There are several makes of webcam with different ways of attaching them to a laptop or having them sitting near near the monitor.  Worldstart.com offer some useful information when it comes to trying to find one to suit your needs.

The BBC have advice about setting up a webcam and Microsoft show you how to combine the webcam use with Live Messenger.  The website has some useful tips such as:

• "Don’t expect terrific video quality. It’s often possible to adjust the resolution by toying with the webcam’s software settings. But the higher the quality, the choppier the video frame rates.

• Some webcams require an additional microphone to record audio, so check before buying.

• Adjust your camera’s focus, point it towards your face and, most importantly, look right into the “eye” of the webcam so your friends on the other end see more than just your forehead.