Gadgets used for contacting the family when contracting away

[conned tractor]

What do people do when getting in touch with their loved ones when working away.

Assuming I will have broadband available, what is the best method of communication over two computers? Skype? Or are there better alternatives?

Also, will need to buy another computer solely for my wifes, very limitted, use. Mainly to be used when using Skype (or alternative) and she may use it for some internet browsing. Needs to have a built in webcam, cheaper the better, don't mind if it's pink. Laptop or netbook? Any recommendations?

[RichardCranium]

Also, will need to buy another computer solely for my wife's, very limited, use. Mainly to be used when using Skype (or alternative) and she may use it for some internet browsing. Needs to have a built in webcam, cheaper the better, don't mind if it's pink. Laptop or netbook? Any recommendations?

I would recommend you don't get her a netbook. I (now) have one and while it's great for use at ClientCo and on the train, for web browsing the small screen is a nuisance and, more importantly, your handsome visage will be displayed quite small. And for the cost of a netbook, you can get a laptop.

I would be inclined to go into my local independent IT shop and see what they have 2nd hand. £100 should easily get you a laptop with webcam and WiFi that will work a treat with Skype. If it is just or occasional use, what's the point buying a new machine?

[Clippy]

Also, will need to buy another computer solely for my wifes, very limitted, use. Mainly to be used when using Skype (or alternative) and she may use it for some internet browsing. Needs to have a built in webcam, cheaper the better, don't mind if it's pink. Laptop or netbook? Any recommendations?

Would suggest looking into the new CULV based laptops that are now available such as the Dell Vostro V13.

[TheFaQQer]

I've always just relied on mobile phones (with unlimited mobile-to-mobile minutes). My wife and I are usually apart for only a week at a time, but on occasions, maybe two or three weeks. Works for us.

WHS (apart from the unlimited minutes) - I have so much provided on my monthly contract, I can speak to the family every night for as long as we want to without incurring additional costs.

When I was in India for 6 weeks, I called from Skype to house phone and paid the small cost that it incurred (which I then claimed back from the company).

[conned tractor]

I would recommend you don't get her a netbook. I (now) have one and while it's great for use at ClientCo and on the train, for web browsing the small screen is a nuisance and, more importantly, your handsome visage will be displayed quite small. And for the cost of a netbook, you can get a laptop.

I would be inclined to go into my local independent IT shop and see what they have 2nd hand. £100 should easily get you a laptop with webcam and WiFi that will work a treat with Skype. If it is just or occasional use, what's the point buying a new machine?

Originally looked at the Dell 10v netbook and you're right there isn't much difference between the price of this and laptop. I could also save a few more pennies by buying a second hand P4 (ish) but wanted to buy a new one. Didn't you hear, I finally got a contract, and those unpaid invoices are burning a hole already.

Well done on your new contract by the way and I hope it is going well. Handsome visage? You must be thinking of someone else.

I've always just relied on mobile phones (with unlimited mobile-to-mobile minutes). My wife and I are usually apart for only a week at a time, but on occasions, maybe two or three weeks. Works for us.

I wanted some sort of video based communication so we can see each other naked. Only kidding, it's to see the kids and the kids see me. So they don't forget what their Daddy looks like.

Would suggest looking into the new CULV based laptops that are now available such as the Dell Vostro V13.

Mmmm, that Dell V13 looks quite good. I've always been into smaller laptops and have had my eye on the Toshiba R600 since it was the R500 and never found my pockets to be deep enough but that does look like a good poor mans (me) alternative. May consider this option to change my laptop and leave her my old one. (Dell XPS M1330).

WHS (apart from the unlimited minutes) - I have so much provided on my monthly contract, I can speak to the family every night for as long as we want to without incurring additional costs.

When I was in India for 6 weeks, I called from Skype to house phone and paid the small cost that it incurred (which I then claimed back from the company).

I will use the phone also, however, prefer the idea of seeing them all. I can't believe you've been banned by the way you always seem, to me, very helpful in your response. Am I allowed to say that? (And no, I don't want to really get involved in it all).


Thanks all for your answers, I will look into it further this week. I like the look of the Dell 10v and the Dell Vostro so far. Any more comments welcomed.

[FiveTimes]

I tried to setup webcam on laptop at home so I can video call using msn - however the laptop at home doesn't seem to recognize the built in microphone on the web cam.
My netbook has built in webcam and mic and works fine.

[NotAllThere]

I use NimBuzz as a skype client on my mobile. Works fine so long as I can find an unsecured wifi point.

[Clippy]

Would suggest looking into the new CULV based laptops that are now available such as the Dell Vostro V13.

Mmmm, that Dell V13 looks quite good. I've always been into smaller laptops and have had my eye on the Toshiba R600 since it was the R500 and never found my pockets to be deep enough but that does look like a good poor mans (me) alternative. May consider this option to change my laptop and leave her my old one. (Dell XPS M1330).

Just a note (of caution) - CULV based laptops sit between netbooks and 'fully fledged' laptops so, IMHO, I would not use it as a main laptop as there is a compromise in features to get them so thin - fewer external ports, no internal DVD drive etc.

If you do fancy a (Toshiba) one, why not check out Satellite T130?

[darmstadt]

A while ago I bough an ASUS F9S for while I'm away and didn't really want to carry the Thinkpad. It does all the multimedia stuff that I want, has a webcam and is still okay to run decent applications. It was running Vista but I've now installed Linux Mint 8 on it and it still does everything I want and some it does better.

[Fred Bloggs]

Handy thread this. All set to start a gig darn sarf within the next week or so. I intend to use my Laptop (Samsung R520) with built in webcam and mic to Skype to home in the evening. Previous gigs away, I've relied on mobile phones but I guessed it was time to get a bit more up to date with my practices.