Internet TV is coming to a TV set near you. In a way, it's already hit your Mac, in the form of YouTube, iTunes, and other online videos. The folks at Joost are hoping to lead the Internet TV charge by making the experience more like your typical TV experience, with networks and channels. The Joost software turns you Mac into an Internet TV.

Joost was founded by the same guys who created Skype and KaZaa, so maybe you've already heard the buzz about Joost on the Web. Back in February, Joost made its Mac beta available to a limited number of beta users. I wasn't able to get in on that first beta release. But I was able to try out the latest Joost beta yesterday, and I played with it all night. Here's a look at Joost 0.9.1.

Joost requires an Intel Mac.

The software is 40MB. The Joost beta works only on Intel Macs with Mac OS 10.4 or later. I installed Joost on a black 2GHz Intel Core Duo MacBook with 2GB of RAM with a WiFi connection to my cable Internet.

Joost welcome screen.

You have to have an account on Joost, which you create when you first run the software. Joost then runs an introductory video, which often lagged. But I didn't have to futz with Internet settings or adjust my screen resolution - I just double clicked the Joost icon, and it worked.

Next: The Joost TV experience