Remember the old Bell Telephone marketing slogan “Reach out and touch someone”? Or “Long Distance – the next best thing to being there”?
My brother, his wife, and our four beloved nieces recently moved from being 20 minutes away to being 6 hours away. It was and remains a difficult adjustment for us emotionally. So, sorry to disagree but picking up the phone to call long distance ISN’T the next best thing to being there. But thankfully, with today’s technology, being able to Skype someone really is!
Skype is an application that offers voice and video calls over the internet (so it’s assumed you have an internet connection before using it). The video calling portion of the application is FREEEEEEE! The first thing you need is the Skype application. Go to www.skype.com and download it to your computer. It’s FREEEEEEE! During the installation process you’ll be asked to create a Skype account in which you will select a Skype ID and password. The Skype ID doesn’t have to be your real name but it does make it easier for friends and family to find you if it is. My Skype ID is irene.taschek.
The second thing you’ll need in order to fully use the video calling feature of Skype is a webcam which, if your computer didn’t already come with one installed in the monitor, you can purchase an external webcam from Best Buy, Amazon, even Walmart starting as low as $30.
Once those two are up and running, the only other thing you need is another person to Skype with! It’s so easy to use, even my parents (both of whom are about to turn 70), can use it.
The kids and I use it to Skype daddy when he’s out of town. I can’t describe the joy in being able to talk to and SEE the person you are talking to at the same time while being separated by an enormous geographic distance. Heck, we even use it to Skype not-so-distant loved ones just because…well, just because we can! We love being able to stay in touch with friends and family in this manner. Check Skype out…you won’t be sorry you did.
Cousins Skyping One Another
Skyping out,
Taschek Tales 