No iSight, no problem

I've been trying to get hold of an Apple iSight for a while. I have an old iMac G5 which sadly doesn't have a built in iSight. Apple stopped selling their nice external cameras in the UK a while ago because they contain some hazardous materials which are banned in products sold in the EU.

So, you have a Mac without a web cam, what do you do? You could try to pick up an iSight on ebay for over £100 or you could do what I've done.

Some friendly open source chaps have written some Mac webcam drivers called macam. A whole host of USB webcams are supported, all you have to do is go out and buy a camera that's on the list of supported cameras. I managed to find a nice cheap Philips SPC210NC for £20 on Tottenham Court Road. When I got home I installed the drivers, plugged it in, fired up Skype and it was working.

It isn't as snazzy looking as the real thing and the picture quality isn't anything to get excited about but for £20 you can't complain.