. . . can be done, on AIM, Yahoo, or MSN, but the mic doesn't work, they'll have to have a separate standalone mic. They will also need a 6-port FireWire card, as the 4-port ones for PC laptops do not carry power, though maybe with an external power source for the card. But who wants to carry that around with their PC laptop?

The iSight on AIM (which is what you'll want to use if you want to iChat with them) is limited to 320x240, 15fps connection. It will do automatic focus, at least, and has great optics for a webcam.

The thing is, the first time they plug it in to a PC they will have a washed out image. They need to use Yahoo IM or MSN IM to correct this, THEN launch AIM to iChat with you.

So basically, the attractive feature for a PC user is the auto focus, which no other webcam I know of has. And it's a Trojan Horse for them to get a Mac Mini or an iBook when they see how good it is on YOUR mac. ;-)

CNN is using iChat/iSight on their Situation Room program, and this article (probably good for today only) kind of explains how you'll feel when you do your first iSight to iSight Mac-based conference:

sfgate.com/columnists/morford/