One of the coolest ways to communicate with others over the Internet is with a Web video camera, often called a NetCam or WebCam. These inexpensive cameras cost as little as $100 (sometimes less) and let you star in your own Web-based home videos, make videophone calls, participate in videoconferencing, or broadcast your face or home to the world.

For those of you who are frightened of setting up hardware, stop hyperventilating and take a few deep breaths. It's actually easy to do, as I'll show you here.

What You Need to Get Started
The two best kinds of NetCams are those that use the Universal Serial Bus Port (USB) and those that connect via an add-in card that you put in your computer.

Here's what you need to set up each type of NetCam before getting started.

For a USB NetCam, you'll need

• The camera
  
• A USB port on your computer
  
• A USB cable
  
• Installation software that comes with the camera

For a NetCam that uses an add-in card, you'll need

• The camera
  
• The add-in card
  
• A Philips-head screwdriver or "hex nut driver" that can open up your computer
  
• Installation software that comes with the camera.

How to Install a USB Camera
One of the great advantages of USB cameras is how easy they are to set up. You won't even have to take the case off your PC. Here's how to do it. (By the way, you should follow these general directions, but also look for the directions that came with your camera.)

1. Make sure that you have a USB port. You can only install a USB camera if you have a USB port. Look for a small rectangular port on the front, side, or rear of your PC that has a USB signal next to it.

2. Check your computer to make sure that USB is enabled. Most versions of Windows later than Windows 95 support USB, although some versions of Windows 95 might cause some trouble. To make sure that yours properly supports USB, check the Device Manager and look for the USB setting. To do that, right-click the My Computer icon, and then choose Properties. Next, click the Device Manager tab, and then scroll down. You should see a USB controller entry, and there should be no exclamation point next to it.

3. Turn off your computer and plug one end of the USB cable into the camera; plug the other end into the USB port on your computer. Make sure you plug the proper ends of the cable into the camera and into your computer. The plug only goes one way, so don't force it—if you've got it right, it'll slip in easily.

4. Turn your computer back on and follow the directions that the Add New Hardware Wizard gives you. Your computer will automatically recognize that the new hardware has been added and launch the wizard. If the wizard asks if you have a disk from the manufacturer, put the disk in your computer.

5. Add any extra software that came with the camera. Your camera will come with extra software, such as NetCam videoconferencing software, and software for making videos that you can send via email. Put the installation CD into your computer and follow the instructions for installing the software.

Download Extra Software
You can download software for free to use with your Web video camera, including videomail software, software for making videos, videoconferencing software, software for turning your camera into a WebCam, and much more.

How to Install a Video Camera that Uses an Add-In Card
If you buy a Web video camera that requires an add-in card, you'll have to do a little more work. You'll have to take off your computer's case, screw in a card, and then attach your NetCam to it. Don't worry, it's not as difficult as it sounds. The following instructions tell you what to do, and how to do it. By the way, to make this easier on yourself, you should make sure the add-in card is a PCI one, not an ISA one (check the camera for details before you buy).

1. Turn off and unplug your computer. Never do anything inside your computer before first turning it off and unplugging it.

2. With a Philips-head screwdriver or nut driver, unscrew the screws that hold the case on your PC. Usually, three to six screws hold on the case. Some newer computers, such as some made by Dell, have cases that are held on by thumbscrews instead of regular screws. If that's how your computer is put together, consider yourself lucky—you'll only need to loosen the thumbscrews to remove the case.

3. Remove the case. You usually remove it by sliding it toward the back of the computer and then lifting it up, off a set of rails. On some computers, the case slides out from the front instead of the back.

4. Find an empty "slot" in your computer and unscrew the metal tab that protects it. You'll see a series of empty slots with metal tabs plugged into them. Unscrew the screw that holds the tab in place and remove the tab. Keep the screw nearby because you'll need it in a few minutes.

5. Insert the add-in card by pressing down evenly on its connector so that it slides smoothly into the empty slot. Be sure that the card is tight, but don't press too hard; otherwise, you'll damage the card. After you install the card, screw it in. Also, make sure you connect any cables to your computer's sound card, if you have to.

6. Put the case back on the computer, turn the computer on, and follow the directions that the Add New Hardware Wizard gives you. Your computer will automatically recognize that the new hardware has been added, and will launch the wizard. If the wizard asks if you have a disk from the manufacturer, put the disk in your computer.

7. Add any extra software that came with the camera. Your camera will come with extra software, such as NetCam videoconferencing software and software for making videos you can send via email. Put the installation CD into your computer and follow the instructions for installing the software.

Top Tips for Using Your Web Video Camera
After you've installed your Web video camera, the fun begins. But if you want to look your best on camera, follow these tips:

• Position your camera properly—One of the hardest things to figure out is where to put your camera. Many people put it on top of their monitor—but if you do that, more often than not, your camera will show a close-up of the top of your head. I find the best place for a camera is just off to the side of the monitor.
  
• Focus the camera—You may not realize this, but most video cameras come with a focus. You can find it on the front of the camera, around the camera's aperture.
  
• Adjust the Contrast Button
  If your NetCam has a contrast button, adjust it properly for the best contrast. Make it a habit to adjust the contrast every time you turn on your camera because lighting conditions change frequently.
  
• Take note of what's behind you—If you have a white wall, a light, a window, or another light source behind you, you'll often appear as not much more than a shadow in a bright space. Position yourself and your camera so you don't have a light source behind you.
  
• Experiment with lamps and lighting—Try different types of indirect lighting, such as lamps and overhead lighting, until you get a clear image, free of shadows and bright blurs.
  
• In videoconferencing, keep your movement to a minimum—Especially if you have a slow connection, avoid sudden, quick movements whenever possible. NetCams don't do a great job of handling a great deal of movement, so be careful of sudden movements during videoconferences or videophone calls.
  
• The Smaller the Video Image, the Better the Quality
  When you use videoconferencing software, you have a choice of what size to make your video image. The smaller you make your image, the better quality image you'll send. Making your image smaller can make a dramatic difference in the quality of the video.