Best ways to stay in touch

[Amy and Nick 37]

Just thought is start a thread on the best way to stay in touch.

Recently discovered Skype and MSN on phones (He got a verizon smartphone and im on 3 in the UK)

Its been a great way to send each other updates throughout the day, although MSN is touch and go.

Thought others may have advice of good/cheap platforms to stay in touch!

Good luck everyone!

[Val and Gary 29]

Skype with video link is our saviour!

Fantastic but frustrating all in the same breath.

Edited November 26, 2010 by Val and Gary

[ameribrit 37]

Agree with the above. We use skype for all of our communication.

Be it video, IM chat or using 'Skype to Go' when i just want to say 'Good morning' to Crystal, tell her how much i love her, and wish her a wonderful day, till we can speak again that night.

Also easy to get call, chat, and text logs, to use as secondary evidence for USCIS.

[nab 74]

IMing through any of the typical chat programs (MSN, Yahoo, Google, etc)

free calls through any of the above that offer that as well as Skype

international call plans on home phones .... some are $13-20 for 500 minutes depending on carrier. check your cable company, telephone company, internet provider for add-on deals. (mine is $20 but i dont pay for any add'l things, someone else told me they pay $13 for same thing but they also pay for cable service to get that price)

calling cards like Onesuite will give you option to print call log

you can also direct connect your computers and just type that way, depending on how computer geekish you are

Edited November 26, 2010 by nab

[dvs98 2]

We like to use my Ventrilo server http://www.maxfrag.net/ i purchased very cheap for a year and is crystal clear. Has the best sound quality i have heard so far from all the voip type services and i would highly suggest for anyone trying to keep in touch with a loved one. We also use Logitech's HD web cam program looks great and sounds great. Then of course MSN. We also post each other from time to time hand written notes have a certain charm to them. We have been doing this going on 2 years now and these things have been best for us.

[Scott and Mhay 57]

We used skype most of the time. I also found rebtel for making calls. It has a pretty cheap per minute rate (no connect fees). Best of all you can call from any phone.

[Markieboy 104]

Another vote for Skype!

Scott, thanks for the Rebtel suggestion! We've been using that for about a year now, and have saved quite a bit.

[Abby62 23]

We see each other and talk for free using FACETIME on our ipod touches. What a great investment and the best thing is that there's no charges and we can talk anywhere that there is wifi...oh and see each other..it's THE BEST!! I can walk and talk around the house and anywhere in the world we have wifi..it's super cool.

[keysjangle 145]

I have always used MSN for IM and any video chatting (with or without voice).

Besides that - a lot of texting. I added an international texting package to my plan with Rogers, $15 for 500 outgoing with free incoming.

[John & Marie 0]

yahoo, skype, any of those are good if there is a good internet connection but have found that when wanting to make calls magic jack for voice best 120 dollar investment i have made for me and my wife can talk all day long with it and use video on any of the messenger services works great

[Bob g 11]

My girl and I have used Yahoo Messenger with headsets, and webcams for over 2 years now. The Yahoo Messenger has a good call log history showing email addresses-time-date-minutes talked, that I print a sheet for each month, for secondary evidence for the Visa process. On the weekend often the sound or webcams do not work great, but during the week this is a very good form of communication.

[Abby62 23]

My hubby is flying over to Singapore for work today and we plan on tryintg to use the facetime through our ipods touches..there is supposed to be wifi on his plane and he's flying first class, so I can't wait to see if this works..:-)

[Burebista 3]

We use Yahoo Messenger, which provides both voice and webcam, almost daily. It's free. Pretty much the same for Skype, which I think may have better quality in both voice and webcam.

[JohnC811 4]

I use MSN and Vonage International Plan for $35 a month I can call her, or anyone anywhere else in The USA...is a great bargain for regular phone use no minutes CAP unlimited calls

Edited November 27, 2010 by JohnC811

[Brownie07 7]

We see each other and talk for free using FACETIME on our ipod touches. What a great investment and the best thing is that there's no charges and we can talk anywhere that there is wifi...oh and see each other..it's THE BEST!! I can walk and talk around the house and anywhere in the world we have wifi..it's super cool.

Thanks so much for mentioning FACETIME -- I've never heard of it AND I was planning to send an I Pod for Christmas -- bonus!