It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's Skype!
My technologically gifted son (father of my equally gifted granddaughter) looked at my new laptop and pronounced, "Oh, it has a camera. You should get Skype." After a short explanation I found out that I could call anyone else in the world with Skype for free, and I could see the person I was talking to. Sounded cool, in fact I vaguely remembered hearing about it on Oprah, so I Googled the free download and left it sitting there on my computer not doing much with it for a day or so. It sounded like a good idea, but... The next day I mentioned it in conversation with my daughter who had also just gotten a new laptop with a camera in it and she decided to get the free download, also. We talked some more, went on to other subjects, then forgot about it. Imagine my surprise a few days later when this strange beeping sound started coming from my computer while I was browsing on ebay. All of a sudden a green telephone appeared on my screen. I clicked on it because it seemed like the thing to do, and there, in front of my eyes, was my daughter and Jackson (my furry, four-legged grandchild) staring at me from the computer screen. It was the 1967 World's Fair come to life! It was all the futuristic predictions of my youth, come home to roost. It was nothing short of a miracle! I was amazed, awed, and flabbergasted all at the same time. "Click my video on," she cried. I clicked another button on the menu and I could hear from her excitement that she too, was staring into my face. It was awesome! We just went on and on, laughing and saying how cool it was. The dog, not so easily impressed as we mere humans, chose not to look into the screen seeming a bit confused at hearing my voice come out of the computer. He caught on a bit later though and then he wanted to lick the screen (which I don't think is covered under the extended warranty).
It was only after about 5 more minutes of oohing and aaing that the full potential of this technology started to sink in. It's definitely one small step for the internet, one giant leap for long distance grandparenting. What could be more perfect? The download is free, and with it you can make free calls to any computer in the world with internet access and a camera.
It's the next best thing to grandma in a rocking chair on the front porch. Try it. You'll like it!
You can access the free download by clicking the link in my text above or at http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/
Don't forget to visit Nona Nita's Nook for more information and reviews of products for Enlightened Grandparenting and My Path Productions for information on Enlightened Living.
It was only after about 5 more minutes of oohing and aaing that the full potential of this technology started to sink in. It's definitely one small step for the internet, one giant leap for long distance grandparenting. What could be more perfect? The download is free, and with it you can make free calls to any computer in the world with internet access and a camera.
It's the next best thing to grandma in a rocking chair on the front porch. Try it. You'll like it!
You can access the free download by clicking the link in my text above or at http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windows/
Don't forget to visit Nona Nita's Nook for more information and reviews of products for Enlightened Grandparenting and My Path Productions for information on Enlightened Living.
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