Now that I am on a real keyboard :).

I am surprised that you cannot find a camera driver for a given camera in 2015 Linux. Like I say, I have a cheap camera that I bought at 5 below and it got recognized by Linux and I have no problems.

I also have a 3COM, which works with some of the applications. In others, it does not (in Ekiga I get a green blob).

I am not sure if you are looking for a specific feature set or something. I would be surprised if this has not improved somehow in 10 years.