You know how many times I have mentioned Skype as a tool for both personal and business communication … especially if you are planning to live in the Philippines and earn you money elsewhere … either by telecommuting or setting up you own web-based business.

Here’s an advance announcement of what is coming soon … actually already available in “beta” format, I’ll wait until it is released in ‘shrink wrap” format myself … should be soon:

If you’ve got a Web cam, you can now add video to Skype’s party line.

 

(Credit: Screenshot by Jessica Dolcourt/CNET)

Skype’s new beta with added conference calling features could be just what the doctor ordered for low-cost international meetings and planning sessions among family and friends. On Thursday, Skype 5.0 beta for Windows became available as a free download.

Instead of initiating video calls to just one other recipient, as in the stable version of Skype, you can host video chats for up to five people. Unfortunately, each of them has to have a Web cam and Skype 5.0 beta installed on a Windows PC in order for video conferencing to work. This limitation could get in testers’ ways.

We got word about the update last week when Skype announced a new set of calling plans to benefit those calling mobile phones. We haven’t had time to stage an elaborate overseas calling conference yet, but our plans are in the works, so watch this space for our hands-on evaluation.

Skype certainly isn’t the first to bring video conferencing to everyday users. The free Skype competitor VoxOx offers video conferencing for up to three callers; the freemium ooVoo can support up to six.

If you do try out Skype’s beta video party line, let us know in the comment what you think. Remember that beta software is neither as less polished nor stable as final software, so keep that in mind if you try out Skype 5.0 beta for Windows. Mac users can expect to see a version of Skype’s group video calls for that computing platform later this year.

Jessica Dolcourt reviews the latest and greatest smartphone apps, in addition to a healthy dose of Windows software. E-mail Jessica and follow her on Twitter.

Thanks a big tip of the blog hat to Jessica and CNet for this very newsworthy report

And don’t forget, I showed you how to get a very worthwhile "Blueprint" on building a business with Skype and the Internet here:

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OK, I looked this over since I posted it, and I also have some questions from many people who aren’t really clear on a couple concepts. One question I have had several times is, "If this is so easy, why aren’t you doing it, Dave"? Well that’s a very good question. part one of the answer is, I didn’t say it was easy. I said that anyone with normal spoken English skills and a computer and the free program Skype can do it, but it’s work.

It’s a legitimate business opportunity that you can pursue from anywhere you live, and it requires virtually no investment .. but … like any conventional or self-employed venture, it requires effort.  I’m 65 years young and I enjoy being retired.  that’s one reason I don’t teach English online as a business (Although I was really, really tempted to bu7y that example site I showed you earlier )

The second reason is, like any successful business, it requires a certain amount of setting up, planning and developing specific techniques for the market … and I spend way too much time on other profitable on-line ventures as it is … I don’t care to start something else again from scratch.  I’d rather build the properties I currently have to be bigger and better.

But I di the next best thing.  I found those of you who are interested in a sensible, doable way to make real money online for performing a necessary and useful service, a complete package on how to set up a working business, step by step, written by an American living in Japan who earns money teaching English online.

An online English teaching journey and how you too can teach English online and get money:

My name is John Buchanan, and I’m an online English teacher.  I love to travel and help people.

In 2005 I moved to Osaka, Japan with thoughts of meeting new people, witnessing the culture and exploring the other mysteries that awaited.  I never thought I would become self-employed after being hired by a Japanese conversation school by the name of Nova.
With them I taught English to Japanese students from all over Japan by using a computer and the Internet. For myself, I paid attention, learned a lot, and eventually adapted a working strategy that paid nicely. …

I did all of my teaching with a webcam, microphone and their special software. The setup was pretty neat because it allowed me to show pictures, play audio recordings, write with a typing tool, as well as the ability to draw with colors.

Pretty cool! I got paid to sit and talk and teach English and draw funny pictures for students.

After I got to Japan, I was blown away by how much money students were paying on average for a 40 minute one-on-one private lesson over the Internet.

Guess how much?

About $70.00 for one 40 minute English lesson was the average! My eyebrows flew off my face when I heard that number. …

If you want a no BS look at the details facts and figures of how one man does this, for real, and you want a professionally written step by step course, complete with custom video instructions on things like how to set up Skype to do this teaching professionally, then I suggest you read John’s Teaching English Online sales page.

I find his facts, figures and conclusions are very believable, based on personal experience, and best of all, the offer is completely risk free .. if it ain’t what you want, you get back very penny.  A no nonsense course in how to make teaching English online, from anywhere, work for you.

Will you make a move, or will you wait and see if the government makes things better just for you?

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