Use your computer to video chat

Video chat can be really good way to keep in touch with friends and relatives who live a long way away – perhaps across the other side of the world. Certainly my Mum and Dad have used it to keep in touch with my sister’s family in Australia. Apart from anything else they don’t miss their grandchildren growing up and it is a lot more personal than emails and photographs.

It is really quite simple these days. All you need is a computer, broadband, a webcam, some free software and someone else with the same set-up and it is simple.

There are lots of different programs for video chat and they all have their benefits.

Skype has always been a popular, having originally led the way with free phone chat using your computer connection. You need to download a free piece of software and then set it up by following their instructions, or just give me a call on 07017 343434 and I can sort it out for you. The people you want to speak t will need to have the same software as well.

Google, are rapidly taking over the world and they have a good option called Gmail Voice and Video Chat. We have included a video on our site with Serge Lachapelle the Swedish developer of GMail Chat. You need to create an account with Google, which is free and then follow your nose and the instructions to set up GMail video or give me a call on 07817 343434 and I can sort it out for you.

I am personally a bit of a Mac fan and Macs have their own application called iChat. Modern Macs have web cams built in and I like the ease of use. You do need to subscribe to Macs own .mac service (‘mobile me’) as it seems to be now called and this will then allow you to video chat with others on the same service. 

I tend to use all three services – most people have access to one or other of them and I can video chat with them all.