I want one of those

[rephetibel]

I'm a fan of Big Bang Theory.  They video chat with each other on their computers sometimes.  I would so like to do that with my children once in a while.  I know nothing about computers.  Obviously, there would need to be a camera on each computer.  What else is involved?  Does it cost a bundle of money other than the cameras? 

Comments

[psi_star_psi]

Computer with webcamera, internet link, friend/relative who knows a little about computers. I walked my mom though setting up Skype over the phone, and now we can do video calls. It's a free service, so you're only paying for your existing net connection. I know you have a computer and internet, because you are posting to LJ. Webcamera are built in on laptops currently, but an external cam is probably ~$50 or less.

I don't know where you'll find someone who knows computers though. :-)

[ross_teneyck]

The missing piece is a broadband connection -- your dial-up modem won't support video, unfortunately. Or at least it would do it very poorly.

I'll see if I can think of something, though.

[rephetibel]

I'm pretty sure a broadband connection would cost $40-$50 a month. To just be able to video-chat, it wouldn't be worth it for me.

[linda_marus]

A broadband connection would mean that you would be able to stop using AOL. If the broadband connection doesn't come with free email, you could sign up for a free email address with any number of companies. That means that your monthly cost would only go up by $15-$20 per month.