Web cameras

[fmb]

Okay gang, I need some help. I'm trying to figure out how my son (7 years old, lives near Detroit, MI) and me (South Carolina) can better communicate. The phone is nice, but doesn't provide a picture.

I'm thinking webcams are the answer. My problem is I've never used a web cam. This laptop (DELL) has a camera; so does the comp my son has access to (HP). What does it take to make this work? What programs (?) are necessary for me to see and talk with him? Does it matter the cameras are on computers from different manufacturers??

[BackdoorJesus]

I believe you can use a webcam with MSN (my preferred IM vehicle) but my daughter likes to chat with her friends via webcam on Skype. Both are free programs, and I believe the only setup is to install the software & register an account (for both you & your son).

[fmb]

Thank you, BDJ! I'm checking into both.

[prixat]

I regularly use both hotmail and skype between London and Canberra. Which is alomost opposite ends of the world!

Both are good and Skype even allows more than 2 connections for conference calls, but that becomes voice only.

With Videocalls they are identical but Hotmail has been more stable. Skype seems a bit more susceptible to network congestion. It doesn't cost anything to have free accounts on both, but I would go with Hotmail.

[fmb]

Thank you, prixat!!