Skype

Hi,

Just thought I'd e-mail you to help us be able to contact each other easier. If you aren't hooked up to Skype yet, you can easily hook up by going to their website at http://Skype.com. You can just download the free version. Or you can sign up to the computer-to-phone version by just putting as little as $10 onto an account. This allows you to call anyone you put in by phoning them from your computer. You need to bring up your skype window, click on tools, and change your general options. You need to change the "show me as away" box to more than 5 min. (I put my to 60!) Otherwise, we can't skype you even if you have your computer turned on. You also need to change the "show me as not available" box so it doesn't tell us you aren't available, even if you are. I think it would help us be able to call you even if you're not sitting right at your computer. You can also adjust your sound and video settings so they fit your preference.

If you're not on skype, it's free and easy to hook up to. Computer-to-computer calls are free, and computer to phone calls cost .02/min almost everywhere in the world. If your computer doesn't have a built in mike, or if you want a camera, they are cheap. I bought mine at Radio Shack, a camera with a built-in mike, for $29.95. It's a Logitech, and works good. It makes it so you can see eachother while you are talking, or if you want, you can turn the camera off and leave the mike. You just talk normally, you don't have to push any buttons. When the Skype (computer) "rings," it brings up a button that you click on to answer. When you finish, just click the red button and it hangs up.

I know most of you already have skype, but maybe you haven't changed your settings yet. It's so fun to "Skype" you and get to see you as well as talk to you! We sure love you all!

Love, Dad.