January 20, 2009, 10:07 AM — Whether you're at work, traveling, or just not in front a television, there are plenty of ways to get a front seat at Barack Obama's inauguration ceremony today. All you need is a computer, laptop, or mobile phone and an Internet connection. So if you're going to be one of the millions watching, here are your options:
On TV Station Web Sites
Television channels from around the world have lined up with loads of compelling coverage. So you've got a very wide range of choices: CBS, ABC, MSNBC, Fox News, CNN, C-SPAN and BBC -- all of them will stream live video feeds from the ceremony. Coverage starts as early as 8 a.m., so you've got plenty of time to chose your favorite channel.
On Video Sharing Web Sites
Video sharing sites are also getting the inauguration fever. Hulu will be live-streaming CBS' and Fox Broadcast's stream and can be found right on the site's main page. After the ceremony ends, all streams will be available on-demand on Hulu. Joost will also stream CBS's inauguration feed and also offers extensive coverage from EuroNews.
On Your iPhone
Ustream, a live video streaming website, has launched this week a new application for iPhone users. The new app lets you watch all of the site's streams, including Ustream's coverage of the inauguration ceremony. Ustream has a camera on the The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, where they have a great view of the Nation's Capitol.
Software On Your Computer
Livestation is a multi-platform application (PC, MAC, Linux) which lets you watch live streams of Al Jazeera English, C-SPAN, EuroNews, France24, and ITN (UK). Fortunately, all these stations will have special coverage of Obama's inauguration, so you can switch between a variety of international perspectives. I've tested this application and it runs quite smoothly on a regular Internet connection. The downside though, is that the video cannot be played in full screen.
On Newspaper Websites
Both The New York Times and USA Today will stream on their main page Obama's speech and swearing in. Throughout the day, the papers will also post video reports of the event.
And don't forget to check out PC World's guide to all the Web-based inauguration activities going on today.
