What a completely amazing invention. Is it legal? Several of you lovely people out there suggested that I set up Skype in order for my youngest son to talk to his mate in Australia. This has taken me a long time to sort out. I have to be aware of something for a long time before I can begin to start imagining myself actually using it.
In order to set up something of this magnitude I have to physically pin one of my children in front of my computer and shout “HELP!” very loudly. This time it nearly didn’t work – my teenage son was so appalled with my stupidity that he stomped off in a huff. I kept repeating that I didn’t know which telephone number to call her on and he kept telling me that we didn’t need a telephone number and for some strange reason (age-related) I could not get my head around that. “Well of course I need a number, how are we going to find them if we just say a random name and then Australia….”mum, it goes through the computer, it’s like email…how stupid are you?”. I had to ignore his rude comments because I really needed his help.
Anyway, we get through and they answer the phone (oops not a phone) and suddenly my lovely friend is sitting looking really gorgous and brown with wet hair and sunglasses on her head and I’m sitting looking bleary eyed, in my dressing gown and sweating because they can’t hear us and I can’t find the microphone and then there’s a lot of shouting and she’s trying to read my lips and it’s all too weird and then she says “I can see your cat – it’s on the table behind you and I love being able to see you in your own house before everybody goes off to school just like I’m two minutes away as usual” ….
I let my 8 year old sit down to talk to his bestest friend in the world:
They sit and grin at each other.
“Go on say something”….I prompt.
He says “HOW’S THE POOL?”
His mate says “I HAVEN’T STARTED YET, I GO TO SCHOOL NEXT WEEK”
He says “HOW’S AUSTRALIA?”
long delay and then his mate replies “GOOD”.
“DO YOU LIKE VEGEMITE?”
Long delay and then,
“NOPE”
and so on. It’s rubbish. But it really doesn’t matter. I’m just delighted it’s free.
Mud in the City
January 30, 2009How brilliant is that! Well done for wrestling with technology for the greater good as well.
Nicola
January 30, 2009well done you! I have been meaning to set up skype for 2 years. Unfortunately sitting at the computer and yelling for help doesn’t do me the world of good when I have just a 5 and 3 yr old around to help (tho I am probably severly underestimating their technical capabilities – they are probably already way beyond mine). Hope you all have lots of fun with it. And love the boy conversation. Priceless.
somemothersdoaveem
Expat mum
January 30, 2009I am sort of tempted, but the thought of having to tart myself up every time I want to have a conversation puts me off a bit!
Fat, frumpy and fifty...
January 30, 2009well done girl!! I have uploaded this several times, BUT I dont know anyone with it..its free to talk isnt it??
marvellous technology eh??
ExAfrica
January 30, 2009I have just started using the video on Skype – before I only used the chat and phone. Both were quite good – with occasional bad connections. But hey – free is free.
Now – with my new video-built-in-camera crap I have to start washing my hair regularly. Bother.