Video calls for OAPs??
Oct 30th 2006, 2:07 pm
#1
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 389
Video calls for OAPs??
Anyone come accross a good easy solution for setting up OAPs and/or absolute technophobes on video calling.
We did a test with the MIL last night as she was at her other daughters house and they had messenger on, so we attempted to do a video call but the crappy messenger program kept crashing but at one point we could hear the MIL at the other end commenting that they were going to get this but they having second thoughts about it now (this was after 3 minutes of messing wow!).
In the end got it working fine with Skype but did hear them muttering that they would never be able to donwload Skype like their son did just then.
Despite their moaning and lack of enthusiasm (is this down to their age (70s) or are they not arsed?) I want to check out if their is a way of getting free video calls that is fairly idiot proof. At this point they can barely operate the mouse on their PC and they've owned it for 2 years.
Does anyone have anything like a dedicated skype phone without need for a PC? obviously a proper vidconference unit will be too much and require ISDN.
We did a test with the MIL last night as she was at her other daughters house and they had messenger on, so we attempted to do a video call but the crappy messenger program kept crashing but at one point we could hear the MIL at the other end commenting that they were going to get this but they having second thoughts about it now (this was after 3 minutes of messing wow!).
In the end got it working fine with Skype but did hear them muttering that they would never be able to donwload Skype like their son did just then.
Despite their moaning and lack of enthusiasm (is this down to their age (70s) or are they not arsed?) I want to check out if their is a way of getting free video calls that is fairly idiot proof. At this point they can barely operate the mouse on their PC and they've owned it for 2 years.
Does anyone have anything like a dedicated skype phone without need for a PC? obviously a proper vidconference unit will be too much and require ISDN.
Oct 30th 2006, 6:56 pm
#2
Timelord
Joined: May 2006
Location: Lost in space...
Posts: 2,834
Re: Video calls for OAPs??
Originally Posted by caleb2003
Anyone come accross a good easy solution for setting up OAPs and/or absolute technophobes on video calling.
We did a test with the MIL last night as she was at her other daughters house and they had messenger on, so we attempted to do a video call but the crappy messenger program kept crashing but at one point we could hear the MIL at the other end commenting that they were going to get this but they having second thoughts about it now (this was after 3 minutes of messing wow!).
In the end got it working fine with Skype but did hear them muttering that they would never be able to donwload Skype like their son did just then.
Despite their moaning and lack of enthusiasm (is this down to their age (70s) or are they not arsed?) I want to check out if their is a way of getting free video calls that is fairly idiot proof. At this point they can barely operate the mouse on their PC and they've owned it for 2 years.
Does anyone have anything like a dedicated skype phone without need for a PC? obviously a proper vidconference unit will be too much and require ISDN.
We did a test with the MIL last night as she was at her other daughters house and they had messenger on, so we attempted to do a video call but the crappy messenger program kept crashing but at one point we could hear the MIL at the other end commenting that they were going to get this but they having second thoughts about it now (this was after 3 minutes of messing wow!).
In the end got it working fine with Skype but did hear them muttering that they would never be able to donwload Skype like their son did just then.
Despite their moaning and lack of enthusiasm (is this down to their age (70s) or are they not arsed?) I want to check out if their is a way of getting free video calls that is fairly idiot proof. At this point they can barely operate the mouse on their PC and they've owned it for 2 years.
Does anyone have anything like a dedicated skype phone without need for a PC? obviously a proper vidconference unit will be too much and require ISDN.
Oct 30th 2006, 6:59 pm
#3
We're here in Brissie
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 565
Re: Video calls for OAPs??
You can get Skype phones that do not need the computer but you do ned broadband. I don't think you can get video with them though.
Fiona
Fiona
Oct 30th 2006, 7:31 pm
#4
Victorian Evangelist
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Melbourne, by the beach, living the dream.
Posts: 7,704
Re: Video calls for OAPs??
Oct 30th 2006, 9:13 pm
#5
DownUnder
Joined: May 2003
Location: Thorneside, Brissy
Posts: 1,709
Re: Video calls for OAPs??
Skype is so simple.. or just get them to pay £20 for local pc man to install and setup for them
Oct 30th 2006, 10:26 pm
#6
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 389
Re: Video calls for OAPs??
Hey Skype is simple to me but they can't even use the mouse.
I think theres a major market for skype or someone to get a video phone that connects straight through to a router so making it easy for the millions of technophobes to join in the webcam calls.
The BT one looks good but it does lok as if they are going to charge ££££ and no mention of being able to call a pc webcam only another BT call.
I think theres a major market for skype or someone to get a video phone that connects straight through to a router so making it easy for the millions of technophobes to join in the webcam calls.
The BT one looks good but it does lok as if they are going to charge ££££ and no mention of being able to call a pc webcam only another BT call.
Oct 30th 2006, 10:30 pm
#7
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: Video calls for OAPs??
Not their age - my mother is 82 and spends more time on msn with webcam and microphone than I do. Good job I have her blocked. 
