Communication with someone abroad

[Frenchman96]

I have a neighbour who's son has gone to work in Germany and they wish to keep in touch by phone/pc the cheapest and best way. They were going to Tesco to buy 2 handsets at £14 each and they will give one to their son and both parties sit at their pc's to talk.

I suggested that there are several methods now like Messenger/V-Mail/Skype/ but dont know much about them and cost or effeciency, can you comment.

[dbarrow]

Any number of free programs, IMs, and even Pal Talk can be used to set up free voice communication via the web.
They all have their ups and downs but, as we have experienced, Pal Talk often offers reliable communication worldwide.

[Frenchman96]

Dbarrow

Thamks

[PeteF]

I suggested that there are several methods now like Messenger/V-Mail/Skype/ but dont know much about them and cost or effeciency, can you comment.

Again, I recommend Yahoo Messenger.
It's FREE and all you need is a mic & speakers on your PC.

Yahoo Messenger also has a PAY service with is accessible via
Messenger. It allows you to call anywhere on the globe to any
phone (PC to Phone) for very cheap rates. All you have to do
is get a Yahoo Phone card account. Late time I checked, PC to
Phone rates for international calls was about 4 cents per minute.

gudda, you are in the UK?
If so check the rates becasue it's probably different
country to country.

---pete---

[writeco]

Skype has free software that each party would download. Assuming that both parties were at their PC's, they could talk via the Internet and microphone and speakers of their PC. When using laptop with a headphone jack, the reception was great and, best of all, it was free. I use to use this connection between the States and the Middle East.

[Frenchman96]

Writeco

Yes I know of Skype, it sounds the same as MSN Messenger.

Since post, I have tried Messenger and it certainly works ok, must admit though, I am a bit old fashioned and quite happy with e-mails.

I think what I might find very handy is the time when I have a pc problem and it would be great if I had a one to one instruction with both having the same window open.

Thanks for reply