Anyone like to explain to me how to set up a web cam to speak to people at home? I'm on a Mac but friends & family are on PCs so cant use ichat.

Also, I've heard that video phones (landlines) dont work out here. Is that true? Id like to use one for my parents who are too old for web cams.

Thanks

Why not use MSN Messenger - http://www.microsoft.com/mac/default...d=msnmessenger - installed as standard on all PCs - has webcam capabilites

Also interested in responses to this post as I'm a remedial case when it comes to technology ...

I keep blagging on to my mum and dad about how they'll be able to talk to the grandkids thru' the computer like I have a clue what I'm talking about

I want it explained S L O W L Y and S I M P L Y.

OK. The best bet, for the purposes of ease of use and compatability is MSN Messenger. To use it, you need a Hotmail account (www.hotmail.co.uk). Messenger should be installed on most Windows based PCs, you'll find it lurking under your 'Communications' directory in your start menu. When you and the folks back home both have your Hotmail accounts, fire up Messenger, click on Tools > Add a Contact and enter the person's email address. When you've added them, they'll get a little message asking for authorisation - when they've said yes, their name will appear in the main Messenger window which you can view by clicking on the little green man in your taskbar (just to the left of the clock). To add video to a conversation, simply click on 'Start Camera and follow the on-screen instructions.

Thanks Hutch. Ive got messenger but i dont see the 'start camera' tab.Where is it?

You won't see it until you are chatting to someone else.

That explains it.

Do I need a web cam or can I just use a camcorder?

The newer camcorders have webcam facilities on them, but I use the cheap webcam I got free with my original computer!!

Nobody is too old for a webcam, its really simple to set up, and if they dont have the ability to set it up themselves, there are loads of small companies who specialise in sorting out small pc/IT problems for users. I bet the yellow pages is full of them. Both our parents are in their seventies and both see us on the webcam on a regular basis. With a lot of folk age isnt the barrier, a will to do something is the barrier.

No you dont, we use MSN Messenger to webcam with, as do our rellies, and none of us have a hotmail account.

Oh well, let's be pedantic. You need a 'Passport' account - and the easiest way of getting one of those is to sign up for a Hotmail account.

MSN Messenger on a MAC doesn't support video messenging!!

Haven't tried this myself, so probably a long shot...but have you tried Yahoo Messenger?

Also there are many websites that allow you to chat via webcam without downloading anything to your hard drive, maybe just a small applet......

www.anywebcam.com springs to mind, however if I remember (what my mate told me :-)), this is full of pervs..so be careful! Sure there are others though.

Use MSN Messenger v7.5. Plug and play the webcam through USB. And speak via Messenger or another VOIP like Skype (which also has a teleconference facility so you can chat to more than one person at the same time).

SS

If you use a Mac then use Yahoo Messenger. When I last checked, MSN messenger did not support webcams for Macs, but then us Mac users wouldn't want to use MSN anyway