Do you use video messaging? (I think that's what I mean anyway - where you each have a webcam and see each other on screen and talk like on the phone?)

[BroccoliSpears]

Is that video messaging?

Dp is going to be away for a month or so and we want to set up webcams so he can chat to the children every day.

What service or application do you recommend?

skype

I've jsut linked up to Skype as we're now in Germany and all our family is in the UK. It's great! Totally free - well, apart from the Internet bill, but you can talk for as long as you want. I've hooked up to see all my family and DH's family have now bought cameras too. So the only expense is the camera (make sure it has a microphone, or your PC has).

Just Google Skype and the download is free. I still haven't found a catch!!

I was just going to say that, Wllies

The only trouble with skype is that it's illegal in the country dp is going to. Apparently people do still use it anyway, but if we found something legal I guess that would be even better.

you can just use MSn as normal.
open a messenger page and click teh icon to allow the use of webcam.

All I need for msn is a hotmail account, no?

Might be worth finding a travel advice site for the country he is going to, then, and find out what is legal? Or how much of a 'crime' it would be to use it? You can have videocalls on msn - is that legal there?

Also be aware that your connection speed can affect things with skype. If a poor/slow connection you may sometimes have to have only voice or only camera, otherwise it gets frustrating.

x-post with mamzon

yes, hotmail account to use msn mseesnger

what an impressive typo

Righty. Have dpwnloaded a variety of messenging systems. Hopefully something will do us. Thank you for the advice .

Is is somewhere like Saudi that DP is going to? DH says that msn will be blocked as well as skype (because government cna't control it) so more a problem that it won't work rather than that it's illegal. Apparantly one way round it is to go through a VPN server which costs around £20 for a year. (This is me typing what he's saying so come back if you need more info)

Not as strict as Saudi. He'll be in Dubai. I don't think it's blocked because I know some people use it, but I also know you're not supposed to. Will have to wait until he gets there and see.

I think we know someone who uses it there but he does it through a server. Good luck!

MSN Messenger. You don't need a hotmail account to use it, you can use any email.