semi-OT: Good webcam and audio software (Dell notebooks and monitors)

Some Dell monitors come with webcams. Some Dell laptops come with a
webcam, and some come with only a mic built in (Latitude line, maybe
others).

I'm interested in knowing if anyone has suggestions for 1) webcam
software and 2) audio-only software.

I've downloaded and tried many web cam programs and none of them are
very good.

The main thing I'd like to use 1) above for is to take pictures of
myself recording a video journal, and for stills.

The main thing I'd like to use 2) above for is recording an audio
journal or possibly even recording meetings. On the audio-only front
I know there is Audacity, but maybe there's something better.

have you tried the dell bundled software?

i've recently sold an inspiron with a built in webcam with vista,
and it came bundled with excellent software that could do what you
described. i thought the quality was excellent and easy enough to
operate.

journey wrote:
> Some Dell monitors come with webcams. Some Dell laptops come with a
> webcam, and some come with only a mic built in (Latitude line, maybe
> others).
>
> I'm interested in knowing if anyone has suggestions for 1) webcam
> software and 2) audio-only software.
>
> I've downloaded and tried many web cam programs and none of them are
> very good.
>
> The main thing I'd like to use 1) above for is to take pictures of
> myself recording a video journal, and for stills.
>
> The main thing I'd like to use 2) above for is recording an audio
> journal or possibly even recording meetings. On the audio-only front
> I know there is Audacity, but maybe there's something better.