Nation

The ubiquity of the webcam (now built into many computers) might seem like a positive, but its one-on-one limitation means it only really enables the blurry purgatory of dating girls too remote to sleep with. For a less fruitlessly intimate video forum, try Oovoo.

Oovoo is a free video chat and messaging service that ups the ante by allowing up to six participants to join in a discussion/international game of Asshole. Quality's achieved at a TV-caliber 15-to-30 frames per second, smoothing out the images of all but your most epileptic friends. Since you'll need people to confer with, Oovoo lets you invite MySpacers directly/instantly via proprietary widgets, thus escalating your relationships with cutters in Orlando.

Further proof that Jetsons videotelephony is on its way: Oovoo will also email video messages to whomever you want -- eliminating the need for anyone's video-conference participation, and the perpetuation of the charade that Charlene from Ottawa still likes you. And is a girl.

Download the software now at Oovoo.com