ooVoo

Over two years ago a friend and former colleague put me in touch with his boss who was recruiting for a project manager in London.

The first telephone chat went well and he wanted to see me over a video conference call.

Unfortunately they didn't use Skype and I couldn't work out an alternative method (for example using SIP or finding an affordable service in Munich). Then I got a job where I am still working.

Skype is, of course, very good. I use it all the time. But the video quality isn't great.

Recently I stumbled upon ooVoo.com which provides a very good level of video quality and, like Skype, provides a no-charge option for basic usage.

I'm now using it every day.

It can also be used by people who don't have the application but do have a web browser (and webcam and mike, of course). You simply send those people a personal URL generated by the application itself.

So, if I ever find myself in a similar situation (needing to do a vid con interview) I might well use this service.

Not so cheering

Article in the New York Times about the despondency people feel who cannot find work.

Right now my job seems to be surviving the global recession. And Germany is actually out of it, having grown a whopping 0.3% in the last quarter.

In fact due to my contract I don't think I could be made redundant (or resign) until the end of the year.

But the article reminds me of how grim it is when things are bad.

World survey

Investment banks haven't had a good reputation recently.

But when they publish a comprehensive review of prices and earnings around the world, for free, then it's not surprising they've been losing money.