Can a Webcam be used without MSN?

[justbeme]

My Dad is 76 and has taught himself to use a computer which is brilliant. He lives 200 miles away and we thought we could communicate via MSN, but he gets really confused using it. (which is not so brilliant when I end up on the phone trying to talk him through it!!)
Is there any other way we could "talk" using webcam so that he can see his grandchildren?
Ive heard of Sykpe, - how does this work?/is it free etc and what else is there that is very EASY.
Thanks.

bump

What is the difficulty? if it's set up of the web cam you can do that for him if you can get him to request remote assistance and let you control his PC. > actions > request remote assistance and do all the setup. I've done this for my wife's none too IT literate aunt and scored maximum brownie points

Then all he has to do is open messenger and you can instigate the calls all the time. If it's getting MSN installed that's a bit more challenging. I'm sure there are other programs but I've never investigated them.

There are all sorts of programmes but all very similar.

AOLmessanger, yahoo messenger....but they all work the same way and IMO MSN gives best quality.

Could you install it and have a link on the desktop with the auto login..then you initiate call and he just clicks to accept.

oohh Auto assistance??? I didnt know that could happen - I'll have to investigate that - thanks! (Im not v IT literate either , but will give it a go).
Thanks!