need sound.
But, aren't teenage boys supposed to have *other* things on their mind?

Way back when, around 1983, as I recall, video games were something a guy played at the surf shop - yes - on an Atari - while waiting for his friends, or say, a *girl* to show up. Now, I guess it's a lifestyle (?).

40hz · « **Reply #14 on:** August 28, 2008, 10:22 PM »

Yea I know... The 80s? DOS? Commodore 64? MAN! HOW OLD ARE YOU PEOPLE! (just kidding... sort of... lol)
-wreckedcarzz (August 28, 2008, 07:52 PM)

Old enough to know that many people (depending on the time of day) would not want to get what they see if we were to regularly video chat!

Be grateful.

(Just kidding. Sort of...

)

Deozaan · « **Reply #15 on:** August 28, 2008, 10:22 PM »

I don't like video chat because when I'm on the internet, I like my relative anonymity.

The fact that you don't know what I look like or what my voice sounds like or how old I am is what I like so much about the internet. It seems to level the field and remove nearly all status and class. The only thing you can really judge someone by is their opinion and their writing skills.

When I have to speak to someone, generally I talk kind of slowly and I also take a long time to gather my thoughts. I like to know exactly what I'm going to say before I say it. So typing is a lot easier for me because it gives me the chance to think it through as I type it, read over it completely before I send it in IM or post it, and rewrite it if it comes out wrong. When speaking to someone vocally, you don't really have the luxury of any of those things without people becoming impatient or feeling pressured to respond quickly.

40hz · « **Reply #16 on:** August 28, 2008, 10:28 PM »

I don't like video chat because when I'm on the internet, I like my relative anonymity.
-Deozaan (August 28, 2008, 10:22 PM)

Besides, it's not usually a good idea to let the person who called you with a computer question see how often you flip him the bird. There's just no way for him not to take it personally.

40hz · « **Reply #17 on:** August 28, 2008, 10:32 PM »

That is because, when talking to a client, one has to change out of pyjamas!
-cranioscopical (August 28, 2008, 06:37 PM)

What are pyjamas?

SKesselman · « **Reply #18 on:** August 28, 2008, 10:38 PM »

That is because, when talking to a client, one has to change out of pyjamas!
-cranioscopical (August 28, 2008, 06:37 PM)
What are pyjamas?
-40hz (August 28, 2008, 10:32 PM)

I'm not entirely sure, but I think they're what you wear when you spend a lot of time playing video games. Chris, am I right?

wreckedcarzz · « **Reply #19 on:** August 29, 2008, 12:48 AM »

But, aren't teenage boys supposed to have *other* things on their mind?

Way back when, around 1983, as I recall, video games were something a guy played at the surf shop - yes - on an Atari - while waiting for his friends, or say, a *girl* to show up. Now, I guess it's a lifestyle (?).

-SKesselman (August 28, 2008, 10:20 PM)

I have other things to do, got a girlfriend... it is just that the sunlight burns.

Now if you'll excuse me, I am off to close my curtains, turn off the lights, and play some MMORPGs.

f0dder · « **Reply #20 on:** August 29, 2008, 06:37 AM »

I often sit around in my boxers at various times of day, so video chat would be too much of an inconvenience for me. On the phone (or forums, irc, IM, etc.) people can't see what you're wearing, and most tend not to ask

cranioscopical · « **Reply #21 on:** August 29, 2008, 09:35 AM »

That is because, when talking to a client, one has to change out of pyjamas!
-cranioscopical (August 28, 2008, 06:37 PM)
What are pyjamas?
-40hz (August 28, 2008, 10:32 PM)

I'm not entirely sure, but I think they're what you wear when you spend a lot of time playing video games. Chris, am I right?

-SKesselman (August 28, 2008, 10:38 PM)

I walked right into that one from 40hz, didn't I?

Reminds me of the early days of British television. At that time, all BBC newsreaders were male, and all were required to appear in formal evening wear. It wasn't uncommon, in the studio, to see a black-tie dinner jacket 'above the desk' and a ratty old pair of corduroys below.

And, yes, pyjamas are the preferred mode of dress when shirking from home.
One shies away from the image of 40hz who, apparently, takes informality to yet greater... um... lengths.

[edit: can't punctuate]

Stoic Joker · « **Reply #22 on:** August 29, 2008, 03:34 PM »

I'm curious:

Video chat is something I used to dream of (remember Blade Runner?).
What's up with people?! The future of communication is here, why do people shy away from it?
-SKesselman (August 28, 2008, 06:17 PM)

That is because, when talking to a client, one has to change out of pyjamas!

-cranioscopical (August 28, 2008, 06:37 PM)

Not really, You can just wear a shirt and tie, pants are optional ... Just don't reach for anything...

Christ I haven't worn pajamas since I was a kid.

40hz · « **Reply #23 on:** August 29, 2008, 04:23 PM »

And, yes, pyjamas are the preferred mode of dress when shirking from home.
One shies away from the image of 40hz who, apparently, takes informality to yet greater... um... lengths.

[edit: can't punctuate]
-cranioscopical link=topic=14612.msg126704#msg126704

To be sure. I'm usually wearing an informal 'Tux' when I'm shirking.

This is my current favorite. Available from cafepress.com

http://clothing.cafe.../golf-shirt/19154748

mediaguycouk · « **Reply #24 on:** August 29, 2008, 04:25 PM »

I don't really like video chat, I don't want the other person to know that I'm wondering about the flat generally ignoring them while chatting.

However video conferencing in a suite or using a mobile projector is amazing. The quality and ease is excellent and the £3000 ish pounds is saved the first time you decide not to fly 5 people to America to 'have a chat'.