Calling the Techies.

[Lumpy]

Son and family will be moving up to Lossiemouth in Jan.

I said about Skip-ping him as it is the only thing I have heard of.

He said I need to get an eye pad as we can massenger and face time for free.

I am so confused so..........HELP

Can anybody please explain to me, a techno numpty how an eye pad works and what I need to have to get it to work?

Does storage size matter? Does one work anywhere? Do I have to have a contract with a provider? etc etc

As the son is posted for at least 3 years I think that it will be the only way we see our Grandson grow up.

Please keep explanations very simple as I'm thick.

[DannyK]

What device are you using to access the Vine?

Unless you are using an old Blackberry most video messaging apps will work on most devices.

[Lumpy]

I have a 5 year old laptop using win 8 Danny.

[ChilliWilly]

I have a 5 year old laptop using win 8 Danny.

Does the laptop have a webcam built in? Usually a small lens on the top of the screen. If not you can buy a webcam that will plug in via USB to your laptop and install Skype onto the laptop. A webcam can be cheap, but you will be sending a low image quality. You can get a good one for around 40-50 quid, a touch cheaper than an Ipad!

Does that help?

[Jungle Jane]

When you get an eye pad storage size is if you want to put loads of music,photos & apps on there,skip-ping being one app,facetime,messenger etc,then when you get it you put your normal Internet providers key code in where it asks,it's really easy it's the same code you put into any lap top but it does search the area so you pick the one that's yours,choose it,then it asks for your code. You can take it anywhere with wi-fi like hotels,cafes or your garden & use it there,it makes a sound if you want (you can mute it) so when you get a notification you can get it out (I keep mine under the settee) have a look to see what the message is etc. So you don't have to be constantly using it,or have it open to know if you've got a message. If you have stuff on there,like a video you can plug the eye pad into your pc & save everything onto your pc. They are really handy little machines,very easy to use.

[Jungle Jane]

My daughters friends bring their eye pads & eye phones round here,add my Internet code then they get free wifi,I don't mind I switched ages ago to unlimited wifi so it's ok. But you'll be able to do that,take it with you on days out & face time each other wherever you are

[DannyK]

Unless you want to spend about £380 or more on an iPad stick with the laptop, which should run any of those video messaging apps. Unless your laptop is ancient it should have a webcam and a mike. The speakers may not be brilliant but should be ok for video calls.
Only ever used Skype, which works ok with contacts as far as Australia and Philippines. You can download it from https://www.skype.com/en/download-sk...e-for-windows/

iPads are marvellous devices, all singing all dancing and very portable. If you are thinking of getting one go to an Apple Store or a decent retailer like John Lewis where you can try one out and hopefully get some good advice. Avoid the likes of Currys.

[Lumpy]

Does the laptop have a webcam built in? Usually a small lens on the top of the screen. If not you can buy a webcam that will plug in via USB to your laptop and install Skype onto the laptop. A webcam can be cheap, but you will be sending a low image quality. You can get a good one for around 40-50 quid, a touch cheaper than an Ipad!

Does that help?

The laptop has a camera - I use it for pics of the veggies and dogs so that is why they are always blurry.

Is there something an i pod can do that my laptop can't?

My son said that being face to face as it were with him and his family would not cost anything if I had an i pod.

[Lumpy]

Unless you want to spend about £380 or more on an iPad stick with the laptop, which should run any of those video messaging apps. Unless your laptop is ancient it should have a webcam and a mike. The speakers may not be brilliant but should be ok for video calls.
Only ever used Skype, which works ok with contacts as far as Australia and Philippines. You can download it from https://www.skype.com/en/download-sk...e-for-windows/

iPads are marvellous devices, all singing all dancing and very portable. If you are thinking of getting one go to an Apple Store or a decent retailer like John Lewis where you can try one out and hopefully get some good advice. Avoid the likes of Currys.

After Crimbo I was thinking about a new laptop so if it will do all the contact things I need it too an i pod is a waste of time for me as I never take our mobile out - it has big buttons, no radio or camera.

[DannyK]

iPad, iPod is a music player.
Using the messaging apps is free, it's the device that's gonna cost!
The range of iPads is vast costing £380 to £800. Have a look at iPad - Apple (UK)
Don't be tempted by cheap tablets. There's some awful rubbish out there.

[Lumpy]

Thank you Danny K things techie are are small bit clearer now.

[DannyK]

Things have changed so much since I first started using computers in the 80s with the Revenue.
I've given up trying to keep up to date. You can even converse with your computer now rather than just swearing at it! Some mobiles will double up as firelighters!

Same advice for buying laptops. "Which?" has useful reviews.

[Nannysally99]

I have an I pad, and wouldn't be without it now
This FaceTime thing is flippin marvellous, it's free as well
We totally gave up Skype once we discovered it
Tis lovely just pushing a button and then seeing our daughter/grandchildren on the other end in real time

[Lumpy]

I am now getting a bit more confused..........bring back the paper, pen and abacus!

[sparrow100]

Facetime is an apple programme. It only works on eyepads and eyephones as far as I understand it. If your phone is not fruity, you'll need a different application.

If you have a non-fruit laptop you can skype instead, and if both you and son are on wifi the skyping is free cos you're calling his computer, not his phone.

Your laptop has a camera, it probably has a mike inbuilt too. But if you are using Skype, a skype headset (headphones and mikes, like the old telephone exchange stuff!) will get you better sound quality.

We use skype for calling overseas family - not everyone has an eyephone.

That's my ha'pennyworth.