Isn't technology marvelous? Especially if you're divorced or separated, here's an idea anyway.

[WideWebWitch]

I just thought this might be useful for any other amicably separated/divorced people out there - we set up a netmeeting with ex dh on the PC this evening which meant that he read ds a bedtime story (Mr Strong) from 200 miles away. It was wonderful, ds could see his dad and hear him, although not the other way round since we don't have a webcam/microphone (working on it). Still, ds talked to his dad on the phone and could see him at the same time on the PC screen and hear him through the speakers and it was sweet. We have done it before but this is the first time we've tried a bedtime story this way. Just thought this might be useful to someone somewhere!

THat is a lovely idea WWW. Its about time all this technology and gismos did something for families! Well done!

www, that's fantastic! could be just the thing for those who live miles and miles from grandparents as well.

That sounds great, WWW. What do you need - just a microphone and webcam (phone is not feasible here as we often can't get a line and it costs 37p/min anyway!)? Do you need any extra software or what programe do you use?

Suedonim and anyone else who's interested, the software is called netmeeting and is free from Microsoft. I was blindly following instructions from ex dh but seem to remember I downloaded it. Will see if I can find the site in a minute. Yes, if you want to talk over the internet and everything you need a microphone, speakers and a webcam. It would be good for you in Indonesia wouldn't it - you could talk for the cost of being online. I have to dial ex's IP address, which he gives me (don't know how you get that from your own machine though) and hey presto, it dials his machine and we can talk and see each other (well, he will be able to see us when we get a webcam). Will search and find out more.

The site for downloading it is here

Don't want to post it here since it gave me my own ip address but I just did a google search on "how do you get your own ip address" and it gave it to me.

Thanks very much, WWW! Will investigate that.