OT - Do any of you use a web cam

My mother is a memory challenged 78 year old but I would like to set up a web cam situation for her to be able to converse with my very ill sister in another town (real time). Do any of you know of a program and web cam that might be easy enough for her to use daily? Cheap helps too!

dieselgal wrote:My mother is a memory challenged 78 year old but I would like to set up a web cam situation for her to be able to converse with my very ill sister in another town (real time). Do any of you know of a program and web cam that might be easy enough for her to use daily? Cheap helps too!

At the risk of seemingly promoting something for self-interest (because I am part of the company... we also offer web hosting but that is another site)... http://www.hotconference.com

It is not the cheapest solution, nor the most expensive either. A new Flash based version is currently in development to replace the existing version.

I use the Logitech QuickCam Pro 9000... works like a charm.

I believe both skype and google chat supports video chats so they can talk. They'll both need high speed internet connection though.

I am quite sure that skype to skype is free as is google chat. Not exactly the best solution ... but you wanted cheap, right?

Good luck.

My wife video chats with her sister in Japan using Skype to Skype for free. They both have webcams.
Works great! As ichitumi said, they both need high speed internet connection.

You can C2C using Yahoo or MSN IM and even works on dial up (though not great). Those programs are free but of course they each need a web cam. Not sure of the "simplicity factor" but you might be able to setup a simple link or shortcut that would take her right into it... Hope this helps....

If you already have Yahoo Messenger then all you need is a webcam. Setup would depend on which version you have. Prob best to try get it working locally so you know how it will work for you. But Yahoo is FREE.

google chat and skype are free and work great

Skype is generally quite reliable and free if you're calling someone who also has the software downloaded on their computer.

To purchase a web camera, if you have a mac, go to the Apple store. If you have a PC, I suspect you can see if Radio Shack has one. They attach to the top of your monitor, if you don't have one already installed.

I think it's going to boil down to, like cpap masks, everyone has their favorite and what works for them. Yahoo works for me and my 7 year old granddaughter. The only thing is if she can't get it started she only lives 4 blocks away and will then call to see if I can come outside to play.

Good luck finding one that works for you.

Fred

We've used Skype with our kids for years, including the year our daughter was in school in Argentina (though that was voice only.) Bandwidth can be an issue. I'm using an old Creative Labs VF0250 webcam with my laptop. They're getting very inexpensive as better units come to market, but it's plenty good enough.

Probably any Radio Shack, Office Depot or Staples store could help you. If you want more specific help, PM me.

OT - Do any of you use a web cam

DG, When I saw the title, I thought you were going to propose that we watch over each other while we sleep.

http://www.download.com/windows/communi ... ?tag=mncol

Sorted by most popular.Good luck,it's easy.

Thanks for all the responses. I will check into the web cams tomorrow. She doesn't own one right now but she does have high speed internet which is hardly used. At least this would be using it for something constructive.

rooster wrote:

OT - Do any of you use a web cam

DG, When I saw the title, I thought you were going to propose that we watch over each other while we sleep.

We use them for babies so why not use it remotely to watch over us in our later years?