Sometimes we need to setup face-to-face meetings (but with people who are hundreds of miles away) in short order and Skype, for one reason or another is not the best solution.

Enter Google voice and video chat.  Users of Gmail might be familiar with it, but even if you’re not a regular Gmail (or iGoogle) user you can still setup an account and use this solution relatively easily.  Setup a Gmail account, head over to http://www.google.com/chat/video , install the software and then invite someone to chat.  It really is that easy.  The great thing is it is browser-based and still offers full screen video and high quality audio.  Yet another example of Google rolling out a product that is as good as a commercial product but is free.

What do you use when you need to video conference on short notice and/or a budget?